Sailing of Fates
The Security Council of Babylon 5 met in an interior room that Jeffrey Sinclair often called the Sanctum. But, he thought wryly, the word sanctum portrayed peace...quiet...neither of which the room was having at that moment. Londo Mollari was loud in his urgings. It was days like this that Jeff wanted John Sheridan to be the 'military governor' and him the Earth Force combat commander. He rubbed his eyes and tried to keep his attention on Londo without thinking evil thoughts about the ambassador.
"This council is ineffective with two of its members gone. What purpose does it serve if we cannot vote? First G'Kar takes off for places unknown and then Delenn goes into a cocoon. What are we supposed to think? That personal lives are more important than our jobs here?"
Jeff sighed. "Londo."
Na'Toth raised her head. Her voice was gentle for a Narn and but it still carried the strength that the species were known for. "G'Kar has flown on a mission that is of utmost importance, Ambassador Mollari. He will return when this job is complete. And not before."
Londo nodded, pursing his lips. His short arms flew to the side, as if to say 'I should have expected that answer'. "That is all well and good, Na'Toth...but that does not help us any."
The emissary for the Narn Regime shrugged, her position still relaxed. "As you say, Ambassador Mollari. I have nothing else to say."
Londo sighed so loudly that even Sinclair cringed with the sound. "And Lennier...what of Delenn?"
"She is indisposed at the moment, Ambassador Mollari. I am to speak for the Minbar government until her return."
Jeff looked at Lennier, and saw the narrowed eyes of the Minbari. Although he had only been on Babylon 5 for a few months, it appeared that the young Minbari was much older now. "And EarthForce has accepted the substitution."
"As if EarthForce would have done any differently." Londo grumbled. "Your Earthdome is always at the whim of the Minbar government, Sinclair. I, speaking for the Centauri Empire, do not accept this replacement...on neither the Narn nor the Minbari side. I vote we dissolve the council until the missing members return."
Lennier turned sideways in his chair to look at Jeff. The raising of his eyebrows alerted Sinclair to the fact that this was an unforeseen event. Movement at the end of the table drew the Captain's gaze to Kosh, who up to that point, had stood silently. The Vorlon's head shook gently from side to side.
For once, and without question, Sinclair agreed. "I say we only suspend the actions of this council until that time, Londo. I put the motion on the floor for a vote...is it seconded?"
Na'Toth inclined her head.
"All in favor?" Jeff asked, reaching for the gavel.
Lennier, Kosh, Na'Toth and he all gave their assent. Keeping the Centauri ambassador in his sights, Jeff banged the gavel with force against the table. "Then the council is hereby suspended, not..." he raised a finger "dissolved. We will reconvene in two days to assess the position of this council."
Londo pursed his lips and turned, without a word, and retreated out the door. Na'Toth, after a silent look of gratitude to Jeff, left also. Lennier rose and exited after bowing to the Captain. Finally, Kosh moved along the wall, silently, as if floating, and left the room.
And the room again became the Sanctum that Jeff had named it. But the room, for all its regained quiet, was totally useless. Jeff rose, and gathered his papers, and turned to Sheridan.who stood against the wall.
"That was well done, Sinclair." Sheridan commented. "You threw Londo off guard."
"It is how it always is in here.reminds me of playing chess...only with worlds and real soldiers as opposed to pawns or knights or queens." Jeff shook his head, pulling down on his jacket. "So...this is what happens in here, Sheridan. Games. That is all."
"Well, I could always help."
Jeff stopped and glared at Sheridan. "You could...but you won't," he said quietly and left the room as well.
**
The lights in the main corridor were kept low in an effort to soothe frayed nerves at the end of long days. For the most part it worked. Both Zack and Garibaldi usually saw a decrease in the number of fights in the evening hours. The evening in question was not unlike the others. The two of them sat in the main security office staring at the camera views. Garibaldi reclined in his chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Zack was opposite his superior officer, his chin resting on his hand.
"Doesn't this ever tire you out, Chief?" Zack asked, not bothering to turn his head.
"No...if I need to know most of everything happening on this station, I need to watch everything happening on this station. And I try my level best to do it." Garibaldi answered, his voice betraying his preoccupation with the screens in front of him. "Damn."
Zack turned slightly in his chair to view Mike. "What's up?"
"The camera catches the main door to the officer's gym."
"And?"
"Damn, that woman has some legs on her." Garibaldi shook his head and reached forward to press the button to switch the camera angle.
"What is it, Chief?" Zack was out of his chair and around the main console before Michael could completely change the angle.
"Just a woman on her way to the saunas," Michael tilted his head to the side and opened his eyes wide.
Zack cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes at the screen. The woman walked along the dim side corridor; a towel wrapped around torso, leaving her arms and legs bare. Her long hair was unbound and swaying gently in time with strides. Her skin seemed tawny in the light. She stopped as the towels that she held slipped from her grip. One of her legs stepped ahead of the other to allow her to catch the articles before they fell to the floor. The movement bared more skin than should have been legal. Zack looked away. It just didn't feel...well...right to be seeing the woman like this...though the woman did look very familiar.
"Chief.that's..."
"Hmmm..." Mike tilted his head as the woman lost her grip on the towel and it tumbled to the ground. She bent at the waist to get the cloth.
"It's Commander Ivanova."
"Hmmm..."Mike answered, tilting his head further. He glanced at the woman's legs and then at her face, as she swept her hair aside. Her face came into clear view. With a low whistle, he pushed back from the desk. "Hot damn, it is Iv-"
"Garibaldi."
Mike took a deep breath and lowered his head. Zack quickly walked back around the desk and tried to get into his chair before Jeff Sinclair made it fully in the room.
"Hey, Captain." Garibaldi started, turning the chair slightly and reaching out slowly to change the camera angle to another hall.
Jeff walked forward and leaned forward to look at the monitor. "I was thinking it was a fight or a code in progress...I should have known it was a woman." Jeff's brown eyes squinted, and his heavy brows lowered in a frown as he realized who the woman was. Susan had regained her balance and was settling her towels once more. Her right leg was still out in front of her left one and the towel continued to conceal very little.
Mike could tell Sinclair was mesmerized and kept the angle for another few minutes until Susan moved down the corridor and around the corner. The interest in Jeff's eyes was naked for viewing...the brown depths swirled with warmth. Garibaldi switched the camera to the main corridor. Zack rose and walked to the door. "Chief...I'm going down to the Zocalo and check on the status there.you know how they get this time of night."
Garibaldi nodded, but his assistant had already left. By the time that his attention was completely back on the Captain, Jeff had slammed a wall down over the emotion that had been visible. "Jeff."
"She ever finds out about this, Mike, she'll have your liver for breakfast," Sinclair commented, shifting his neck a little, and pulling at the bottom of his uniform.
Michael swung around the chair completely to look at his friend.
"There is nothing going on between us," Sinclair answered the unasked question.
Garibaldi sighed. His instincts had been right about this. "Captain...that reeks of want...that comment."
Sinclair simply returned his friend's appraisal. After a moment, he spoke. "The Minbar government is sending a delegation in two days...it is sudden. I wanted to deliver the information first hand. We will need to increase security in certain sectors. Sheridan wants to help out on this...and that will give you time with him to get a feel for him. I need to know your instincts with him."
"Fine. Done and done. Don't change the subject, Jeff. I've known you too long...what the hell is going on."
"Nothing." Sinclair cleared his throat and turned to address his friend fully. "She is an attractive, strong woman. I saw the look in your eyes, Michael. You were...shall we say...interested."
"And I saw the look in yours. I haven't seen you look at a woman like that before, Sinclair...not even Catherine. Hell, I'm surprised that she didn't incinerate into ash where she stood. But there was more to that look...it was hot and...I don't know...longing." Garibaldi sighed and rose out of his chair to lean across the desk. Jeff folded his hands in front of his crotch and stood straighter. After a moment, Mike's blue eyes opened wider with an ephinany. "You propositioned her, didn't you, Jeff. Holy shit."
Sinclair raised an eyebrow and continued to stare back at his friend.
"And she turned you down...or you both decided that it would be a piss poor act on your parts. Or you realized that I would hunt you both down."
Jeff tilted his head slightly to the side.
"It started out as sexual...purely...wasn't it? It's more than that now...dammit, Jeff...I'm right, aren't I?"
Captain Sinclair rocked slightly back on his heels and stared at his friend. Michael Garibaldi was the only man that he knew, outside of his own brother that could read him this well. It didn't help that his internal temperature gauge had shot up to a dangerous level at the sight of that much skin from Ivanova. It also didn't help that he had to fight to keep his fist from twitching...he had wanted to hit Zack and Mike for gawking at her. "Close, Mike...you are too damn close."
"What the hell...are you in love with her?"
"I...no, Mike. I could wax poetic on you and you would not have the faintest clue of what I was telling you. She is someone I want to know...I want to be close to. She is strong and forces me to be the best man I can be just to keep up with her. I care, but in love...no. I'm honored to be her friend."
"But you still want to be in her pants." Mike tried for the crudest way of pushing the point. If he was going to get a rise out of Sinclair over this issue it would be in that manner. "What about Catherine?"
Jeff turned to Mike and the younger man was taken back with the feelings clear in Sinclair's eyes. "We try, Mike. We have tried for twelve years. I love her, Catherine, for all she has been to me and continues to be. But you know it as well I as do...it has to be all or nothing with the both of us. And...I'm not sure of letting her go...and she is not sure of holding on to me. We are heading in opposite directions with the same speed. I am still committed to her...I made that commitment with her over the New Year."
"But you are not sure it is going to work out...is your mind looking to Susan as a surrogate?"
Jeff leaned back his head and sighed. How had he gotten into this honesty conversation with Mike in the first place? He had no hope of leaving the room with anything less than total revelation. "No...Susan is Susan...not Catherine...not even close. And no, I am not sure it is going to work out. But I want to try."
Garibaldi nodded slowly. His hands crept into his pockets. "I've been there, Jeff. But there is only so much trying two people can do. At some point that try turns into either doing, or not. Maybe you are at that point. It is something that only you can decide. And as for Ivanova, Jeff...attraction...friendship and protectiveness...it wraps up into a pretty package. My advice is figure what is going on with Catherine first..."
"What the hell do you think I'm doing?" Sinclair exploded, his deep voice rumbling. "Christ, Mike. Just leave it well enough alone...investigate something else."
Michael smiled slightly. He had found the nerve. Jeff was personal about his feelings and relationships to the point of neurosis. Throw confusion into the mix and it was not a pretty picture. This had been the most information he had gotten out of Sinclair at one time. "Just...I'm here as a friend...Jeff...just remember that, okay? And for god sakes, don't hurt her...Susan...that is. I've gotten kind of fond of her, Captain Sinclair."
"As have I, Mister Garibaldi. As have I." Jeff's eyes had cooled from the fire of fight that had been there a moment ago. "I won't hurt her."
"Good." Mike sat back down in his chair. Jeff smiled tightly at his friend and waited. After a few seconds, Garibaldi leaned across the desk and returned the camera to its normal view. "So...Minbar delegation. I should confer with Lennier and Sheridan then. And, don't worry, Captain, I'll have so much information on Sheridan by the end of the week that it will make your head spin."
"Knew I could count on you, Garibaldi." Sinclair nodded. "In all respects...trust you to make me honest with myself. I have to get back to C and C...talk to you later?"
"You know it, Captain." Garibaldi watched as his friend turned and walked out of the room.
**
Sheridan walked around the observation dome, his hands tucked securely behind his back. He had little to do. Although Jeff Sinclair had warmed to him slightly, it was still obvious that the Commander of Babylon 5 was still acting the alpha male where he was concerned. He didn't like it. He did not like it one bit. Sinclair was important to this mission, to the mission that John had committed himself to a long time ago. But there was no way that he could be this important.
"Captain Sheridan?"
John turned to the petite officer who looked up from the pit. "Yes?"
"There is a message for both you and Captain Sinclair. It is rather..rude."
Sheridan frowned and reached down for the floppy. "Who is it from?"
"The Cortez."
"Holy." John began but stopped as he read the information. "No shit...he is coming here."
**
"He's coming here."
It was all that Jeff could say as he stared at the flimsy in his hand. Captain Maynard was bringing the Cortez to ground at Babylon 5. An explorer class ship...the type of ship that he always dreamed of captaining...was coming to Babylon 5. He didn't know whether to be excited or saddened by the news.
"Who's coming?" Ivanova asked, her voice carrying around the corner before her body cleared the wall. She looked the same as she always did to him: immaculately dressed, and self- assured...the picture of a perfect Earth Force Officer. Her blue eyes were wide with interest and laughter.
"The Cortez." Sinclair answered putting down the flimsy. "Putting in for replacement parts and supplies."
"I know. I heard from Sheridan before I came here. He seems exceptionally happy that Maynard is coming in." Ivanova walked across the floor. As she neared, he smelled the fresh aura of soap about her and saw the wet ends of her hair. It made him stop short..
"About the Cortez," Ivanova continued, only sparing Sinclair a slightly confused glance. Jeff stopped himself from running his eyes down her body and cleared his throat. "We have most of the parts that they need. The ones we don't have, I have sent word to Io or Mars for....we should have everything together for them in two days at the most. I think that fits into their schedule."
Sinclair nodded as he sat down behind his desk. "Very good. What about the Malvern delegation?"
"The chairs are arranged in the shape of a star on the floor with the chief chair in the center of the floor. The wood is proper, the spacing is proper.." Ivanova smiled. "Do you have their language down?"
"This is a tough one, Ivanova." He smiled in return. Susan was one of the few officers that he worked with who knew of his hobby of studying languages. "But I think I have it managed to an acceptable level. Why?"
"Sheridan was the first human to contact them. He has a fair understanding of the language and customs." Susan walked to the edge of the desk and laid her hand on the book on its upper corner. "He might be able to help."
Sinclair's head snapped up, dragging his eyes away from her hand to her face. Suddenly everyone around him assumed that he needed Sheridan to complete his job. John had even said as much earlier that day. It was the last thing, however, that he had expected to hear out of Ivanova. He squinted slightly. "Having problems with Sheridan?"
"No," Ivanova answered, only slightly taken aback by Sinclair. Sometimes his actions concerning John Sheridan surprised her. "Only using our given resources to their fullest potential. He is a resource, no matter what his purpose here is. Besides, you wanted to have him observed, and this would allow us the proximity to do so."
Jeff leaned back in his chair, holding her gaze with his. She spoke truthfully and with a bite. If he allowed himself, her candor and her chastising tone might have affected him. "Captain...face it, he might be useful."
"I have no doubt of his usefulness overall, just his usefulness to this station." Sinclair answered, dropping his head.
"Do you really need to be so...territorial.?" Ivanova asked, her lips turning up in a smile.
"Are you questioning my actions, Commander?" Jeff asked, raising his voice and his head at the same time. "I give him a foothold here and..."
Her smile left her lips quickly. "And what, Captain? If he proves not to be part of Clark's entourage, he might be a good addition here. It is not like you to be...vicious... in your thoughts so quickly. It is almost as if your testosterone is speaking rather than your brain."
Jeff stood, leaning over the desk propped on his closed fists. "And this is not like you, Ivanova, I always thought you were as paranoid of people as Garibaldi. We don't know about Sheridan. God dammit, Susan." His jaw clenched and his eyes flashed. "You believe him.."
"What is there to believe? I have neither heard that he is with Clark or that he is not...and yes I am still suspicious of him. But either way." Susan raised her eyebrows and shifted her weight again.
"Either way, I still have my job to do and you are suggesting that I need his help to do it.." Sinclair rumbled. "Hell, maybe I do.."
"I was suggesting no such thing..asking for help with linguistics is not asking for help with your job, Captain. No one is questioning your ability at this job or your placement in it." Ivanova said, her voice still edgy.
Jeff rolled his knuckles and moved back slightly. With a hard push, he levied his weight off the desk. As he strode around his desk, he kept his eyes averted from Susan's. The Commander turned herself to follow him with her gaze. He was acting strangely to her. He was distant...more so than usual and almost too controlled. "Sinclair, what the hell is wrong with you."
"You know...once, a long time ago, there was good money on me being Admiral by my fiftieth birthday. I'll be lucky to make Second Star Captain." Jeff said, facing the window of his office. "All I ever wanted was to be an explorer...a captain.to command a ship on the border of known space. And yet...here I am."
"In a position that most men and women that I know of would kill for...including me."
"But what purpose do I serve here?"
The line was said in quiet, all of his bluster gone. He stood with his back to Susan, staring out at the gardens and windows that lined the interior of the station. Ivanova tilted her head and shook it slightly. She didn't know what to say.
In the quiet, Sinclair turned from the window and gazed at his friend. Ivanova saw the emotions in his eyes; their brown depths were swirling.
"You are the Commander of the only Babylon station that is successful."
"But is it truly successful?"
"Jeff."
"I'm a pilot, a fighter, a veteran, not a diplomat."
"Christ, Jeff, you sound like you are depressive. Have you seen Franklin lately?" Susan walked forward a little. "Yes, you are a pilot, a damn good one.I know that from first hand experience. You fought in and were decorated for your service in the Minbari War. And you are the Earth Ambassador to the Babylon 5 station. And you are doing a hell of a good job."
"I don't need reassurance, Susan...I need a purpose. I need to know that this will mean something here..I need to know that something I do is..."
"Important? Jeff, is that your ego talking?" Susan drew completely along side of him. She held his gaze with hers.
His smile was genuine. "Maybe. Not important, but rather...unique? That I'm not interchangeable."
"You are, Jeff...you are unique. And we are all looking for purpose. Constantly. When that search ends, our life ends."
"Ah," Sinclair lowered his head to chuckle. "There is the Susan I know...pessimistic."
"What brought all this on? The Cortez or Sheridan? Or both?"
"I don't know." Jeff answered truthfully. "I'm sorry that I..."
"I'm glad that you did, Sinclair. It lets me remember that you are human...just like the rest of us." She joked. "And like you told me before, Jeff...I'm your friend. Treat me like one occasionally. You can talk to me anytime." Her hand landed on his arm and trailed down it gently. "Use Sheridan. We can watch him. And you can see what he is capable of. I will continue to only take your orders, no matter who else gives them. And leave the rest to me...the Cortez and the seating arrangements."
Jeff nodded, as he moved his hand to his pocket and his other hand to cover hers for a moment. "I will. And I will take your advice with Sheridan under consideration. And I will let you deal with the seating arrangements. But Jack is my friend. I'll help deal with the Cortez."
"If that is your order, Captain." Ivanova stated quietly.
He nodded again, allowing his thumb to brush over her hand. She withdrew her hand slowly. Quietly, she moved away and to the door. As she strode to turn around the corner, he turned to speak to her one last time. "Susan?"
She stopped and turned to face him. "Thank you."
With a short nod, Ivanova eyed him. "And I am sorry for a couple of the comments that I made."
"That is not a problem...you would not be Ivanova if you didn't say what you thought. Captain Maynard and I will be meeting in Air Hearts later. Join us." His voice was low as if he were lost in thought.
Susan nodded quickly and turned, leaving through the hallway that joined the main corridor. Jeff looked after her for a moment and then returned to his desk. He frowned as his eyes fell to the flimsy holding Jack's' communication.
**
"Doc?"
Michael Garibaldi buttoned up his shirt. He had been feeling fine before coming into the Medlab but as he sat on the bed, he felt sick. It had to be the gleam in Stephen's eyes, Garibaldi decided. It made him worry and worry led to sickness.
Stephen glanced at the computer screen and then back up at Garibaldi. Yes, Michael thought, that was definitely a gleam. "Well.you are doing better, but you are not at the level that I would have expected at this time. That wound on your back is not healing entirely properly...and the results of your blood analysis show why. You have a deficit in certain vitamins.the phytovitamins."
Garibaldi rolled his eyes. That sickness was getting more pronounced. "Phytovitamins?" Mike asked out of the corner of his mouth as he buttoned his cuffs.
Stephen grinned. "Yes, you know...the vitamins that are in plants? And you have cholesterol that is off the charts and your blood pressure is high."
"And the problem here is? I've always had those problems, Stephen." Mike grumbled and slid off the bed.
"I don't like it and, as your doctor, I'm going to try and do something about it." Franklin raised his head and pierced Mike with a glare. Garibaldi sighed and moved toward the computer console.
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
Franklin grinned at the tone of Garibaldi's voice. "A food plan."
Mike turned on his heel and walked toward the door. "A diet."
"No, a food plan...just a simple modification of your eating habits. Come back here, Garibaldi...that's a doctor's order. I'll report you to Sinclair and have you removed off of active duty." Stephen called out and mentally counted backwards from five. On one, Mike's head looked around the door.
"You wouldn't."
"Try me, Garibaldi." Franklin murmured as the computer printed out a list. As Mike approached him, Stephen held up the paper. "Just follow this for a couple of weeks, Garibaldi, and come back to see me."
Garibaldi gave Steven a sideways glance. "There's nothing left to eat if I follow that list." He complained. "Where is the olive oil...the cheese, the..aw jeez...what about...what the hell can I eat?"
Stephen sighed and printed out another sheet and handed it to Michael. "Here's what you can eat."
Mike moaned at the sight of the food on the list. "But...Doc...my birthday is real soon and I always make my father's recipe for it."
"Does it include any of the foods on the list that I'm telling you not to eat?"
"Yes...but."
"But nothing...and just to let you know...I will be watching you, Mr. Garibaldi." Franklin picked up the medical records and began to walk across the room. "This gives me reason to call in the command staff...none of you eat right...skipping meals...eating all of the wrong things.."
Michael walked away, the list held at arms length. "Those guys are just gonna love me when they find out that it was me.." He muttered and walked away. The door slid shut behind him. The sickness was getting more pronounced.
**
G'Kar sat, almost as if on a pincushion, in his quarters. Na'Toth sat across from him at the table, meeting his red eyed gaze steadily. Although she had had her reservations about coming and serving under a Narn such as he, she had set aside her differences in politics and taken the position. He was a member of the Kari, the Narn ruling body, and she was honored to have been chosen for the position. But, as he was a follower of G'Quan and her father had been a disciple of G'Tal, it was often that they butted heads over religion.
This was one of those times.
"Ambassador." Na'Toth began, her eyes wide. "I do not believe in G'Quan.I was raised believing G'Tal.but now only believe in myself. This information that you are presenting me.it is not.."
G'Kar smiled sadly and pushed the Holy Book of G'Quan closer to his assistant. "To believe in something as minuscule as yourself in times like this, Na'Toth, is a sad thing indeed. When one faces time of darkness that can swallow a person whole, that can throw them into such a deep soul aching sorrow that there is no hope, to believe in and count only on yourself is inadvisable."
Na'Toth shrugged. "It is what I believe, Ambassador. You will not change it with words aimed to attack my mind and heart. It can only be changed in my soul.and that, sir, is untouchable by just about everything."
With a sigh, he pushed the book closer to her. "Then look at this book not as an item of faith.look at it as a history lesson, Na'Toth. I saw these ships.at Z'ha'dum."
Na'Toth sighed and looked down at the page in front of her. On the aged piece of paper, there was a ship that looked like a h'thapi.or what the humans called a spider. It was black, large and ominous. Portrayed to be larger than a Narn Heavy Cruiser, it seemed to be a center with a sprouting of arms. It seemed black.
She shivered.
G'Kar pulled back the book, nodding his reptilian head slowly. "Yes, Na'Toth. A darkness will blot out the suns of a thousand worlds. This is what I went to see.and this is what I found. These ships are real. These beings are real. And they have awakened. We must warn the others.we must send a survey heavy cruiser to the area to report what is seen. And we must be prepared, for the darkness is upon us again."
**
"May I join you?"
Susan gulped down the mouthful of her drink and looked up at John Sheridan. Ivanova had arrived at Air Hearts early to meet up with Sinclair and Maynard and had grabbed a large table off to the side.
"Sure." she answered. Sheridan grinned lightly and slid into the chair across from her. Susan smiled for a moment and crossed her legs. She sipped at her vodka and tonic while watching the Earth Force Captain across the top of her glass. When the waiter approached and laid a Jovian Sunspot in front of John, her eyebrows rose into her hairline. "A Jovian Sunspot, you are splurging."
"I'm off duty." John joked in return. As an afterthought, he raised his hand to loosen his jacket collar. Ivanova shook her head and widened her smile. "You just go off shift?"
"Yes." Susan drained the rest of her glass. "I just finished putting together the seating arrangements for the Malvern delegation. They will be here tomorrow night."
John set down his glass with a grunt. The situation might be weighing down on him and causing stress fractures between he and Sinclair, but that did not preclude him from getting to know the others on the command team. He had spent some time with Garibaldi and besides feeling like he was under glass with the man, John had understood that the security chief was a man who stood for purpose, not politics. He was hoping that Susan Ivanova would be the same. "The Malvern?"
Susan nodded. "Yes. They have told us they wish to join the Earth Alliance.."
"Do you have the star on the floor? A somewhat firm understanding of the language?" John sipped at his drink for a moment. "They are a very old and very proud race, Ivanova. They don't suffer fools lightly."
Susan laughed and nodded. "I know. The star has been formulated and the chairs made. It is, as far as I can tell, created to code for them. I understand that you were the first Earth Force commander to meet the Malvern."
John leaned forward on his arms and met her gaze steadily. Ivanova's hair was loose and hanging about her shoulders.a different look for her. In the dim of the club, her blue eyes were points of light that drew him in. She appeared to him as his father would have described as honest. She was appraising him much the same way he was appraising her. There was no mistaking her stance, the way she appeared to be eagerly listening to him while searching for clues about him buried in the words. But her eyes, they showed a need.to search for truth.
"Yes.I was on the Agamemnon and we were in Sector 19 on patrol. We saw this cloud.only it wasn't a cloud. It was a Malvern ship. It hailed us on the third day of following it and it took us about three days to just make a dent in their linguistics. When we did, we sent out the typical first contact message and I was invited on their ship. It had such."
He stopped and appeared to be looking at nothing. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "The space inside that ship.the sheer room that there was.it was awe inspiring. The Malvern would be a great addition to the alliance. Let me know if there is anything that I can do to help."
Susan nodded. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. Actually.I might ask you for some proper greetings for the delegation. How to say them and the like."
John shrugged as he picked up his glass again. "You could ask for the standard greetings from Earth Force."
Susan sighed and lifted her eyes to meet his. "I prefer to think on my own, Captain Sheridan. I want to know what I am telling someone, not just repeating something off of a paper.." Her voice trailed off as her eyes swept past him to the door. She raised her hand for a moment. John could feel the approach of the men before they came into his sight range. In that moment, he cemented his thoughts about the Executive Officer of Babylon 5. Susan Ivanova was bright and could not be bought.not by favor, not by money or promises. Her loyalty was bought out of respect and action. She was Earth Force at its core.
And definitely not Clark material.he decided.
He rose as she did. Turning, he was confronted with Sinclair standing only a few feet from him returning his gaze steadily. There was something different in the brown eyes of the new Captain of Babylon 5. Jeff's eyes only wavered from his for a moment, drifting to look at Ivanova and then they returned to glance at him. John's eyes narrowed. It was not the pseudoglare at him that piqued his curiosity; it was the look at the Commander that had him wondering. The gaze had almost shouted protection and questions. And the return glance to him warned him that he might be accepted in some positions, but not in others.
Susan smiled at Jack, who walked up behind Jeff and nodded in greeting. "Captain Maynard, that is a fine ship you rode in on." John glanced at Susan as he held out his hand to shake Jack's. She had not even noticed the look Sinclair had given her. That was interesting.
"Thank you.. Commander Ivanova, isn't it? The Cortez is a beautiful ship. Just as Babylon 5 is a beautiful station." Jack was a man of short stature, coming only to Jeff Sinclair's shoulders. His dark hair was curly and short. And on his feet, Susan noticed, was a pair of cowboy boots. Very interesting, she thought.
Jeff nodded and motioned Jack to a chair. "Captain John Sheridan, it's been a long time. We were supposed to have a drink out on the rim, remember? I thought it would be on your own explorer ship." Jack commented as he sat next to John.
Sinclair eased around the table and lowered himself into the chair next to Ivanova. Susan glanced at him as he stretched and crossed his legs. Jeff met her appraisal with a half smile. When John exploded into laughter, she leaned over to her friend. "Are you okay, Jeff?"
"Fine."
"Did you think about what I talked about earlier?"
Sinclair sighed and looked at her for a moment before nodding. "I did. And I have made a decision."
"Oh?" Susan leaned closer to him.
"I'm going to try my best to ease off. To give him a chance. I'm going to rely on my Jesuit training and say that if something is going to happen.it is God's will."
"Talking Jesuit again, Sinclair?" Jack asked. Leaning forward in his chair, the older man met Jeff's eyes. "First we can't get you off Tennyson. And now, you are talking about Jesuit training again. Are you sure you don't want to try for the priesthood, Sinclair?"
Sheridan choked and put down his glass quickly. "Sinclair.are you still reading Tennyson?"
Susan smiled and leaned forward on the table, her hands looping around her now empty glass. "Tennyson's work is classic. No one has been able to reproduce it. I have a copy myself."
Jeff smiled for a moment and lowered his head. He was used to the joshing; he had been since the academy. Instead of irking him, this exchange made him want to laugh with memories.
"You might have a copy, but Jeff here has the entire work in an antique book. It was published, when, Sinclair? 1912? And on data crystal. One of his nicknames in the academy was Chaplain. I've never met anyone as spiritual as Jeffrey Sinclair."
Jeff raised a hand to stop Sheridan from continuing. "You wouldn't want me to start calling you by your nicknames now, would you, Johnny." Before Sheridan could say anything in retaliation, Sinclair continued, raising his head to smile at the other officer. "And thanks for the compliment. Spiritual.you know, I don't feel that way right now, but thanks anyway. I had forgotten being called Chaplain."
John laughed, reaching out to clap Jeff across the arm. "Hey, you grew into it, Jeff. Jack.what do you think?"
Jack held up a hand to call over the waiter. "A Vodka and tonic for the lady and a scotch for Captain Sinclair and me." Once the waiter had left, he looked at Sheridan and then at Sinclair. "I think we have all grown into ourselves."
Susan raised her eyebrows at the exchange between Jeff and John and finally the speech by Jack. This group had gone through the academy together and had been acquaintances at one time. This night might prove interesting.
**
It was interesting, Ivanova thought as she leaned forward on her elbow.
John was standing behind the table, gesturing widely with his hands. "And you should have seen Jack here.three women and they were all Julvian. Each was an alpha female and wanting equal attention."
Susan shook her head and smiled lopsidedly. Jeff's elbows landed on the table next to her, rattling the stability of the surface and making her come out of her daze. Sinclair's face was loose, easy in a smile. "So how long was it before you saw Jack again, Sheridan? A week?"
"Not that long. Come on, Chap...it's me...about three days...and they were all sent on their ways.happy customers." Jack sat back, his hand wrapped around his scotch. "And Sheridan didn't see me when I came back, because he was busy."
"Ah." Sinclair answered, nodding very slowly. "Somehow.I believe that if the old rumors around the academy had any truth to them."
Sheridan sat down, a look of mock outrage on his face. "And Chap...what about the rumors I've heard about you...on Mars?"
Ivanova raised an eyebrow and turned her chin on her hand to stare at Jeff. "Mars? Oh, this is going to be interesting."
"It is...is it?" Sinclair returned. "Sheridan knows nothing of the particulars and I am not saying anything." His smile widened and he tilted his head toward Susan. "I said that you would never know of my youthful indiscretions."
"Um hmm," Ivanova answered, turning back to John. "So."
"He was found with Mike Garibaldi, and a half dozen dancers from the local club. Apparently, his name has gone down in the annuals of the club as..."
Sinclair started laughing, lowering his chin again. "Okay...maybe you do know the particulars."
Ivanova sighed and shook her head. "Spare me the gory details, please, Jack. I have to work with these two officers. Please leave me something to have respect for."
Jack guffawed and leaned back in the chair, looking to the ceiling. "Let me tell you something, Commander Ivanova. These two." he pointed at the two men sitting opposite each other at the table. "Are equals and opposites. They have been at each other all through school and, I am guessing here, because they see too much of themselves in the other. And...in these too, you either have to be in awe of what they have both done, or have no respect for them at all. There is no in between."
Susan tilted her head and listened to the Captain. It made sense.
"Hell.you should have seen them in Academy. Sheridan here made life hell for the Chap. Beat on him emotionally for awhile. Sinclair, though, came into the Academy with this attitude. Like he had to prove something and yet was so withdrawn into himself that most thought he was stuck- up. He wasn't. But we didn't know that until later. I think that is what Johnny latched onto.wasn't it?"
John shook his head. "What is this? Old home week? No." he appeared hurt for a moment and then looked to Sinclair. "I saw him. And I saw me in him. God knows I didn't want him to turn out like me."
Jeff snorted, sitting back against the chair and letting his arms fall to his lap. "What?"
"That look on your face, Sinclair...the first day that you came into the Academy. Like Earth Force was heaven, Elysium...whatever you want to call it...that's not what it is."
Jeff's face fell and he stared at Sheridan for a moment. "It's a cause. Or the power behind a cause." He said quietly. "Not a purpose. And not an end. And as a power, it can be used properly or improperly. I know that now. I didn't then...I haven't until recently."
Susan chewed on her lip. That would explain the outburst earlier that day, she thought. He was lost.
Sheridan nodded holding Jeff's gaze. He had the answer about Jeff that he had been looking for.
Jeff shook off the quiet with a small laugh. "And I think that is the end of that...do you have any other news from the rim?"
John turned to Jack as well, smiling smally. "Yes, you heard anything about this story we have about something living in hyperspace?"
Ivanova sat back against the chair, her shoulder bumping Jeff's. Her arms crossed over her chest. "In hyperspace? Are you kidding?" she asked Sheridan.
"No," John answered, sitting forward, nodding to Sinclair. "I've heard the rumors that there is a ship flying around in hyperspace...just flying around...not going anywhere. It attacks indiscriminately."
Jeff was nodding. "I have heard the rumors as well...but Johnny, you know as well as I do that nothing can LIVE in hyperspace. But, yes, I have heard of the attacks and the occurrences."
"Don't call me Johnny," Sheridan stated. "But seriously, Jack...have you heard anything?"
Jack looked across the table at Susan in a manner that said: "Can you believe these two?" After a moment, he spoke out loud. "A while ago...out on the rim...I was on a reconnoiter off of the Cortez...we are almost out of sight of it. I was turning around to go back to the mother ship when I saw something huge against the background of stars. The only reason I knew it was there was that it blotted out the stars behind it. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. But I did not see it in hyperspace."
John put down his glass with a sigh as he looked at his watch. "I've got to get some sleep. I have to take out Beta squadron tomorrow...early."
Ivanova grinned. "Sorry about that...it was the only time I could schedule all of the fighters on one shift."
"For some reason, Ivanova," Sheridan stated as he stood. "I have the distinct feeling that you are not that sorry." He moved off toward the door and after a moment, Jack rose and followed him. There was a short exchange between Sinclair and the Cortez captain and then the visitor disappeared after Sheridan.
Ivanova leaned over toward Jeff, glancing up at him. "Three things, Captain."
"Call me Jeff...I just had an epiphany about my commission." Sinclair stated with a joking tone to his voice.
"I heard that, I think. Okay...Jeff. One...Tennyson?" Susan's hair tickled her arm as she held her head up on her hand.
"Oh...these type of questions...fine." Jeff eased his arm over the back of her chair. "Tennyson. My mother was and still is a professor of Literature. Comparative. I grew up reading Tennyson and find that his work mirrors what I think and feel. Next question."
"Okay. Two...just how spiritual were you in the Academy?"
Jeff closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. "When I entered the Academy I also had a position being held open for me at seminary. I don't consider that being spiritual. Spiritual is what you are when you have beliefs that help drive your life. But that is the main reason why they called me Chaplain."
Susan glanced at him. His eyes opened slowly and they looked at each other for a moment. The smile they shared was warm. "Chap."
"They called me Chaplain...you can't."
"Captain..."
"You are smart, Ivanova...come up with something original. Any more questions?"
"One.Six women, Jeff? And in the annuals of the club? This is something I have to ask Mike about, isn't it?" Susan began, edging herself away from Jeff on the chair. Her movement was stopped when the chair was tilted back toward the Captain. She glanced at the back of the chair with a grin. Jeff held it with one hand.
"This is something you will ask no one about." Jeff warned, his voice was mock stern. "Am I understood, Commander? If you go digging around in that section of my life, I reserve the right to dig around in yours. A tit for a tat, Ivanova."
"Then I can ask Mike. I have nothing to hide." She answered back, her chin lifting to give him a smile. "You are doing better."
"I am. I feel lighter. Just suddenly...I feel lighter." Jeff released the chair gently and it eased back to the floor.
She smiled and rose, laying down her credit bar for payment. "I'm glad, Jeff...working with you when you are depressed is hell."
He rose as well. "Any more questions, Susan? You are on a roll here."
"Anything else that would just ruin my vision of you, Captain?" Ivanova asked as she walked toward the door.
Sinclair reached ahead of her to signal for the door. He walked, his chest almost touching her back out into the hall before he answered her. "I play tenor saxophone."
Susan stopped so quickly that Jeff walked right into her back. "Tenor sax? Good lord...the image is not only ruined, it's shattered."
With a frown, Jeff looked down at her. "It can't be that bad, Susan."
The only answer he received was a raised eyebrow.
**
Personal Communication January 27, 2259
To: Captain Jeffrey D. Sinclair From: Dr. Stephen Franklin (Capt. Earth Force) Concerning: Yearly checkup
Jeff.
It's been three years since you had your last yearly checkup. Some how or another, (I think Ivanova might have something to do with it), you have slipped through the cracks. I need you to come down to Med lab 1 today around noon. We have to get this over with. I will expect you then, unless I receive word that you have passed on.that is the only excuse I will take.
Stephen.
**
"What have I done to deserve this?" Jeff asked aloud. He was stood at the counter in his kitchen, buttoning his jacket. "Today of all days."
After a few moments of staring at the flimsy and willing it to say something else, Sinclair turned on his heel and walked to his door and out into the hall.
**
Personal Communication: January 27, 2259
To: Commander Susan Ivanova From: Dr. Stephen Franklin (Capt. EarthForce) Concerning: Yearly checkup.
Susan.
The last time I saw you for your checkup, the last president was in office. Please come to Medlab 1 around one p.m. today. I have to complete my job the same as you up in command have to complete yours.except in this case.you are my job. I expect to see you then. And don't ask Sinclair for help, he has to do this as well.
Stephen.
**
"Garibaldi!" Susan shouted, coming around the corner into security.
Mike was startled to see her there, but as his eyes alighted upon the flimsy in her hand, he knew instantly what the problem was.
"So help me, Garibaldi, I know you are at the center of this."
With a grin and a sigh, Michael rolled his eyes. It was going to be a great day.
**
"Well...I think that is everything."
The Executive Officer of the Cortez looked over the list of cargo that was being loaded on the ship. Jack stood behind him and nodded.
"It appears so, I will put into the Command of Babylon 5 for departure." The Officer leaned forward, hanging the flimsies on the clipboard in the hold. After a second, with no answer from the Captain, he turned to look at Maynard. "Captain?"
Jack shook his head for a moment. "This is one port that I am not in a hurry to leave. For some reason, I think that I was or am a catalyst here. You don't know these officers like I do. Jeff Sinclair and John Sheridan...god if they ever become friends, the world had better just watch out."
The Executive Officer smiled and shook his head, moving away through the hold. Captain Maynard was known to giving himself over to reminiscing. Jack remained behind as the door slid shut. Out of the window of the bay, he could see Babylon 5 slowly turning in space. It was a large monument to human achievement, that spinning station. It was something that would be known through all time. Not for the technology that went into building it, but for the foundation of peace that it created.
And the two Captains living on it were instrumental in that peace...if they could only forge a peace between them that would last.
The playboy and the Chaplain. Who would have thought that the two of them would be stationed together?
Maynard shook his head and turned to walk through the bowels of his ship. He had to say goodbye to his friends.
**
Jeff climbed on down from the bed and reached across the low metallic table for his squawking wristcomm. Stephen glared at him from the medstation in the middle of the lab and shook his head minutely. Sinclair thought for a second to obey the doctor, but at the last minute, scooped up his comm. He returned Stephen's look with an angry one of his own. It WAS still his station, whether he was getting a check-up or not, and such, he had to answer his comm.
"Sinclair."
Stephen turned his back on Jeff, shaking his head.
"Captain. It appears that Ambassador Delenn wants to speak to you."
Sinclair slapped the wristcomm on his hand and grimaced. "Delenn? How long..."
"She has been under doctor's orders to be isolated.."
"Oh she has, has she?" Jeff glanced over his hand at Stephen who remained facing away from him. "Thank you, Control, I'll see to it as soon as I can."
Franklin kept his head down and remained quiet. Jeff pursed his lips and pulled himself up to his full height. With a fast hand, he reached out and whipped his coat off of the chair next to the bed. As he donned it, he moved through the room. Delenn was fine, apparently. And apparently his Chief of Staff in the Medlab knew this. And he had not been told. As he opened his mouth to address the last of these concerns, Stephen began to speak.
"It seems, Captain Sinclair, that you have gained ten pounds in your time on Babylon 5. And your cholesterol is a little elevated. And at your age."
Jeff snorted. Both in response to the comment and to the avoidance technique that the young doctor was employing. If this was how Stephen wanted to run from the issue, then so be it.but there was nowhere to hide. "Ten pounds is not that bad. And I just turned 40."
"Yes, I know, Jeff. But ten pounds is bad if you are doing nothing to lose it. You are near the top end of the weight limit for EarthForce and at your age it is harder to lose the weight. I'm going to put you on a modified food plan and exercise.."
"I could use the exercise...I've been behind the desk a little too much...but a modified food plan, Franklin?" Sinclair buttoned up his jacket. "Let me see this diet."
Stephen handed over the food list and moved a little away from the Captain as he looked over the paper. After two minutes, he was confronted with a pair of brown eyes that squinted in anger at him. "Now, Jeff.we."
"Why is it that doctors always say we? How about you eat the crap on this list, and I'll monitor you. Now that is team work." Jeff lowered the sheet and glared at Stephen. "And what is this news of Delenn being under medical isolation? When did she come out of her.cocoon? And is she okay? Is she well? Dammit, Stephen."
"She is fine, Jeff. She wanted to be alone while she adjusts to her.situation. She told me that she would alert you when she was well enough to. I guess that time has arrived. And I was under patient-doctor confidentiality, Captain.I couldn't.." Franklin glanced down at the sheet.
"I understand, Franklin." Jeff leaned on the table and lifted his head tiredly. "It just seems.."
Stephen motioned to the list. "I'll be monitoring you, Captain Sinclair. And you had better talk with Delenn."
Sinclair sighed and grabbed the list. Before he could open the door, it slid open to reveal Ivanova. She seemed surprised to see him, but recovered quickly. Her hair was loose, and she was gently removing her jacket. Her slender hands stopped unbuttoning her jacket as she saw him ahead of her. Something in him damned the rest of him for being the reason she stopped.
"Captain." She said quietly.
Jeff's eyes fell to her hand and he sighed. Sometimes, in the dark of night, he wished that he had pressed the issue of the both of them. Usually, he could keep it submerged, but for some reason, since he had seen her in the sauna, it was harder to. "Commander? You are here for medical checkup?"
She nodded and moved past him. "Yes.and I swear, this is all Mr. Garibaldi's fault."
"Well, don't kill him, Susan. He just recovered." He laughed as she passed him. "And watch out for Franklin.he's out for blood."
Ivanova ripped at her wrist cuffs and smiled sardonically. "I'll see you later, Captain."
Jeff groaned and left the room, holding his 'meal plan' out in front of him.
**
Delenn was unable to be reached. Lennier stated that she would attend the meeting of the Babylon 5 Security Council later that day. Jeff, at a loss for direction, opted for dinner and moved through the hallways toward the mess hall. As he entered the door, he felt the sharp edge of the folded meal plan in his pocket and sighed again.
He put both hands in his pockets and moved off to order what he could for food.
When he finished, and turned to the room of tables, he saw Susan sliding into a chair next to Mike. From the smile on his face, it appeared that Garibaldi was getting the better of Ivanova. The slouch in her shoulders told Jeff that it was quite possible that Mike was succeeding. He slid into the seat next to Mike and smiled at his friends.
Susan leaned around Mike and glared at Jeff. "I'll wait until he is fully recovered, and then I am going to kill him, Captain. Because of him, I have to eat.well.things that I am not used to."
"You too?" Jeff asked quietly. "I swear Franklin put me on rabbit food."
Garibaldi groaned as the food arrived at the table. The plate laid in front of him was heaped with lean pork meat and vegetables. In front of Ivanova the server laid a plate heaping with pasta and white sauce. Jeff received a plate of salad.
Jeff picked up a fork and stabbed at his food. His eyes wandered from his plate to Susan's and finally to Mike's. With a grimace, he pointed to Mike. "She is right, you know, Garibaldi.this is all your fault."
"Grouchy, Captain." Garibaldi said as he poked at the pork. "Come on, Jeff.maybe you needed the modified diet.."
"Like I needed a hole in the head, Mike." Jeff answered back in the same tone of voice, slightly agitated. He pierced a piece of lettuce and lifted it to his mouth. "'Harder time losing the weight at your age, Jeff'" he quipped.
He saw the smile, complete with white teeth, on Susan's face out of the corner of his eye. She was constantly teasing Mike and he about their 'superior' age to her. He swept the fork up and pointed across Garibaldi to Susan with it. Michael sat back to avoid the shiny tongs as they flashed in front of his face. "And there will be no comment out of you, Commander Ivanova."
She shrugged, picking at the sauce-laden pasta with her fork. "What makes you think I was going to comment on your age, Captain? I would never pick on a man of your stature, your bearing, your well.advanced age.it would be an insult to your distinguished presence."
Jeff frowned and looked at her with glaring eyes. When he spoke again, his voice sounded like the rumbling that preceded a sonic boom. "Watch it. I'm grouchy without my daily intake of meat.or meat substitute. And I'll have you know that men of superior age are.well-versed in some areas that can only be improved upon by age."
Susan held up a ball of pasta on the fork and turned to Garibaldi. "How do you eat this stuff, if you can't see the food through the sauce, Mike? And Captain Sinclair, I know you are well-versed in many areas. Even for a man of your age."
Garibaldi glanced back and forth between Susan and Jeff, hearing the play of words and seeing the pinpoints of light in both their eyes that betrayed the laughter that neither showed outwardly. "That sauce is what makes it good, Ivanova. My papa made pasta like that.and it was always incredible. The garlic just explodes in your mouth." he closed his eyes. "Like the wonderful dish my father made on my birthday.all that butter.all that wonderful olive oil.sausage."
"Sounds great, Garibaldi," Jeff commented, returning his attention to his food.
"Sounds like a painful gastronomic experience," Susan answered.
Michael kept his eyes closed, imagining the food and ignoring his friends. When he opened his eyes, Jeff and Susan were moving plates around on the table. The pork got given to Jeff, the pasta to him and the salad, complete with errant fork, to Ivanova. "Now that.is more like it." he commented, looking down at the pasta plate.
"Glad you approve, Mike," Susan said, as she stabbed several pieces of lettuce and lifted them to her mouth.
"And you would approve as well, if you would only try," Garibaldi returned, twirling the pasta expertly. "I have a special package coming in from Earth. It will be here tomorrow. How about if you and the dear, nearly starved Captain Sinclair, here, come to my quarters for a special meal tomorrow night?"
"A dinner date, I'm flattered, Garibaldi," she joked.
"And he is one hell of a cook too," Jeff answered in between bites. "Puts me to shame."
The conversation and eating was stopped by the arrival of Franklin, who walked slowly in back of the three of them. Very slowly, Ivanova reached over and drug the pasta plate back in front of her. Mike and Jeff exchanged plates.
Stephen leaned over the table. "That is more like it," He said, menacingly.
As he left, Susan rolled her eyes. "Big brother is alive and well, guys."
Garibaldi sighed and picked up the remaining pork. Before he could get the food into his mouth, Sheridan approached the table and sat down quickly. He had a plate of synthetic steak and potatoes with a side salad. All three officers stopped eating and stared at him. He began to eat, but stopped when he realized that the others were gazing at him.
"What?" he asked quietly.
"How in the name of hell," Jeff asked, his elbow landing on the table, "did you get that meal.didn't you report for your check up today?"
"Yes, I did," Sheridan stated, stabbing his meat. "But I was told that my weight was fine."
Sinclair shook his head forcefully. "Damn."