I'm sorry about the delay in postings, but the real world has been a real bi with my family lately. Hope you like this chapter, and there is still a little more to come.

Chapter 64

Luke Douglas's Office:

Luke saw Jeff Grove was smiling as he entered the office, "I take it your negotiations with Lennon were successful so far?"

"Yes sir, very successful. He was more than ready to allow some of our engineers to help them with their project, and he has agreed to let them study the systems of the new ship very minutely. The auto repair systems and the hull material alone make it a worthwhile deal. Let alone the other systems."

"I'm glad to hear it Jeff. But don't forget about our other projects."

"Oh no sir."

"How is project V coming along?"

"Rather well sir, the design team has managed to drop the energy requirements by another 3 percent. With any luck, we should be able to drop it another 3 or 4 percent before the final production run."

"Have they worked out the hyperspace glitch yet?"

"They believe that they have sir. We are going to be retesting the system in about 2 weeks to be sure."

"Good. Keep me updated."

"Yes sir."

Luke could see that Jeff looked like he wanted to say something. "What's wrong Jeff?"

"Oh, uh nothing sir."

Luke just looked at him, "Jeff"

"Well sir, the others were wondering why we need this project sir?"

"Would you believe future revenues."

Now Jeff just looked at him, "Right sir."

Luke looked at him and smiled, "Well Jeff, you're right. Look at this project as our ace in the hole. We won't be selling it to anyone, and until people find out about it, it gives our people just a little more of an edge."

Jeff relaxed a little, "So we're not going to be selling it sir."

"No Jeff, we're not."

Now Jeff relaxed, "I'll let the design teams know that sir. It will be a load off everyone's minds."

Now Luke looked at Jeff, "Did you ask Lennon about the other item?"

"Yes sir. He said that they looked familiar, but he was unsure. He said he would have to check the Anla-Shok archives to be certain sir."

"Did you believe him Jeff?"

Jeff hesitated for a moment. "I want to sir, but I think he knows more than he is saying."

Now Luke sat back in his chair, "I'm not surprised Jeff. Lennon reminds me a lot of General James Taggert."

"How so sir?"

"Well Jeff, Lennon, like the general, has a lot on his plate. And he has people that he has to answer to. I'm sure that he'll tell us what he can, but it may not be everything he knows."

Now Jeff sat down, "It sounds a lot like back home sir."

Now Luke smiled, "It would seem that they're a lot like us, eh Jeff."

Now both men smiled a little, and Jeff was just nodding his head, "Yes sir."

Luke looked at Jeff, "How are things set for Ricardo and Heidi?"

"Every thing's set now sir. We've averted a few minor catastrophes, and found fixes for the rest."

"Such as?"

"Well the meals for one, some of the guest's have certain needs. But we finally have that one solved. And we've had to add a little more security for Ricardo's guests."

"Good, this is one operation that I want to go off without a hitch. Anything else?"

"Yes sir. As for the dance, well my wife has volunteered to help on that, she keeps reminding me that we don't do it enough."

Luke held down his laugh, "Terry tells me the same thing. I think they may be comparing notes."

Jeff just shook his head a little, "If they are, you know we're doomed."

Luke smiled at Jeff, "One of the joys Jeff, just one of the joys."

Now Luke and Jeff began to go over the reports from the team that they had sent to the B4 construction site.

Lennon's guest suite Vega 3:

Lennon and the others were sitting in the front room, and Megan was standing out on the balcony and staring at the Star Port below. "Your thoughts seem distracted Megan."

She turned toward the voice, "I'm sorry Lennon, it's just so incredible. To think that my people have done so much in such a short time."

Lennon joined her on the balcony, "Yes it is. But what were their choices. From what you have told me, you couldn't return home. So your people have made a new home for themselves here."

"I know that Lennon, but it is still so incredible."

He looked in her eyes, "Do you regret the choice you made?"

She first looked at him, and he could see the shock in her eyes. Then he saw the understanding come over her, and she relaxed. "No Lennon, I don't. What I've done and learned with the Anla-Shok are memories that I will cherish forever. But a small part of me will always wonder."

He smiled at her like her grandfather always had and put his arm around her shoulders. "We all have that little bit of questioning and doubt inside of us Megan. I to sometimes wonder how my life might have been different if I had listened to my father and just stayed with the warrior caste."

"Do you regret the choices that you made?"

He smiled again, and then slowly shook his head. "No Megan, I do not. Because if I had not made them, then I would not have ever met you child."

She leaned her head against his shoulder, "Thank you Lennon."

He gently squeezed her shoulder as they looked out at the star port and the stars.

Megan looked up at Lennon, and she saw something in his eyes. "What's wrong Lennon?"

He tried to smile, "Oh nothing Megan."

She turned toward him, and she knew it was socially wrong to say to a Minbari that he was lying. Especially when the minbari was an elder, and your boss. So with a small smile, she looked at him. "You're fibbing Lennon"

He just looked at her quizzically for a moment trying to figure out the word. Then he smiled, "Maybe just a little."

"Then what's wrong?"

He sighed, "I am trying to figure out a way to answer a question that Jeff asked me."

"Can't you just tell him the truth?"

Lennon looked at her, "That's my problem. As you know, the truth is a three edged sword. My truth, your truth, and the real truth. I just have to determine which truth to tell him."

After having been with the Minbari, Megan felt she actually understood his answer. "I'm sure you'll figure out what to do Lennon, you always do."

Lennon just nodded his head, "I will meditate on it. The proper truth will come to me." They stepped back into the front room and Lennon said his good nights. The pilot soon left for his room, and Nossan and Megan were alone in the front room.

Nossan looked at Megan, "This trip has seemed to agree with you Meg."

"It was nice seeing my old friends, and seeing what they've done here."

The two of them sat on the couch, and Nossan placed his arm around her. "You know Meg, if you want, I could..." and he whispered in her ear.

Megan looked at him slightly shocked, "Right here in the front room?"

He smiled, "I will be quiet, if you will."

She just looked at him, "Like the last time?"

He actually blushed a little, "Well I would have then, if you hadn't used the ice cube."

She smiled at him wickedly now and they started to kiss. In his room, Lennon heard the sounds coming from the front room. He smiled and began his meditations again.

Jeff Groves office:

Jeff looked across the table at Lennon, and saw that he looked a little distracted. "What's wrong Lennon? You seem a million miles away from here."

Lennon looked at him and smiled a little. "I am sorry Jeff. I was still thinking about what you asked me yesterday."

"About the ships?"

"Yes Jeff, about the ships."

Lennon sat back a little, "I have decided to tell you what I can about them Jeff. Although it may upset some of the people back on Minbar."

Jeff nodded, "May I record this?"

Lennon nodded, and Jeff went to his desk and picked up the recorder in his desk drawer. After he sat down and activated it, Lennon started. "The ships you asked me about are known to the Anla-Shok. They are servants of the shadows, known as the Drahk. Their souls are almost as dark as that of their masters. Like their masters, they do not like to make themselves known to others. Their ships are almost equal to Minbari ships, but definitely better than the other younger races. But what I am curious about is why you asked me about them?"

Jeff looked at him and turned off the recorder. "A while ago, Luke was informed by certain people in Earth force, that the accidents with the Babylon stations may not have been accidents. At the site of the third station, the Earth force had extra surveillance set up, and they detected these ships. They had made quiet inquiries about them, but hadn't received any answers about them."

Now Lennon was nodding his head, "And these people in Earth force believe that perhaps these ships had something to do with the accidents?"

"They think so, but they don't have any real proof."

"So that is why your people were asked to provide protection for the new station."

"Yes, because we're technically neutral, the major powers wouldn't see us as trying to take over the project. And no one group would feel threatened."

Now Lennon smiled, "This idea came from the Earth Alliance president?"

Jeff just shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised. Why do you ask?"

Lennon looked at Jeff now, "She has always seemed like a wise leader to me. By doing things this way, she is trying to guarantee the completion of the station, without... Oh what is that phrase? Clomping on anybodies fingers?"

Jeff smiled now, "I think you mean stepping on anyone's toes."

Lennon just nodded, "Yes that is what I meant."

"Well I've only met her once, with the admiral. But I think you're right, this would be the best way for her to make sure the station gets built, and not seem like the Earth Alliance is making a grab for power."

Lennon made up his mind, "Jeff, I will send you everything I can about the Drahk and their ships when I return to Minbar. Now I believe we have some more points to go over." They started going over the agreement again.

2 weeks later:

Jeff Grove was going through the mail and parcels on his desk, when he found one that had no label or name on it. He reached in his desk drawer and took out a small scanning device, and passed it over the package. The scanner showed no signs of explosives or toxic chemicals, so he opened it slowly. Inside he found a note and a data crystal. The note read, "Jeff, I hope this helps you and your friends in their current endeavors." and a series of numbers. He placed the crystal in the reader on his desk, and typed in the numbers. Soon he saw the data on the drahk ships, and as soon as it was done, he made a copy of the information and called Mr. Ellison. "Stanley, I have some Intel data that you and your people will want to go over ASAP."

"I'll be right there sir."

After Stanley arrived, they watched the data again, and Stanley was just rubbing his chin. "Sir, I'll need to get this to my analysts right away, and then get the information to our people at the B4 construction site."

"I agree. This Intel is to be Eyes Only to the Intel team, and the Captains at the site. And I want a full briefing for the Admiral right away."

"Yes sir."

Stanley took the data copy, and headed to his department. Jeff locked his crystal in his safe, and went back to his desk and looked at the paperwork he still had to do.