[FFML] [Eva][B5] Forgotten Warriors chapter 6

[Christopher Smith]

Uh, I thought I sent them on ahead a few days before. But if they didn't come 
through I have them all posted at 
http://www.darkscribes.org/site/author.php?user=3 including all my other work. 


On Sunday 10 May 2009 19:50:00 Ignacio Moreno wrote:
> Where can I find the firsts chapters??
>
> Kinai.
>
> 2009/5/9 Christopher Smith <webmaster at darkscribes.org>
>
> > The Latest and Greatest
> >
> > Forgotten Warriors
> > Chapter 6: Ikari's Shadow / Soul Diving
> > By: LD
> >
> > Disclaimer: See Part 1.
> >
> >        Asuka walked into a buzzing medlab, and she already knew the
> > reason. Nothing stood in her way as she made her way to the bed where
> > Shinji lay. Doctor Franklin was already looking him over, trying to get
> > him to
> > relax. Shinji however was panicking, Asuka could see the cold fear in his
> > eyes as he tried to speak to the doctor but Stephen couldn't communicate
> > with him.
> >        “Someone get a translator in here now,” Franklin demanded. Asuka
> > heard the language Shinji spoke and already knew she could speak with
> > him.
> >        Her eyes met his, and he immediately began to calm down. She was
> > probably the only familiar face he knew. Asuka spoke to him before
> > Franklin could say anything about it. “It's okay, he's a doctor,” Asuka
> > said in Japanese.
> >        Shinji nodded, “Are you alright? When I saw you you were...”
> >        Asuka shook her head, “I'm sorry, I'm not the Asuka you know.”
> >        Shinji didn't understand, “What do you mean? Asuka this isn't
> > funny, where am I?”
> >        Doctor Franklin broke in on the two, “You can talk with him?”
> >        Asuka answered him, “Yes, he's speaking Japanese and I know that
> > language. Never could read it though.”
> >        Franklin nodded, “It will do for now, see if you can calm him
> > down. I
> > don't want to risk a sedative right now.”
> >        Asuka was helpful in getting Shinji to cooperate. There were parts
> > where the boy seemed to already know what was about to be asked. After
> > he was satisfied that everything was alright with the boy he left the
> > room. Franklin left to make his report, but not before telling Asuka to
> > try and keep
> > him calm.
> >        Asuka stared at the boy intently, trying to figure out what to say
> > to
> > him. How was she going to tell him everything that had happened? What
> > could she say that would make the pain her words would bring any less?
> > Nothing really seemed appropriate, except for the truth.
> >        “What did you mean you aren't the Asuka I know?” he asked.
> >        Asuka sighed and sat down next to him in the chair she had grown
> > too familiar with, “I don't even know where to begin.”
> >        She noticed Shinji staring at her, looking her over, “You're
> > alright though? I saw Unit Two torn apart, I was afraid you were dead. I
> > should have tried harder to get to Unit One.”
> >        Asuka shook her head, “I'm sorry, but she is dead.”
> >        Shinji's widened in shock and guilt, but that didn't stop Asuka,
> > “She
> > died about two hundred years ago. She lived to the age of seventy-two and
> > then passed away quietly in her sleep surrounded by family. Everything
> > she had from when you knew her was already locked away in storage. We've
> > been keeping it all safe ever since.”
> >        If Shinji wasn't in shock before, he was getting close, “Two
> > hundred years?” Asuka nodded, watching the boys reaction. She could see
> > his hands begin to shake, followed by the rest of his body. “Touji,
> > Kensuke, Hikari, everyone, all dead?” Asuka nodded again, but this time
> > got up and sat next to him, placing her hand on his.
> >        “I don't know why I look like her. She was my ancestor yet I've
> > been seeing things in my mind as if I was her. Everything is strange
> > right now, and it's only going to get harder now that you've woken up. We
> > have things in our quarters you should see, perhaps there is something
> > there that will help you through this. I wish I knew.”
> >        Asuka saw the tears slide down his cheeks, and did the only thing
> > that
> > made sense to her. She pulled him into her arms and held him as he cried.
> > So deep was his sorrow she could feel it herself and shed a tear with him
> > in
> > rememberence of the people he had left behind. Neither of them noticed
> > the Vorlon turn and leave them together.
> >
> > --
> >
> >        “So what's his status Stephen?” Sheridan asked.
> >        Franklin rubbed the bridge of his nose as he answered, “Physically
> > he's alright, nothing I can find to hold him in Medlab. Ms. Soryu has
> > been acting as translator for him until she can get his English at least
> > up enough
> > to speak for himself. Seems he only speaks Japanese which has made any
> > communication difficult without her.”
> >        Hague spoke up at this, “Almost as if something or someone planned
> > it that way.”
> >        “I couldn't tell you General. All I can say is that he is as fit
> > for release
> > from Medlab as he can be. The rest is going to take a lot of time and
> > patience,” Franklin said.
> >        Sheridan nodded, “Thank you Doctor. I think the best thing to do
> > would
> > be to release him into the Soryu's care for now. Do what you can for him
> > Stephen.”
> >        Franklin nodded and left Sheridan's office. Hague stood and
> > watched the door the doctor had left through for a moment. “Are you
> > certain that's a
> > good idea John?”
> >        Sheridan knew what the General was asking, “No, but from what Dr.
> > Soryu has told us it makes the most sense. I'm more worried about this
> > hearing before the council.”
> >        Hague threw him a glance, “I thought you already had enough votes
> > from the Council to prevent the Centauri from getting their hands on the
> > two.”
> >        “It's not that. Ambassador Mollari knows he can't win on a
> > straight up
> > and down vote. Even if Earth abstained on this the Minbari, Narn, and
> > apparently the Vorlons now will vote against him. No, he's doing this for
> > show. I've got a bad feeling about this,” Sheridan admitted to the
> > General. The General nodded, “And what about Bester?”
> >        “He's been quiet, a little too quiet. He's doing just enough to be
> > annoying but hasn't tried anything. That telepathic kick back must have
> > rattled him.”
> >        Hague nodded, “I have to report back to the Joint Chiefs and the
> > President. I'll update them on the situation while you tend to the
> > Council. Keep your eyes open for anything.”
> >        “Have to around this place, but then again nothing is ever quiet
> > what it
> > seems,” Sheridan said as the General left the office.
> >
> > --
> >
> >        Asuka had left Shinji in Medlab to rest, trying to give him time
> > to adjust to what he was going through. She wasn't sure if it was right
> > to leave
> > him there, but she needed time as well. Everything had happened so fast
> > over such a short amount of time. Revelations into her families past had
> > felt
> > natural for a time. Now however it was all starting to set in, and she
> > didn't
> > know if she could handle it. The visions of a life not her own haunted
> > her. The pain and loneliness these images made her feel. Asuka was having
> > a hard time making sense of them all.
> >        So as Shinji rested she sat staring at a stone garden. The waves
> > in the sand meticulously cared for warping around each single stone. So
> > engrossed in her thoughts she never noticed the black clad figure of
> > Bester sit down next to her. The Psi-Cop sat there, patiently waiting as
> > he listened
> > to the thought noise she put out. He didn't have to be a telepath to know
> > what she was thinking or who she was thinking about right now.
> >        “You know, there are more ways to tell what a person is thinking
> > then
> > just being telepathic. It's in how they sit or stand, how they hold their
> > hands, or the look in their eyes. Just by looking at that I can tell that
> > you
> > are very troubled without even touching your mind or listening to what
> > ever thought noise you are putting off,” Bester said, trying to break the
> > ice. Asuka didn't know why but the thought of the image of herself being
> > mind raped came to mind at the sound of Bester's voice. She shivered as
> > she thought of it, turning to Bester and asking, “Can you see that
> > thought?”
> >        Bester took the question at it's face and looked at the image. As
> > much
> > as he flaunted his talents, even taking the liberties he would go after
> > lower
> > level telepaths, what he saw sickened him. He nodded as Asuka looked
> > back at the stone garden, “I've got a thousand thoughts just like it
> > running
> > in my head right now. You're a Psi-Cop, what would you call that one?”
> >        Bester choose his words carefully, “I'd call it telepathic rape,
> > something I'd hunt a man down for and probably have a convenient accident
> > with,” he admitted. After all, psi-cops were still human.
> >        “Is that what a deep scan is like?”
> >        “Similar, the further you dig the more damage you can do to
> > someones mind. It's why we have strict rules about how telepaths act and
> > use their abilities.”
> >        Asuka nodded, “I suppose I should be grateful, I'm not the one
> > that had to go through that. That was another girl with my face, my name.
> > I don't
> > understand though how those memories can be in my mind if I never lived
> > them. They belong to a girl dead for two centuries. I just have her face,
> > and
> > now I'm trying to reach out to a boy that saw those nightmares. Hell, he
> > suffered his own nightmares from that previous life. How can I even hope
> > to understand him when I can't make sense out of my own head?”
> >        Bester took in her words as she spoke. Her feelings were pouring
> > out of her mind like a sieve, one thought after another. It was a sad
> > truth that
> > telepaths had to shield themselves from this thought noise if only just
> > to stay sane. The voices were constant companions. Bester however picked
> > up on something in those thoughts, “You feel you owe him something that
> > this other Asuka couldn't do for him?”
> >        Asuka didn't respond. Bester continued, “All I can say is that
> > from what you've said you have come as close as any normal can to knowing
> > what a telepath feels. We hear peoples thoughts as loudly as if they
> > spoke them, and build up walls around our minds to filter them out. If we
> > didn't we'd go mad. Mental illness is unfortunately a part of the deal. A
> > lot of telepaths go insane during training just because they can't stand
> > the voices
> > always being present. Perhaps that's what makes us so mistrusted, the
> > fact that we can't even control ourselves at times.”
> >        Bester smiled, “But then again I don't think what you need to hear
> > are
> > the ramblings of an old Psi-Cop like me. The question becomes though,
> > regardless of where these memories are coming from what do you do? Yes,
> > they are thoughts from someone you never knew in your mind trying to find
> > purchase. But you are still the same girl who only a few days ago was
> > eager to see something that was strange and wonderfully scary. Who you
> > are doesn't change because a few memories show up out of no where.”
> >        Asuka let the words linger, playing them through her mind as her
> > eyes
> > traced the waves on the sand. Bester placed his gloved hand on her
> > shoulder, “Regardless of what has happened, if the circumstances were
> > more normal would you still be willing to help this boy? You already know
> > the answer to that question. That answer is all you need to know.”
> >        Bester stood and began to leave her to ponder his words. Before he
> > left she sent one thought straight at him.
> >        Thank you.
> >        The waves in the stone garden continued to remain immutable and
> > unchanging before Asuka's eyes until one of the stones was in place. She
> > just wondered which she was, the steady wave or the stone that changed
> > everything.
> > --
> >
> >        Garibaldi had been keeping an eye on Bester the whole time in one
> > way or the other. When he heard that little bastard was near Asuka he had
> > immediately went to drag him away. As he was turning the corner he almost
> > ran smack into the smug Psi-Cops face. Garibaldi could barely contain his
> > loathing for the smaller man. Bester usually would simply smirk at the
> > Chief
> > but this time simply ignored him.
> >        “You know I should lock you away for going near a minor without
> > their
> > parent or legal guardian available,” Garibaldi seethed.
> >        “Perhaps you could, however I have not violated any laws governing
> > telepaths or other people. I'm well within my legal authority to simply
> > try to
> > monitor anything that could be influenced by the Evangelion. Also, that
> > girls
> > mind has been flooded by thoughts and memories that aren't her own. A
> > little telepathic assistance would benefit her. This way she's not the
> > only one to have seen what's been put in her head. You'd be surprised how
> > that sometimes puts people at easy Mr. Garibaldi,” Bester said.
> > Garibaldi ground his teeth, “You still need written consent when it comes
> > to
> > a minor to even talk to them in any official capacity.”
> > Bester turned and regarded Garibaldi for a moment. The look in Bester's
> > eyes was something he hadn't had in the few times Micheal had dealt with
> > him, “Do you ever have any children Mr. Garibaldi?” Bester asked, already
> > knowing the answer.
> > “No.”
> > “I do. Any real father who saw that look on a child would have done the
> > same. Even if it wasn't his own,” Bester said. He then turned and left
> > Garibaldi in the corridor to chew on what had transpired.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Katharina stood before the behemoth, silently cursing men and women long
> > dead as she watched various tech attempt to unlock Eva's secrets. She
> > knew they would fail, hoped that no useful data would ever be taken from
> > this monstrosity. The nightmare that would result from humanity getting
> > it's
> > hands on this power again terrified her. Not to mention if it was
> > captured by
> > the other races. She trusted no one with this power. No one at all.
> > “Why couldn't you sleep for the rest of time and drift beyond the rim?
> > Why did you have to come here? Was it him? Did you finally find it in
> > yourself to
> > give him a chance without your interference?”
> > The old woman ran her fingers through her hair. Naturally her thoughts
> > were followed by nothing but silence. The log entries, reports, and
> > journals she had read from the NERV Project E Staff including Pilot Asuka
> > Langley Soryu were all very clear about the danger this beast posed. No
> > one would be safe should it loss control again as it was known to do. Or
> > the worst possible scenarios, should one of the other races get their
> > hands on this technology and the power it could bring. To say nothing
> > about the atrocities
> > that would be committed to feed this particular beast.
> > Her bones ached with worry over what horrors this beast brought with it.
> > She
> > turned away, quickly leaving the cargo bay. She had already been notified
> > by Captain Sheridan about arrangements for the boy. The covenant her
> > family had been sworn to by destiny demanded she do no less then help the
> > boy adjust. Though while she would do what she could for young Ikari, her
> > thoughts couldn't help but drift to her granddaughter.
> > It was selfish, but she was an old woman and allowed to worry about her
> > grandchild above interplanetary relations and ghosts.
> >
> > --
> >
> > The Council chamber filled with mummers as the various ambassadors
> > milled in. General Hague sat in the back watching the proceedings
> > carefully,
> > gaging the delegates as they took their seats. He knew the Narn and
> > Centauri had been making the rounds, but he was interested in how they
> > actually saw the situation. The general in him saw the entire situation
> > from
> > it's military and strategic aspect. The Evangelion and it's pilot were a
> > major
> > technological and military advantage for Earth. Allowing it to fall into
> > the
> > Centauri's hands while depriving Earth of it's technology was simply not
> > an option. The fact that the council would not allow the Centauri to
> > acquire either eased the older man's mind some. However he also knew that
> > Earth could not be allowed to gain this technology.
> > The President was growing more and more paranoid by the day. Knight
> > Watch, Ministry of Peace, and the Psi-Corp presented very real domestic
> > threats to the Alliance. Allowing Clark's people to potentially get their
> > hands on some technology they could abuse to their purposes was just as
> > dire a problem as allowing a foreign government the same technological
> > advantage. Something would have to be done in order to neutralize the
> > threat.
> > Ikari was just a boy, and yet he had presented one of the greatest
> > threats to
> > the Earth Alliances security and survival since the Earth-Minbari War.
> > The irony of it being that every bit of information they had found
> > pointed to him
> > having been put in this position to protect Earth. The universe had a
> > funny way of rewarding someone who made such a sacrifice.
> > He couldn't stop himself from imagining the reluctant warrior's battles,
> > his
> > struggles with what he was responsible for at an age where he was also
> > defining himself. Adolescence was hard enough, but when one was tasked
> > with protecting Earth at an age many years before he could volunteer for
> > what would become Earth Force military service. What was his life under
> > his commander? Prior to serving in this position of combat, did he have a
> > good life? They still hadn't translated any of the personnel files Dr.
> > Soryu
> > had provided. And even then Hague didn't expect any usable data save for
> > a service record.
> > While he wasn't thrilled with the Minbari involvement with those files he
> > didn't see any problems. Most of the information within those files more
> > then likely would come out in these very proceedings. It would hopefully
> > be minimal information, nothing anyone could use against them on either
> > side of their precarious perch. Sheridan could handle the council, and
> > most of the deep diving into the past could be handled by his people. It
> > was the two
> > children that held Hague's concern.
> > Bester sniffing around didn't make him comfortable, but he was
> > disciplined enough to keep his surface thoughts in check. Without a deep
> > scan he couldn't be found out, and anyone would be able to notice such a
> > thing. Something was protecting the boys mind according to Dr. Franklin,
> > something not entirely human and yet not an aggressive entity. For now it
> > wasn't an issue. The girl however would be.
> > The Minbari attache Lennier walked up to him and bowed, he presented the
> > General a file and said, “Captain Sheridan asked me to give you this as
> > he is indisposed with the proceedings and Commander Ivannova is in C&C.”
> > Hague opened the file and asked, “What am I looking at?”
> > “This is the translated personnel file on Mr. Ikari. Captain Sheridan
> > just received the translations from the native Japanese and requested you
> > be given a copy to look over while he was involved with Ambassador
> > Mollari and the Council's requested meeting.”
> > Politely Hague said, “Thank you Mr Lennier.”
> > The Minbari once again gave Hague a small bow and moved off to his
> > position next to Ambassador Delenn. He had to admit that as an ally the
> > Minbari ambassador was an asset. There was  certainly some mutual
> > respect between the Captain and most of the ambassadors.
> > Hague sat back and read of the file Lennier presented him. Perhaps it
> > would give him some insight into the Child Warrior they found themselves
> > with.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Sheridan had convened the session calmly as he could. He was outwardly
> > calm and confident as usual. He showed no indication of any worries or
> > weakness. Inside however he was cautious. Simply because the outcome
> > of these proceedings were pretty much a foregone conclusion was no
> > reason to drop his guard. He couldn't help but keep his eyes opened
> > looking for any subterfuge on the part of anybody at this point. Only his
> > people were
> > completely trustworthy. Even then they were only human.
> > The Captain continued to go over Ikari's personal file. The service
> > record was very impressive for someone his age ad no formal military
> > training. A few disciplinary marks were on the file, which after reading
> > left him wondering why they had come up. After all, this was a child they
> > were talking about. It seemed callous to expect him to act the role of
> > seasoned combat veteran so soon. Tough break for the kid and his fellows.
> > Still, to have faced down such a situation at such an age deserved a
> > level of respect from Sheridan. He looked up as the meeting began. He
> > still couldn't figure out what Londo was playing at. The ambassador was
> > making a strong argument towards having the kid taken back to Centauri
> > Prime for trial. No one in the council was believing it be anything but a
> > farce if that
> > happened.
> > “What are you playing at, Londo?” Sheridan thought to himself. He looked
> > at Kosh out of the corner of his eye. He hated it when things were hidden
> > under layers of dust and deceit.
> >
> > –
> >
> > While the fate of the young man was being debated, Asuka was leading
> > Shinji into the quarters she shared with her mother. The young woman had
> > already arranged some of the items her grandmother had sent along. When
> > they entered her quarters Shinji simply took off his shoes and set them
> > at the side of the door. Asuka was curious for a moment, but then shook
> > her head. Something in her head was telling her that that was a habit
> > borne of tradition.
> > She sat him down and went to the Babcom to order some dinner. When it
> > was done she turned and joined Shinji in the living area. She made sure
> > to remember to speak in Japanese for him as she asked, “So, what do you
> > want to ask?”
> > “Where exactly are we?” Shinji asked.
> > Asuka smiled, a simple question first, “We are on Babylon 5. It's a space
> > station run by Earth. I suppose you could also say we're in orbit of
> > Epsilon
> > Three, the third planet in the Epsilon Eridani star system. It's a three
> > day
> > jump back to Earth through hyperspace.”
> > Shinji shook his head, “We're in space?”
> > “Yup.”
> > “That's just...”
> > “I know, pretty freaky when it was just science fiction a couple
> > centuries ago,” Asuka said.
> > Shinji just shook his head, “Is Earth still there?”
> > Asuka handed him a drink and sat down, “Yup, Earth is still where you
> > left it. I haven't been on world for a couple of years though. Earthgov
> > keeps things pretty nice, of course there are some issues with the
> > planetary governments at times.”
> > Shinji was a bit confused, “Earthgov?”
> > Asuka smiled, “Think of it like the United Nations. The UN was dissolved
> > and the Earth Alliance setup near the end of the twenty-first century. We
> > left
> > Earth and colonized Mars first. People wanted to go out further so over
> > time
> > we sent out ships with people in cold sleep.”
> > “That seems like a long time to get here. Why go through all that
> > trouble?” Shinji asked.
> > Asuka smirked, “A little over a hundred years ago we made first contact
> > with the Centauri Republic. We got Jumpgate and Jumdrive technology from
> > them. I don't understand all the astrophysics behind it, but for all
> > intents
> > and purposes distances in Hyperspace are shorter then in Normal space. A
> > trip from here to Earth would be three days by hyperspace, where in
> > normal space it would take hundreds of years.”
> > “I... think I understand,” Shinji said, sounding more then a little
> > confused.
> > Asuka chuckled, “Don't worry, a lot of people who grew up with this stuff
> > don't understand it. It just is.”
> > The door chimed breaking up their conversation. Asuka went and checked
> > the door screen, seeing it was just the delivery man. She opened the
> > door, paid him his credits, and then brought it in. She had ordered a
> > pizza from the Zocolo, nothing special and brought out two plates for her
> > and Shinji. They sat there eating in a companionable silence. Asuka
> > asked,
> > “Grandmother brought a lot of things from Earth with her. I think a few
> > of them are yours.”
> > Shinji looked up at that, “How would your grandmother have anything of
> > mine?”
> > “Apparently our ancestor packed up everything from Tokyo-3 and put it in
> > storage. It's been in the family ever since. In fact...” Asuka left the
> > table
> > and went to one of the storage closets. She opened it up and dragged out
> > a familiar if dusty cello case.
> > “I am guessing this is yours,” Asuka said.
> > Shinji took the case and looked it over. The embossed initials, SI, still
> > visible. He opened the case and inspected the carefully preserved
> > instrument, confirming that it was in fact his. “I'm surprised she kept
> > any of
> > it.”
> > “Why don't you play a few chords, see if it needs anything. Strings
> > should only be a few credits if you need them,” Asuka recommended.
> > Shinji blushed lightly as he set the cello against his shoulder and sat
> > down,
> > “I'm not very good.”
> > Asuka just smiled encouragingly, “Humor me. Just play, nothing specific.”
> > Shinji sighed and couldn't help but smile back. He did as she requested,
> > and closed his eyes as he drew the bow across the strings. The sounds and
> > tones carried through the Soryu quarters drew the young girl in. There
> > was nothing completely recognizable about the piece, but she could feel
> > his sorrow and pain through the music. It was so horrifically beautiful
> > she couldn't restrain the tears from slipping from her eyes.
> > When Shinji finished she felt her hands clap on their own. “For someone
> > whose not very good, you play wonderfully.”
> > The unfamiliar praise from a face he had never known to be anything but
> > scornful caused him to blush even more. “Thank you.”
> > Asuka brightened up a little bit with an idea, “Come on, pack up your
> > cello and follow me.”
> > “Where are we going?” Shinji asked.
> > “The garden.”
> >
> > –
> >
> > “He knows this is a lost cause. I can tell. He's doing this because his
> > government says so. Still, he had to have told them the situation. So why
> > are they doing this?” Sheridan thought to himself as Londo made his case.
> > He still couldn't come up with any reason for it though.
> > “The boy in question single handedly destroyed one of our warships, in
> > Centauri space on routine patrol. Such an act cannot go unpunished. As
> > the original attack occurred within our borders, it is only fair and
> > right that he
> > be remanded to our custody for trial, to answer for the deaths of our
> > people
> > he caused,” Londo said, his voice brimming with bravado he didn't feel.
> > “Also, the female human is obviously an accomplice to the boy. As such
> > she faces charges as well before the Centaurum. Extradition of suspected
> > criminals is allowed under our treaties with Earth and by consent of this
> > council,” Londo said.
> > Before anyone could speak Kosh simply said, “First strike.”
> > Londo barely paused, “The boy failed to respond to hails in both Centauri
> > and Interlac. Fighters were dispatched to intercept the Evangelion.”
> > “But, by your own governments admission and the sensor log data your
> > fighters fired first. With no confirmation of hostility or intent your
> > people
> > attacked. Why would your people do that when there was no threat being
> > made?” Delenn mentioned.
> > “We are in the middle of hostilities with the Narn. Sector 1138 lays upon
> > our
> > border with the Narn. It was perfectly reasonable to assume the object
> > was hostile when it crossed into our space,” Londo said. Sheridan had to
> > give him credit, his reasoning was perfectly logical.
> > G'Kar stood up and demanded, “You lost one Warship, while my people lost
> > several. Why should the Centauri be given preference over our losses?”
> > “We were the first harmed by the boy and his monstrosity. It only makes
> > sense we get first right to try him,” Londo said.
> > Kosh stepped forward, “Ghosts of past wars, cannot stand on the
> > battlefield.”
> > Londo was understandably confused, as were many in the council chamber.
> > Sheridan smirked, “I think what Ambassador Kosh is saying is that you
> > can't confirm he was even in there when the attacks occur. For all we
> > know, your attack activated an automated defense system.”
> > Londo looked stumped for a moment. Sheridan decided to take pity on the
> > ambassador, “I'm releasing all information related to the case for all
> > Ambassadors to evaluate. This includes copies of several files that we
> > just received from Earth and are translating. We'll reconvene here
> > tomorrow, and see if we can't resolve this.”
> > Londo just turned and left the council room, Vir shrugging and heading
> > off in
> > his wake. The rest of the ambassadors and their assistants left shortly
> > after. As they did General Hague approached the Captain, “Putting all
> > your cards on the table?”
> > “Seems best, get everything out in the open so it can do the most good.
> > With that, no one will be able to make a play for the Evangelion without
> > the
> > others getting defensive. Same goes for us,” Sheridan said.
> > “You are playing a dangerous game, John. I just hope you have one hell of
> > a poker face,” Hague responded. He left the council chambers, leaving
> > Sheridan and Kosh alone.
> > John turned to the enigmatic ambassador and said, “Time to put some
> > ghosts to rest.”
> > Kosh merely nodded and returned to his quarters.
> >
> > –
> >
> > Garibaldi sighed as he made his rounds through the station. All the
> > ambassadors were safely packed away in their quarters looking over the
> > stuff the Captain gave them. Down-below was quiet for the most part. And
> > except for a couple of warships hanging around outside the station no one
> > was expected through the gate for a few hours. All in all everything was
> > very peaceful. So he was ready for the worst.
> > He was walking throw the passenger terminal when he saw a familiar
> > Minbari coming through customs. He shook his head and met her as she
> > walked towards the rest of the station. He didn't mind seeing this
> > Minbari, just wished she had given him fair warning, “Shaal Mayan, what a
> > pleasant surprise. If I had known you were coming I would have arranged
> > for security.”
> > Mayan simply smiled at him, “I know, and I am honored for your concern
> > for my safety, Mr. Garibaldi.”
> > Micheal just smiled, “You got attacked on my watch, I'm not wanting to
> > let that happen again.”
> > “With everything going on I doubt you have to worry about me,” the
> > Minbari poet said.
> > “Exactly, it's not exactly the safest time to be around here,” Garibaldi
> > said
> > as he walked her to pick up her bags.
> > “Which makes this a time when someone like myself is most needed. If
> > only to provide hope for the many caught here,” Shaal Mayan said, a small
> > smile on her face.
> > Garibaldi's link interrupted their conversation, “Garibaldi, go.”
> > Zack's voice came over the link, “Chief, I got something going on down in
> > the garden. Nothing serious but you might want to come take a look.”
> > “What's going on?”
> > “Looks like Shinji's putting on an impromptu performance. He's got a bit
> > of a
> > crowd gathering but nothing out of control just yet,” Zack said.
> > Garibaldi thought on it for a second, then asked, “What's he doing?”
> > “Playing a cello. Nothing I recognize but I'm not a fan,” Zack said.
> > “Alright, I'll check it out. Garibaldi out,” he said then signed off his
> > link.
> > He looked at Mayan and said, “You know, you might be interested in this.”
> >
> > –
> >
> > When the pair arrived at the Garden it was to a deep mournful sound. Many
> > people seemed to have taken up seats or were standing near the walls
> > listening to the music produced from the deep polished wood of Shinji's
> > cello. Garibaldi had to admit, he didn't know much about this kind of
> > music but the kid was good. He spotted Zack on one side of the group, and
> > nodded when he caught his subordinates eye. He kept any eye on the crowd,
> > looking for anything dangerous. He spotted Bester a ways away, and his
> > skin crawled as the Psi-Cop looked his way and did that wave of his.
> > Mayan simply closed her eyes, letting the music flow through her. When it
> > was complete she found herself wiping away a single tear, “He is most
> > skilled. I have rarely encountered someone so capable of conveying such a
> > complete view of their own soul.”
> > Micheal took it for what he could, “I'm not much of a music buff myself.”
> > Mayan smiled, “For a true master, one doesn't have to have an
> > appreciation, but simply ears with which to listen. With time he could
> > easily
> > become such.”
> > “I'll take your word for it. Right now my priority is keeping him and his
> > red
> > haired friend safe. He's part of the reason for all the fuss around here
> > lately.”
> > Mayan paused for a moment, “Then perhaps I truly have come to he right
> > place, at the right time.”
> > Garibaldi just shook his head and excused himself. Sometimes he really
> > didn't get the Minbari, but he didn't mind them so much. The Psi-Cop
> > however was a different story. He walked over toward Bester and glared at
> > him before saying, “I suppose you are just enjoying the performance?”
> > Bester smirked, “I happen to have an appreciation for art. Is that such a
> > surprise, Mr. Garibaldi?”
> > “Yea, you and everyone else I run into today.”
> > Bester chuckled, “Something interesting I find about this boy. He's not
> > putting off any thought noise.”
> > Garibaldi decided to forgo his indignation and asked, “So?”
> > Bester looked thoughtful for a moment, “There is a theory running around
> > the corp. Everyone, normal and teep, is set up when they are born to
> > transmit their thoughts to the world. Most normals don't make much of a
> > distinction when it comes to their thoughts, they think being able to
> > hear any thoughts is a scan. For all intents and purposes neither does
> > the corp. However, it's like talking in an apartment with thin walls, and
> > being offended
> > when your neighbor hears you screaming in the other room.
> > “Telepaths build up walls to block out as much of this casual noise as
> > possible, mostly for our own sanity. Now, while we can block out most of
> > the noise, and while everyone can learn techniques to  keep casual scans
> > out it is never completely quiet.”
> > “So?”
> > Bester smirked, “A few members of the corp started talking about the
> > possibility of someone who has no transmission capabilities. A sort of
> > perfect block. Even a P-twelve wouldn't be able to break through because
> > in effect there is nothing there.”
> > Garibaldi was confused, “You're saying he doesn't have a mind to read?”
> > Bester shook his head, “More along the lines of his mind working on a
> > completely incompatible frequency to everyone else's. A few scientist I
> > know actually think that everyone in someway has telepathic perception of
> > some kind. Nothing like what a member of the corp is, but that little bit
> > of
> > perception that lets you know someone is watching you. If they are to be
> > believed, then it would be something we'd never notice, but be completely
> > used to.”
> > Micheal was starting to get annoyed, more so then usual, “Your point?”
> > Bester just graced him with that condescending smile, “My point is
> > simple, Mr. Garibaldi. If you don't have that psychic connection to the
> > rest of the world, then how do you think the world would seem? Think
> > about it.” Bester pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning on and
> > with a wave was gone.  Micheal just turned and watched the pair as Shinji
> > finished up whatever it was he was playing. As he boy started playing
> > another piece Micheal couldn't recognize he remembered Mayan and got a
> > crazy idea in his head.
> > He tapped his link and said, “Garibaldi to Ambassador Delenn, an old
> > friend of yours is down in the garden.”
> >
> > To Be Continued...
> >
> > Authors Notes: Still working on it, and bringing in another Character
> > which might be interesting over time. If you haven't watched Babylon 5,
> > then shame on all of you. I hope this was worth the wait. Also, Isamu is
> > no longer helping with this story, mostly because he's vanished into the
> > either.
> >
> > Prereading done by Datdude. You know, dat one... dat dude right over
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