The young telepath slowly rolled off the exam bed, unimpressed by the doctor's
warning to rest a little longer. " I don't have that time you're talking
about, Doctor Franklin," the Psi Cop remarked. Hours ago, his flyer had
docked at Babylon 5. " There's a reason why I came here. I have to find
this Marcus Cole. All is not lost yet, but we can't waste any more time!"
" You suffered a severe concussion," Stephen told him, resolved to
see to it that the Psi Cop stayed in bed. " You're in no condition to walk
around the station." Franklin shot him a confused look. " I don't
even know your name."
" I'm Byron," he said through clenched teeth as he managed to get to
his feet, swaying alarmingly.
All Stephen could do was steady him by wrapping an arm around his waist. The
telepath's eyes burned in their sockets and made him feel uncomfortable. "
All right, Byron. You made your point. Now, I want you to lie down again.
"
" Sorry, can't do," Byron stated, thinking of a way to get the
physician off his back. It was important he spoke to Marcus Cole. A life was at
stake here!
" I'll cut you a deal; lie down again and I'll ask Marcus to visit you
once you're rested," Stephen said in an attempt to talk some sense into
the young man. Franklin sighed seeing the look in Byron's eyes. The telepath
wasn't going to accept his offer.
" No, I need to speak to this ranger --now--," Byron replied in a
determined tone.
Franklin knew the Psi Cop wouldn't give in before he had spoken to Marcus so he
decided to take him there personally in case the young man fainted. ** Another
stubborn patient with a British accent to take care of; that's all I need! **
he thought half amused, half irritated.
Unaware of what was going on in Medlab, Marcus enjoyed the party Neroon had
surprised him with. Although the ranger had known Neroon was up to something,
the Minbari had completely surprised him by engineering this feast. All their
friends were having a good time; Susan had even told them she was wearing a
thong underneath her tunic. Marcus had caught the look of approval on Talia's
face. The ranger had barely managed to refrain from bursting out into laughter.
" They're enjoying themselves," Marcus whispered softly so only
Neroon could hear his words, " Londo almost managed to convince Mr.
Garibaldi to show off his swinger."
Neroon couldn't help grinning, hearing those words. It was true though; all
their guests were having a good time and the smile on the ranger's face was
reward enough to him. After all this time, he still wondered about Marcus' capacity
to feel fulfilled because the ones close to him were happy.
** Such an amazing human and he's mine for the rest of our lives. How is it
possible no one else claimed him before I met him? ** Neroon mused, while
stroking the ranger's back in long, comforting strokes. Leaning in closer, the
warrior licked his lips and mumbled: " I want to surrender myself to you
tonight. Possess me like you did before." Thinking back to that time of
shared passion in the sauna made his arousal grow. " We won't be disturbed
tonight," Neroon added.
Shivers ran down his spine hearing those whispered words; the ranger could tell
Neroon was sincere as he sensed his lover's arousal. " We can't leave like
this. It would be rude to disappear now," Marcus softly chided him.
" I don't care." Neroon admitted in a flash of honesty. " I want
you, Marcus."
" I promise we'll be together tonight," Marcus replied, completely
enraptured by Neroon's want as it slowly coursed through him; telling him how
much Neroon desired him.
" I --will-- remind you of that promise later."
Neroon's voice resembled liquid velvet and its intensity made the ranger
shiver. " I know you will...." Marcus sighed in mock distress,
hearing Garibaldi accept Londo's challenge to demonstrate the advantages to
wearing a swinger. " Oh, no! We've got to do something, Neroon. I don't
want to see Garibaldi naked or only wearing that accursed swinger. Why did you
have to pick that gift? "
" I could hardly buy him a Marcus thong," Neroon remarked while
slipping one hand underneath the ranger's clothing to massage his back. "
You're tense."
" I know. Probably caused by lack of sleep. " Marcus stared into his
dark eyes and lost himself in them. The extent of the love Neroon bore him still
overwhelmed him at times. ** I never thought our relationship would work out
this well. ** he had to admit to himself, remembering the doubts he'd once had.
" This feels good," he purred into Neroon's ear and caught his lover
quavering. He felt aflame whenever Neroon touched him, caressing his skin.
A commotion near the entrance caught his attention and the ranger somehow knew
trouble was heading their way. After straightening out his uniform, Marcus rose
to his feet. ** All good times end too soon.** he thought saddened as real life
intruded his fantasies.
Neroon noticed the disturbance as well and followed the ranger over to the
entrance. His instincts told him to be careful; something didn't --feel--
right. He had learned to trust his instincts a long time ago; it had been those
instincts, which had told him to let Marcus live after fighting him during that
Denn'Sha challenge.
Seeing the Psi Corps uniform caught Marcus off-guard. During one short instant
he thought it was Caim. Gooseflesh appeared all over his body as he recognized
the telepath who resembled Caim so much it made him shiver. This was the man
who had answered his calls while he had been trying to get through to Alfred.
** That was when the dreams started.** Vividly remembering waking up with the
notion of Bester lying next to him, Marcus did his best to shake off this
unsettling memory. The ranger focused his attention on Marc and saw a similar
shocked expression in his green eyes. ** He doesn't know Byron and yet.... I
sense an ominous fear emanating from him. What the hell’s wrong?**
For no apparent reason the music stopped playing and everyone present seemed to
freeze as the Psi Cop made his way into Balfour's, accompanied by Stephen
Franklin.
Marcus sensed Stephen's worry and knew Franklin would have never allowed one of
his patients to leave Medlab unless something truly upsetting had occurred.
After exchanging a glance with Neroon, he joined Marc and placed a soothing
hand on the young man's shoulder. Whatever had happened, he wanted Marc to know
that he wouldn't have to cope with this on his own.
Sensing that reassurance comforted Marc and his troubled thoughts cleared for
one moment as the ranger's hand came to rest on his shoulder. The physical
contact made him more receptive to Marcus' intentions and he allowed the other
man to envelop him in calming emotions. ** I hope Al’s all right. It's too soon
to lose him; I need him!**
Byron searched all their faces till his gaze came to rest on the ranger. A
moment later his glance shifted to Marc. It was obvious he wasn't sure which
was the one he was looking for. " Marcus Cole?"
" That's me," the ranger replied and held the Psi Cop's gaze
prisoner.
" I need your help," Byron said in a tone, which betrayed his unease.
Softly probing the telepath's emotions, the ranger concluded that Byron was
shielding his thoughts and feelings extremely well.
Marc had also been trying to peek at Byron's feelings, but had to give up.
There was no way he would be able to penetrate those barriers, no matter how
well Al had trained him.
" Help?" Marcus said in a confused tone.
" Yes. But I think it would be best if we ....discussed this in
private," Byron replied. The Psi Cop studied their faces and realized they
felt uncomfortable being in his presence. Not wanting to upset them any more,
he whispered into Stephen's ear; " Take me to a secluded room."
Franklin understood the telepath's motives and nodded his consent.
Marcus gestured to Neroon and Marc to follow him. Together, they retreated to a
room at the back of the bar.
" I'm going to stay," Stephen said resolutely. " You're still my
patient and my responsibility, Byron."
The Psi Cop sat down, glad to be off his feet and ignored the doctor's
statement. The room stopped spinning at last and he sighed as he closed his
eyes.
" What kind of help do you need?" Marc wanted to know. Standing next
to the ranger, he noticed the annoyed expression in Neroon's eyes. The Minbari
was obviously displeased. Something unexpected had appeared; ruining his plans
for the night. Whenever the warrior's guard was down, like now, it was
surprisingly easy to tap into his emotions. Marc knew it must have something to
do with Marcus and Neroon being so incredibly close. ** This might be --fun--
when they get aroused!** he chuckled softly.
" Some days ago Alfred disappeared without any trace," Byron started,
but paused upon hearing Marc's gasp of surprised agony.
" NO!" Marc exclaimed horrified.
Surprised, Byron glared into his eyes and during one instant the telepath saw
the truth revealed there. ** He loves Bester.** It was a mere observation.
" What happened? " Marc managed to choke out. His throat was
strangely dry while his eyes were watering at the same time.
" I don't know what happened," Byron told them. " I only know
that Charles, Alfred's direct superior, told me to clean out Bester's
office...which I did. I didn't want them to grow suspicious. I tried to find
out what had happened to Alfred, but the only thing I managed to uncover was
the name Vanastar. I had to come here. No one was giving me any information and
I know Alfred saw this station as his last hope to save humanity from being
enslaved by the Shadows. That's why I'm asking for your help."
Marc tried hard not to show his anxiety upon hearing this news. ** I have to
find Al! No matter what, no matter how!** Irrational fear clawed at him and
loneliness wrapped itself around him like a smothering blanket.
Part 2
Back in their quarters the ranger studied Marc closely. The young man was
worried. "Marc?" he said softly.
" You know I have to find him...." Marc whispered and locked eyes
with the ranger. " I owe him my life and more importantly, I love
him."
" I do know," Marcus said, trying to soothe the young man. Looking at
the warrior at his side, Marcus wondered how he would react upon learning
Neroon had disappeared without any trace. ** I would do whatever necessary to
get him back,** he realized.
" You want to go after Bester," Neroon said while looking into Marc's
eyes. He had been studying the human.
" Yes," Marc replied, not denying a thing. " I love him."
Neroon nodded his head; he understood. " You can't do this on your
own."
" Why don't --you-- accompany Marc?" the ranger inquired. Marcus
didn't like the idea of Neroon leaving him alone for a longer span of time, but
the warrior was the only one capable of defending Marc. Although the young man
knew how to fight off attackers, Marc would be no match for a Psi Cop or
another powerful enemy.
Neroon shot the ranger a glare; hardly believing Marcus had spoken those words.
The warrior had to decide on a course of action. No, that wasn't true; Neroon
had always known this day would come. Marcus had to prove to himself that he
was still an able warrior; a ranger. While shaking his head, Neroon said;
" No, Marcus. --You-- will guide Marc in finding Bester. My place is at
Delenn's side."
Frozen in stunned agony, Marcus could only stare at the Minbari. " You
refuse to help Marc?"
" Yes." Neroon clasped his hands around those of his lover and rubbed
his knuckles." You once told me you needed to know whether or not you were
still able to perform your ranger duties. The time has come to find out. I hate
to let you go, but you have to do this," he told Marcus in a certain tone.
" Neroon, I'm not ready for such a responsibility. Marc might die should I
screw up," Marcus objected.
" Marcus? "
The ranger closed his eyes upon hearing the strangled tone to Marc's voice.
" Neroon is right you know....I feel the self-doubt in your mind."
Marc smiled weakly." I want you to know that I have complete confidence in
your abilities. That's why I'm asking --you-- to help me find Alfred. "
" Then you've got a lot more faith than I have." Marcus rose from the
sofa, studying them. Neroon's dark eyes were hooded, but he sensed the
determination in the Minbari. ** Neroon will make me do this. In his eyes I'm a
warrior.** the ranger sighed.
** Can
I admit to myself that I'm scared? That I'm afraid I'll endanger this mission
because of that self-doubt? Can I do
this?
**
" You have to take this step, my angel," Neroon whispered in a pained
tone. He didn't want to be left behind like this, but Marcus' confidence had to
be restored. " You're a warrior, Marcus."
" I'm not that sure," Marcus admitted before sitting down again.
Suddenly, Marc realized the amount of courage it would take the ranger to
overcome his fears. " We'll do this together," he said, offering some
reassurance.
Neroon growled his approval. " The both of you will leave tomorrow. Allow
me to arrange your transportation," the Minbari decided, not giving Marcus
a chance to weasel his way out of this one. After locking eyes with Marc,
Neroon said;" Please leave us alone for a moment. There are certain
matters we have to discuss."
" You can find me at my new quarters...should you need to talk to me,
Marcus." Sensing the ranger's distressed state of mind Marc reached out,
trying to comfort Marcus.
Receiving Marc's affection, the ranger smiled. " Thank you."
Marc felt lonely. Resting his body on the bed, he pushed himself deeper into
the comfort of the pillows. ** This bed is a lot more comfortable than that
sofa!** A gloomy darkness nestled into his mind as he thought back to what
Byron had told them; Charles had commanded him to clean out Alfred's office. **
It can only mean that Al is gone forever. But...am I fooling myself in hoping
that Al’s still alive? I can't believe he's dead. I would have felt
--something--!**
Curling himself into a tight ball, Marc shivered. ** I have to find him!** The
young man considered all possibilities and realized he had to learn more about
Charles. ** Byron can tell me more.**
Quickly swinging his feet onto the floor, he rose from the bed. He knew where
to find the telepath; in Medlab.
Stephen expected Marc to visit his patient. The expression in Marc's eyes had
given the young man away. Franklin now knew the truth; Marc truly cared for
Bester.
" Can I speak to Byron? In private? I'll keep it as short as
possible," Marc asked in a pleading tone.
" Yes, you can talk to him. But no longer than 15 minutes. Byron suffered
a severe concussion and needs rest." Stephen gave in to Marc's plea and
led him to Byron's room. " I'll be back in 15 minutes," the doctor
said.
Marc watched him leave and pulled up a chair to seat himself near the telepath
who was awake and eyeing him wearily. "Where can I find Alfred?" Marc
asked finally.
" I did some research before leaving headquarters. I found some files
indicating Alfred was taken to Vanastar; a small, Earth-like planet near the Centauri
border. There was no information available on the planet itself," Byron
informed him.
Frustrated, because he was still unable to register the Psi Cop's true
emotions, Marc stopped his gentle probing; Byron wasn't going to allow him in.
" Why do you want to help him?" Marc wanted to know.
" I really don't know," Byron replied and shrugged his shoulders; it
was the truth. " I do know that I don't want Alfred to be killed. He
doesn't deserve that."
" I'll do my best to find him.... alive." Marc added. Getting to his
feet, he tried once more to get hold of the Psi Cop's emotions. Mentally
cursing, Marc had to admit his attempt had failed once more.
" Neroon, I don't want to do this," Marcus admitted at last.
The warrior wrapped his arms more tightly around the ranger, understanding his
lover's hesitance. " You're afraid. "
" Yes, what if I'm captured? What if Marc dies due to my incompetence? I
don't want to cause his death!" Marcus closed his eyes.
" I can't force you to do this, Marcus." Neroon placed one kiss on
his lover's brow. The ranger's head rested on his shoulder, lolling back and
forth. " But I have faith in you, Marcus."
" How can you say that?" Marcus questioned, opening his eyes.
" It's the truth, my lover. I would entrust my life to you." Neroon
saw the doubt in the ranger's eyes.
" I don't really have a choice, do I? "
" No, no choice. Your destiny awaits you, Marcus. Remember that I will be
with you always....in spirit. I pray you will return to me and that Marc will
be reunited with the man he has chosen as his beloved." Neroon kissed away
the tears sliding down his lover's cheek. " I love you, Marcus and the
thought of you leaving me, hurts. But I love you enough to release you. "
" What if Marc and I get killed during this mission?" Marcus said,
burrowing his head beneath Neroon's.
" I will mourn your death....I will be lost for some time, but remembering
your compassion will give me the strength to carry on. " Neroon now leaned
in closer to claim his lover's lips. The warrior shivered, then smiled warmly.
" Why are we discussing the possibility of your death? You --will--
accomplish your mission and return to me." After kissing Marcus
passionately he said;”While you're away, I will light a candle each night
before going to sleep as a testimony to our love. You're a part of me."
" Neroon? Kiss me again. " Marcus said pleadingly. " This will
be our last night together. I need to feel you....I need to know you love
me....will remember me."
" My angel, I will always love you." Neroon breathed the confession
into his lover's mouth as he kissed the ranger hard.
In Medlab Byron did his best to get out of bed without being noticed. He had
seen a BabCom unit in the corridor and needed to make a call to Psi Corps
headquarters on Earth.
Luckily, it was now night time on the station and only one nurse had been left
to look after the patients. The Psi Cop knew the doctors would be on stand-by.
This was the best opportunity he was going to get to sneak out of his room.
Tiptoeing into the corridor, he noticed that the nurse was busy attending to a
patient. Byron accessed the BabCom unit and managed to establish a connection
with Earth headquarters.
PART 3
WHITE STAR
Awed, Marc continued to closely observe the Minbari crew. They were working
hard to get the White Star on the correct course and to conduct a long-range
scan. ** I want to learn how to pilot a White Star. They're fascinating!** Marc
had instantly fallen in love with the small, yet agile ships. Al had told him
that Marcus Cole was an excellent pilot. ** I guess I inherited his love for
flying as well, ** he chuckled mentally.
The ranger had seated himself in the central command chair on the bridge;
Lennier was at his side, constantly monitoring the progress they were making.
Marc caught the nervous sparkle in the ranger's eyes. It was evidence that Marcus
was still trying to deal with his fear that he was going to screw up the
mission. ** Neroon was right to insist that Marcus should accompany me. He
can't run forever.** The young man knew only too well which demons must be
haunting the ranger's memory; remembering that one time when Al had shown him
telepathically what Marcus had been through. Afterwards, Bester had assured him
that Ranan was dead; that the Centauri slave trader had paid for the pain he
submitted Marcus too. ** Al gave the order to have Ranan eliminated. I know he
wanted to kill Ranan himself. **
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, the ranger told himself to act casually,
like nothing at all was bothering him. ** But Marc knows my doubts,** he
realized and tried hard not to look at the young man who was standing behind
him. Marcus was briefly taken aback when Marc's affection and reassurance
washed through him. Marc was reading his emotions very easily now that the
young man had stopped focusing on his own. ** He learned that lesson too well!
Marc doesn't need my co-operation to roam my feelings! Great, I will have to
find a way to maintain a little privacy.** In truth, Marcus wasn't really
bothered by the young man being able to read his emotions. ** It might be a
good thing to have someone keeping an eye on me.** Lennier's voice woke him
from his musings and he forced himself to listen.
" We will arrive at Vanastar in 19.5 standard hours," Lennier
informed him.
" Understood, " Marcus replied, acknowledging the data.
Strolling nonchalantly across the bridge, Marc studied all screens and stared
in amazement at the crystals, which the Minbari used to manoeuvre the White
Star. " Being a ranger certainly has some advantages," Marc stated,
watching the ranger intensely. The expression on Marcus' face seemed a bit more
relaxed and calm. " Can I apply for the job? I think I would be a great
ranger myself," Marc said teasingly.
Hearing Marc's statement, the ranger wasn't sure how to react to it. " You
have no idea what it means to be a ranger, Marc. The training is brutal,
believe me. It's hard and dangerous work," Marcus said in the end.
" But you pulled it off!" Marc replied and moved till he stood beside
the ranger so he could lock eyes with him. The pain on Marcus' face stunned
him. ** What!?** he wondered. At first, a vicious pain tugged at his mind,
which turned into a dull ache, never forgotten, always remembered.
" Yes, I did," Marcus whispered in a melancholy tone; lost in thought
he paid no attention to any of them. The memory of William's death had returned
to haunt him.
But Marc saw the troubled expression in the Minbari's eyes. ** It feels like
Lennier is asking me not to question Marcus any further,** he realized. Taking
one more step closer to Marcus, he felt the ranger's confusion like it was his
own. He was about to apologize and change the subject when Marcus started to
speak.
" I joined the rangers because I made a promise," Marcus whispered in
a tone filled with agony.
" A promise?" Marc desperately wanted to know more. After a moment's
hesitation, he placed his right hand on the ranger's shoulder, intent on
picking up the underlying current of pain which Marcus was unsuccessfully
trying to hide.
The ranger trembled momentarily as he realized that Marc was trying to get into
the core of his pain. There was no more turning back now. " I made that
promise to my brother William as he died; he was a ranger as well," he
sighed and wished Neroon would be here to help him deal with this. There was
only one thing left he could do to lessen the emotional heartache. Marcus
pushed the memories back into a corner of his mind and buried them beneath the
obscure darkness. This wasn't the right time to share his past with Marc;
perhaps after they had finished this mission.
Marc flinched slightly as the ranger pushed back the hurt. This wasn't the
right way to deal with such grief; it would come back to torment him. ** Maybe
I can help him face it once we get back from this mission.** But he had to say
something to comfort Marcus. " I'm sorry you lost your brother. I would
have liked getting to know him. Will you tell me some more about your family
once we get back to Babylon 5? In a certain way, I consider your family to be
mine as well," he said sincerely.
Releasing a strangled sigh, Marcus nodded his head. " I will tell you,
Marc. But first we have to find Al." While checking the course and speed
of the White Star, Marcus realized that this was going to be a very exhausting
trip.
VANASTAR
The freezing cold had long settled into his bones as the rain started to pour
into his cell once more. Al had been dozing, lulled into sleep by the
hypnotizing chill that permeated his very soul. It was the peaceful sleep of
the dead, which had been creeping up onto him, but he woke just in time to
escape its bony claws as they stretched out to grasp his spirit.
A deafening silence inside this prison cell was screaming in his ears as he
found himself in complete misery and isolation. Moving slightly, Al noticed
that his clothes were soaking wet. The ropes were still cutting into the raw
flesh of his wrists. The rain had found a way into his cell and Bester shivered
as the ice-cold water dripped down his face, soaking the blindfold as well.
Coherent thought was beginning to elude him as he lost track of time. He tried
to focus on certain subjects, but after some minutes his thoughts would drift
off or seem to lose all sense of reality. This fact alarmed the Psi Cop more
than the cold wind, which had started to paralyse him.
** It has to be a fever...and the cold is weakening me, ** he realized in
despair. For some time now he had managed to avoid thinking about his own
death; not ready to face that possibility yet. But now as time was catching up
to him, he knew death would claim him shortly. There was no more use in denying
the truth; he was going to die inside this labyrinth!
** I'll die the way I lived most of my life, alone. ** The thought offered him
no consolation. Was it true that while dying one's entire life passed before
one's eyes? ** Looks like I'm going to find out now.**
Memories of Carolyn forced themselves into his mind. He had loved her; ** I
gave her the little love I was capable of, even if it wasn't that much. Perhaps
it's better this way. Maybe I should have asked Franklin to pull the plug on
her and ...our unborn child. What kind of life would our child have had? I
would have been forced to hand our child over to the Corps to be raised and
educated. After all, the Corps is mother and father. Considering the amount of
influence the Shadows are gaining, our child might have ended up inside one of
their ships. Yes, it's better this way. ** His thoughts drifted off once more
and he wondered if their child would have been a boy or a girl. ** A daughter
would have been nice; a girl with Carolyn's eyes to carry on the genes.**
People thought he already had a daughter. He remembered Alicia, the wife that
the Corp had chosen for him. At first he had thought they might have had a
chance of being happy, until that fateful afternoon he had decided to come home
early and he found her in bed with another man. "Why did you marry
me?" he had asked her. And her answer had stunned him.
" Because they asked me to." He never
believed the child was his.
Memories of Cadre Prime, and Brett, the leader, "Hey Alfie! We're gonna'
play cops' n' blips." They were always sticking him in the roll of a blip.
Only now did he wonder why. He remembered betraying Brett and the Grins
punishing him. Never would he forget the humiliation he had suffered back then.
He almost didn't notice that the memories, which Stephen Walters had poured
into his mind, back on Mars all those years ago were trying to sneak up on him.
Once he realized what he had set in motion, he smothered the memories with one
flash of mental energy. But his left hand ached and seemed to grow even
heavier, pulling his arm down towards the floor; which was impossible as his
arms were tied behind his back.
Cramped muscles made it hard for him to shift a little on the chair to attain a
more comfortable position. ** I never thought it would end like this...Of all
possible ways to die, it had to be this one. Alone and cold inside a living
maze!**
Al's head snapped back hearing an unidentified sound in the corridor. Charles
had locked the door...so the only logical explanation was that something was
trying to get inside. He remembered the things the old Psi Cop had told him
about the labyrinth, that it was alive and hungered for victims. Not able to
repress a shudder, he wondered if his time had come to die.
** Someone is trying to unlock the door,** Bester thought, as he was finally
able to label the noise he was hearing.
** But who?** His painful muscles stopped aching as
he bowed his head. ** Has Charles returned? Why would he do that? To gloat some
more?** No longer able to remain silent, Al decided to find out what was going
on. " Who's there?" He had wanted to say the words firmly and aloud,
but only a whisper managed to flee his lips in the end. Only now did he realize
that his throat ached and that the cold was affecting his vocal cords; he was
losing his voice!
Listening closely, Al recognized the noises at last; a key was being turned in
the lock to open the door. For the hundredth time cursing the blindfold he had
been forced to wear, he cocked his head in a desperate attempt to catch a
glimpse of the person or being who was stepping inside. But the fabric was
thick and denied him even that one glimpse.
Soft, hesitant, footfalls were closing in on him. Al tried to free himself from
the ropes once more, but all strength had left his body and without line of
sight his mental powers couldn't save him either. ** It isn't Charles...I don't
hear the sound his cane made.** Once more, he repeated his earlier question.
" Who are you?" This time, the words were hardly audible and the wind
almost killed them before they were spoken.
" I bring death...or salvation. What do you want?"
The female voice stunned him, leaving him speechless. ** I must be out of my
mind!**Al thought in horror.
" No, you're not out of your mind," the female voice continued.
" How?" A husky moan left his lips and Al knew that his voice would
be gone in a couple of hours. ** How did she manage to read my mind?** he
wanted to know. Still trying to peek underneath the blindfold, Al shook his
head in frustration. The footsteps came to a halt and a hand tugged at the
blindfold, pulling it loose at last.
As the piece of cloth swirled towards the floor, Al tried to focus his eyes,
but had to close them again as the light seemed to penetrate his very soul.
Where was that light coming from? Finally opening his eyes slowly, he
concentrated on the stranger standing in front of him. So many questions were
fighting for priority in his head that he'd lost track of the ones he had
wanted to ask in the first place. " Who are you?" This was getting
ridiculous! He had already asked that question.
" You don't know me," she said softly.
" Tell me your name," Al demanded, desperately trying to regain
control of this situation. The last two words of his demand had been mere
murmurs. If he kept trying to talk, he would lose his voice completely.
" Very well then," she gave in. " My name is Ariel."
Frantically searching his memory, Al had to admit she had been right; he didn't
know that name. Now that his eyes had adjusted to the light, coming from some
sort of lamp, he took in her appearance. The young woman was leaning heavily
against the wall. Her clothes were ripped and torn, but Al could have sworn it
had been a Psi Corps uniform once. That would explain why she had been able to
pick up his thoughts. Al was almost certain she was a telepath as he carefully
tried to scan her.
< I wouldn't do that without permission, > she told him in a sad tone.
Startled, Bester stopped his attempt and decided to communicate in the same
way. < You're a telepath? > He waited for her to reply but she remained
silent, watching him, studying him with her brown, almost golden eyes.
Realizing she wasn't going to answer him, Al returned to studying her
appearance. Her long, red hair was tangled and hadn't been combed for some
time. That hair, it reminded him of another woman who'd had the same red hair.
< Charles never told me that there was someone else stuck in the maze as
well, > he said, trying to get her to reveal more about herself.
< You must be uncomfortable being tied up like that. >
< Yes, > Al replied not sure how to react to her statement. < Why
don't you untie me? >
< I'm not sure I can trust you, Mr. Bester. > Ariel saw the bafflement on
his face as she addressed him using that name. Supporting her weakened body by
holding onto the wall, she tried to reach a decision. It was difficult.
< You know me? > Al was thinking hard. She knew his name, why didn't he
know her? ** Perhaps she's a rogue who has been hiding for a long time? **
< I know you. I've heard the stories they tell about you. About Al Bester,
the almighty Psi Cop, who kills without regret. You killed mundanes as well as
telepaths. > Ariel raised her head defiantly. < I'm not planning on being
your next victim. Tell me, how many more victims have to die before you're
satisfied? Charles did humankind a big favor in locking you up inside the
labyrinth. >
< Charles is a murderer himself! > Bester objected vehemently, but
couldn't deny the truth in her earlier statement. Yes, he had killed without
regret.
< But why do you feel that urge to kill? To make people suffer? Did you ever
ask yourself that question? > Ariel stared into his eyes and saw him shiver.
< No, you didn't. You're afraid, too afraid to face the truth. >
Losing his patience and composure at last, Al tugged once more at the tight
ropes. < If the only reason you came here is to mock me, I suggest you
leave. If I'm supposed to die, let me die! >
" Such arrogance," Ariel whispered in distressed tone, " such
pain." Pushing herself away from the wall, she walked back towards the
door. " The maze will not release you. You'll die in here. The only way
out is to face your past...but you're not ready to do that. I doubt you'll ever
find the courage to confront your past, " she added.
< Wait! > Realizing she was about to leave again, Al knew he had to stall
her a little longer. He couldn't let her leave before she had untied him. There
was no way of telling when and if she would return. In the meantime he could
die, being exposed to the cold and rain as he was. ** I have to find a way to
convince her to help me. **
Ariel waited for him to make his request. His thoughts were transparent and
easily picked up. This man was scared. She sensed his will to survive, the dark
deeds he had done in the name of a cause he thought was just. Saving his life,
and more importantly his soul, wouldn't be easy. About to leave him behind to
force him to think about the choices he had made in his life, she froze.
What was it she had seen in the back of his mind? Almost hidden underneath the
burden of his past choices? It was a red flame, burning brightly and clinging
onto life with tenacity she had seldom seen before. Lured closer, she stared
into his eyes and tore into his mind with a vengeance to find out what the Psi
Cop was hiding.
Al couldn't repress a moan of torment as she soared through his mindscape.
Quickly fortifying his barriers didn't help; she was too strong. How was this
possible? Even Charles hadn't managed to get through his defences and this girl
was doing it in mere seconds? What was she looking for?
Riding the thought patterns like a bird diving to the ground, she quickly
discovered the core of this warmth. To find this emotion inside Al Bester
stunned her. <Love? You truly love someone? I never thought you were capable
of love.>
< You have no right to take this secret away from me!!!> Al exclaimed and
finally felt how it was to be on the receiving end of a scan. Up until now he
had been the one to conduct the scans, to extract the information he needed. It
was very unsettling to be forced into this role reversal.
< You had no right to kill or manipulate those people as well, > she
pointed out to him, not allowing Bester to distract her from her search. An
image of a young man appeared, longhaired and full of life. < It's true. You
love and are loved,> she mused.
His energy deserted him and all Al could do was allow her to pass through his
mind till she would leave of her own free will. He had never felt this
powerless before and it scared him.
" Perhaps you're not lost yet. Love is a very powerful emotion."
Ariel walked into the corridor. " I advise you to think about your future
and your past."
< What future? It's obvious you won't untie me. I will die here. >
Defiantly staring into her eyes, he waited for her to lock the door.
" Yes, you will die in here," she whispered. " I will be
back."
< No! Untie me first!!!> Al demanded in anger.
" Still ordering people around are you?" Fatigued, Ariel wiped back
some hair from her face.
Al shivered seeing the intense expression in her eyes and he cringed as the
door slammed shut. < NO!!> He yelped in despair.
" You have much to learn." Ariel whispered stepping into the corridor.
She told herself to ignore the mind cry echoing in her head.
BABYLON 5
Neroon didn't like his new assignment. Being Delenn's aide meant dealing with a
lot of work. The warrior knew it was an honor to be chosen as her assistant,
but it was an honor he could have done without. Delenn had kept him busy all
day and Neroon suspected that she was doing so on purpose; to make sure he
wouldn't have the time to worry about Marcus.
It was almost midnight when she dismissed him. Stepping into his new rooms, which
were a part of Delenn's quarters, he sighed. Neroon walked into the bathroom
and slipped into a more comfortable robe. Delenn had asked him not to wear his
warrior uniform while replacing Lennier, and he had given in, but reluctantly.
These robes reminded him of the mistake he had made when proclaiming the
Warrior Caste as his choice. " But Elaan was wise enough to make the
correct choice," he mused in contentment.
The time had come to keep his promise to Marcus and to light that candle. After
sitting down cross-legged, he stared into the candle's flame and closed his
eyes at last.
" Marcus, wherever you are, my spirit travels with you. I pray that your
journey will be a safe one and you will master all dangers awaiting you." Opening
his eyes, Neroon felt lonely and finally realized he had become dependant on
the ranger as well.
PART 4
VANASTAR
Ariel lowered herself gingerly in the uncomfortable wooden chair. Thankfully, her
cell was positioned lower in the maze and the rain couldn't get in. Feeling
cold and confused, she pulled the long robe closer, which she had picked up
from the bed. Empty-eyed, she stared into the small fire she had managed to get
going and thought of the Psi Cop in the other cell. He was cold and miserable,
but still fighting his past. Alfred Bester had surprised her, however. The
moment she had discovered that one red, burning spark inside his mind, she had
known that there was a chance he would be able to escape the maze.
The wall felt cold, but as she placed the palm of her hand against it, the
stones shuddered underneath her fingertips. For five years now she had been
buried alive here. Charles had placed her here, hoping she would be dead the
next time he would visit the maze to drop off more prisoners. He never expected
to find her alive. The truth was that she had managed to negotiate a deal with
the maze. The labyrinth wasn't strong enough to kill her by using its deadly
illusions. Her high psi rating had made it impossible for the maze to beat her.
But she was a prisoner nonetheless; the labyrinth would never release her
willingly. There was only one way to get out alive, to face its demons and to
conquer them.
She had never intended to free him from the blindfold, but it had been so long
since she had been able to talk to another human being that her curiosity had
gotten the better of her. And then she had discovered that Bester was in love
and that someone loved him back. ** I never thought he would be able to take
that step.**
She had heard a lot of the Psi Cop, who had risen quickly to his current
position. The fact that he had turned in a number of rogues had tipped the
scale to his advantage. Charles had told her a lot about Bester when she had
been a teen-ager and now she did her best to remember his stories.
** No, ** she berated herself, ** it shouldn't matter any more. I sensed a
change in him, a change he's fighting so hard he never noticed it taking place.
This young man set everything in motion.** She hadn't been able to find out his
name; Bester had managed to keep that from her. The Psi Cop never noticed how
much strength it had taken her to push through his barriers.
Still postponing making her decision to help or not to help Alfred Bester, she
began to hum a song from her childhood. She had never known her mother, but she
did remember the lullaby's her mentor had taught her.
Years later, after she had completed her training and had left the base as a
fully authorized Psi Cop, she still remembered those soothing songs. Like
Bester, she had her own demons she had to deal with.
** I could have fled the maze a long time ago. But then again, I know it's not
my time to leave yet. I have to wait a little longer.** Since her birth she'd
had those vivid dreams. Dreams of the future, which had shown her what was to
be. She had spent years fighting and ignoring them, till they had started to
haunt her in the daytime as well. Even awake, the visions had intruded on her
thoughts and in the end, she had been forced to acknowledge them. That had been
the moment she had turned against Psi Corps. Charles had acted immediately and
had taken her to the maze.
** I'm still alive.... If one can call this living,** she mused saddened. Time
was closing in on her. She knew that if she wanted to help Alfred Bester she
had to act now, before the Psi Cop would succumb to the cold and the fever. **
What must I do?** she asked herself; hoping to be guided by another vision.
Closing her eyes, she rubbed her own cold hands to warm them a little.
WHITE STAR
" Marc, I know you didn't sleep that well last night. You worried all
night about Alfred. I insist you rest --now--." Marcus stared into the
young man's eyes. There was going to be a struggle of wills here; he could tell
by Marc's expression.
" Alright! You win!" Reluctantly, Marc gave into the ranger's demand
to get some sleep and settled down in one of the chairs on the bridge and
closed his eyes. " Are you satisfied now?"
The ranger shook his head in dismay. Marc could be incredibly headstrong and
Marcus wondered if that was another character trait locked up in his genes. “
You know that I want you to leave the bridge and to get some decent
sleep!" he pointed out to the young man. This was a real test of patience
and Marcus was afraid he was going to lose.
" I can sleep here as well." Marc had no intention of leaving the
bridge. The moment Vanastar appeared on screen he wanted to be here, not
running through the ship to find the bridge, but there was more. He knew Marcus
wanted to protect him and Marc kind of expected the ranger to leave for
Vanastar without telling him about it.
" Marc. If you don't go --now--, voluntarily, I'll ask Lennier to
accompany you to the sleeping quarters and believe me.... Lennier has his ways
to persuade you to do as you're told." Waiting for Marc's response, the
ranger exchanged a glance with the young Minbari and saw understanding in
Lennier's eyes who agreed with him.
" I will take you there. Please follow me," Lennier stated in a
resolute tone and shot Marcus an amused smile.
" I'm lost..." Marc murmured in acted distress. " You guys are
teaming up against me! Not fair."
" You bet we are!" the ranger exclaimed. " Seriously," he
added after a moment," you need the rest and you know it. Once we arrive
at that maze you won't have a opportunity to rest."
" Yes, daddy. I will be good and go to bed." Marc replied teasingly
and relished seeing the shock in the ranger's eyes.
" Don't call me daddy," Marcus said softly. " I have already got
a son."
Marc's curiosity had been stirred and he was determined not to give in before
he had uncovered everything there was to know. " A son?"
" Neroon has a son, Elaan. Neroon has been going on about me becoming
Elaan's legal guardian as well. " Marcus reluctantly replied.
" Hold on, " Marc interjected, " does this mean I've got a....
brother?"
Clutching his head, Marcus gave up and looked pleadingly at Lennier. "
Please take him away? Garibaldi was right; he --is-- a pain in the arse!"
" I heard that!" Marc followed Lennier towards the exit; a broad grin
flashed across his features.
" What's this?" Marc circled the Minbari platforms in disbelief.
" You can't expect me to sleep on these! I will slide down and end up on
the floor. Come to think of it, the floor seems to be a good place to sleep
right now!" Watching Lennier, he waited for the Minbari to take him to the
beds set aside for humans.
" Minbari always sleep at this angle," Lennier explained, grinning
softly. " We consider sleeping in the horizontal to be tempting death.
" And what about Neroon? I have seen him sleep in a regular bed! "
Marc objected, enjoying the verbal sparring a bit too much. It took away some
of his tension and he could tell by looking at Lennier's eyes that the young
Minbari was playing with him.
" Neroon is an exception to the rule." Lennier's grin broadened.
" Please lie down."
" No way!" Stubbornly looking for an alternative, he considered
sleeping on the floor once more.
Lennier decided to play dirty. " Did you not say you desire to become a
ranger? Then you will have to learn to sleep on this platform. There are no
human beds at the training facility at Tuzanor," he added with a smirk on
his face.
Marc had to give in. " You don't fight fair, Lennier. I thought you were
one of the good guys." Cautiously, he rested his body on the platform. Not
sure what to think of sleeping this way, he knew he had no other choice than to
give it a try.
" I will wake you when the time is right," Lennier promised.
Satisfied, the young Minbari turned to leave. He was surprised that Marc was
already slipping into sleep.
" Don't tell any one, Lennier," Marc whispered, " but this is
rather comfortable."
Lennier nodded his head and left the sleeping quarters to return to the bridge.
Sleeping tightly, his dreams contorted and fell apart. Marc trembled and began
to sweat. Troubled thoughts were becoming part of him and a terrifying cold was
moving through him like a sharp blade. ** Cold? ** Some part of his brain
questioned. ** It shouldn't be cold in here!**
In his dreams he found himself in a small room, four stonewalls had him
cornered and the wooden door was closed; no way out. Rain was beating down on
him and his body felt weak and tired.
** What the hell?** that same part of his brain remarked, as something sharp
cut the skin of his wrists. He smelled blood and fear; despair lingered in the
chilly air. ** I'm no longer onboard of the White Star?**
Stupefied, Marc stared down at his body. ** Why am I wearing a Psi Corps
uniform? ** Was his concern for Al causing this awful dream? Trying hard to
wake up, he shook his head. Marc moaned as his tense muscles ached because of
the movement.
On the bridge, Marcus felt a similar cold wash through him. But it vanished
quickly, leaving him stunned. **Marc?** His instincts urged him to take action.
Focusing inward, the ranger reached out to Marc. He had to know the young man
was safe. Only confused thoughts and blurred emotions answered him and Marcus
realized something was wrong. " Lennier, take over the bridge!" he
told the startled young Minbari.
" Take over the ...?" Lennier's voice dropped, disbelief written all
over his face. " I am not qualified to do that."
" Just do it, Lennier. I'll be back shortly. I need to check on
Marc." The ranger dashed out of the room and ran down the corridor. The
feelings he was receiving grew more distant and the images darkened. ** Not a
good sign,** he sighed mentally. He turned around the corner; the door opened
and he rushed inside.
On the platform was Marc, sweating heavily and moaning in anguish. Marcus
realized he had to do something. Not having a clue what was wrong with the
young man, he touched Marc's brow and concentrated on the emotions flowing
towards him. ** What? ** He used Marc’s eyes to see and found himself in a
darkened room. The darkness, the stench of fear and blood reminded him of the
time he had spent at Caim’s base on Mars as the Psi Cop had interrogated
him" Marc? Where are you?" he whispered, -- no, attempted to whisper--,
no words left his lips.
< I'm here....Got no idea where we are. Are you awake, Marcus?>
Horrified, the ranger forgot to breathe hearing that mind voice. " Marc,
is that you?"
< Yes, it's me, all right.>
Marcus shook the young man on the platform forcefully. " Whatever you're
doing you have to stop! You're dragging us to places where we shouldn't
be!" he yelped at the young man as the truth finally dawned on him.
Green eyes flashed open and looked at the ranger in shock. He was back onboard of
the White Star; the cell was gone, the dark Psi Cop uniform had vanished as
well. Running his fingers over his wrists he saw the skin there was whole.
" Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Marcus said in a perplexed tone. **
I should have asked Alfred to tell me everything about you! I have been
careless.**
" Tell you what?"
" That you're a bloody telepath!" The ranger sat down on another
platform and tried to make sense of everything that had happened so far. "
How? I'm not a telepath, only an empath, so how the hell can you be one?"
" Me? A telepath? Marcus, I'm no telepath!" His voice trembled as he
searched his memory.
" You spoke to me telepathically. How else...." Marcus grew silent as
he tried to deal with this unexpected revelation.
" I..." Marc's thoughts rushed back to that day when Al had killed
Dana and had freed him from his prison. During their verbal exchange, Dana had
told Al something he had never really understood.
" What are you doing?" Marcus grabbed the sides of the platform as he
looked into a room while being locked up in some sort of tank.
< This is where I was....'made'.> Marc explained, instinctively slipping
back into using telepathy. < Al freed me...But before that happened, Dana
said something...> Homing in on that moment, he dragged the ranger further
into his past.
Marcus moaned as loneliness washed through. Up until this moment he had never
realized what Marc had been through in the first days of his life. Dana was
slithering in front of his tank and Marcus was part of the young man locked up
in it. They both looked at the scene, which had taken place that fateful day.
< This is it! Listen!> Marcus heard the voice and for
that instant it was his voice, not Marc....< No, it's our voice,> they
both realized. Drawn to Dana's voice, they listened.
" Cole's an empath. I'm a telepath and an empath. That's why I was able to
meld with my Shadow. Marcus' empathic powers make him the perfect host, add to
that the gene of a telepath...."
< Add to that the gene of a telepath...> The words echoed in their mind.
Marc broke the connection and released the ranger. Shocked, he stared into
Marcus' eyes. Wanting, desperately needing an answer, some kind of explanation,
he waited for the other man to speak.
" Dana altered you." Marcus said in the end after he had managed to
compose himself. Marc's little demonstration of his new powers had left him
shaken. " You're a telepath as well, Marc."
" Why didn't Al know?" His fingers moved to stroke back some locks,
which had been partly covering his face.
" My guess? Marcus started, " I think he never --consciously--
registered that particular remark. He must have been stunned to find you there
in the first place. And later on....perhaps love blinded him," the ranger
hesitantly suggested.
" I can't believe it! I'm a telepath?"
" Looks like it. I suggest you ask Lyta or Talia for advice once we get
back. You need some training handling your ability. I would hate to get drawn
into your past again," Marcus admitted, glancing apologetically at the young
man.
" You're right. I wonder what Al is going to say when he finds out."
The name made him hurl back in time, into his dreams remembering the Psi Cop
uniform. " Do you think I .... managed to contact Al somehow?"
Marcus considered the question. " If you did, it means Al is still
alive."
" Yes," Marc breathed relieved.
" Want to get some more sleep?"
" No, I need to think this over." Marc locked eyes with the ranger.
< Does it hurt when I talk to you this way?>
Startled momentarily, Marcus closed his eyes. " No, no discomfort,"
he sighed," Marc. I know you want to explore this, but be careful. You
have no idea what you're getting into," the ranger cautioned the young
man, while sending him some reassurance.
< Can you answer me in your mind?> Marc wanted to know, eager to find out
what his limits were. Seeing Marcus' hesitation he continued; < Try it.
Please?>
The pleading in Marc's voice made the ranger try. < Here's goes nothing.>
< I heard that, up here!> Marc pointed at his head and smiled. < Talk
to me some more?> He remembered how good it had felt to hear Al’s voice in
his mind and apparently he was strong enough to aid Marcus in replying to him
telepathically.
< Please, I want this. We haven't arrived at
Vanastar yet and I'm sure this White Star will fly on without you being on the
bridge.>
< Marc, we shouldn't do this.> For some reason it felt natural to Marcus
to communicate this way; but he didn't want to know why.
< This is fun!> Marc grinned and managed to send the ranger some
affection at the same time. Stunned, he received Marcus' apprehension.
<What's wrong?>
< You do realize we'll have
to make you a Minbari citizen? As a human you're a latent and Psi Corps is
within its right to claim you for their means. >
< Damn, forgot about that!> Marc said baffled; the ecstasy of the moment
was declining quickly.
< Don't worry about that, Marc,> the ranger replied soothingly, "
We'll just have to turn you into a ranger so you can claim Minbari
citizenship.> Marcus rose from the platform and extended his hand. "
Let's get back to the bridge. I'm not sure Lennier can handle all this
responsibility; he isn't qualified to be in charge of a White Star,"
Marcus quipped, trying to get rid of some lingering tension by cracking a joke.
< That's means I'm going to be a ranger after all!> Marc wisecracked,
coaxing a growl of mock despair from Marcus.
" And stop talking to me...like that. We should keep this a secret, at
least for now."
" I understand," Marc replied, feeling deprived of the ranger's mind voice.
< But when alone can we please do it this way?>
Marcus knew the young man wouldn't take a no for an answer and gave in, partly
tempted to explore this mental connection as well. < This time, you win,
Marc.>
VANASTAR
Shivers racked his freezing body and his teeth gnashed. Al was losing
consciousness quickly and his one sentient thought consisted of an image of
Marc. A love he had found too late in life. ** I hope you'll forget me,** was
all the coherent thought he managed. So cold, too cold.... so wet, the rain
whipped against his icy skin. Drips of water splashed onto the floor, creating
the only sound heard in between these four walls which were going to be his
grave in a couple of minutes.
He had let go of all hope ever since she had closed the door on him. For some
time he had hoped she would return; her last words “ I will be back ” had given
him hope. But that hope had been smashed; she hadn't returned.
Raising his head one last time, Al first focused his stare on the blindfold on
the floor. He managed to study his surroundings during one lucid moment and
realized that his prison cell did resemble a room from that old Irish castle.
A dream sneaked up on him in his half-slumber; he was back on Babylon 5 and
Marc was in his arms, kissing him madly. Al chuckled, then had to cough. **
Illusions, all illusions. ** he reminded himself in the end.
Closing his eyes for the last time, he was bested by the cold and began
slipping away into the eternal sleep of the dead, never noticing Marc's mind
briefly touching his.
PART 5
CIVILIAN CRUISER LOKI
" This is truly excellent wine!" Stephen said, extremely pleased with
the choice he had made. Seated opposite of him was Byron, nipping from a glass
of water.
Franklin had seen the suspicious looks the passengers had given the Psi Cop as
they had entered the restaurant section of the Cruiser. People had quickly paid
their bills, or had called the waiter and demanded to be re-seated. A number of
tables close to them had already been vacated. Stephen had caught Byron's
embarrassment for causing this upstart.
Once more looking calm, the Psi Cop tried to ignore the general feeling of
discomfort lingering in the restaurant.
Their assigned waiter was polite, but it was obvious he disliked having to
serve their table.
" How can you stand it?" Franklin softly inquired; annoyed at the way
these people were acting towards Byron.
" I don't think I'll ever get used to it," the Psi Cop had to admit,
avoiding looking at the few guest who had remained seated. Placing his glass
onto the table, he smiled weakly." It's understandable people react like
this, I guess. The unknown scares people and when you're not a telepath it's
hard to understand that someone else --can-- read your mind. They feel
intimidated. For some unknown reason, most mundanes think that all a telepath
wants to do, is to be inside their mind, to invade their privacy, to read all
their little secrets," Byron pointed to some of the guests who were
staring at him and started to get carried away. "In truth, telepaths spend
a lot of time keeping all the voices out of their head. " He took a bite
from the salad, hoping this subject was over and done with it. Discussing this
with a mundane made him uncomfortable; this doctor couldn't understand him, no
matter how hard Franklin would try.
" I've wanted to ask this question for some time and since we're now
talking about it...would you mind me asking you a personal question?"
Franklin studied the young man and wondered what lay hidden behind his eyes.
" Ask," Byron said and waited for Stephen to continue.
" What's it like to be a telepath? A Psi Cop? When I look at Bester he
seems fairly confident, cocky, arrogant. He looks down on us, mundanes as he
likes to call us, but when I listen to you I get a different picture."
" Alfred, well. You should ask --him-- why he's the way he is. I can't
answer that question," Byron said, avoiding the doctor's eyes." For
my part, I could have done without being born a telepath." Byron had to
pause; he was still feeling light-headed due to the concussion he had suffered
and Franklin was asking questions he didn't want to answer.
" Tell me more," Stephen insisted. Part of him wanted to know more
about his patient; the other part wanted to research, study this subject.
" It's like I said before; as a telepath you have to shut out all the
voices from the people around you. When people are upset, it's extremely hard
to do so. Their thoughts come crushing in on you. Sometimes it's hard to hold
onto the silence."
" Are you telling me all telepaths need to be trained to be able to do
this? Is that the reason why Psi Corps insists all telepaths have to sign up
with them?" Stephen's remark had been loaded with sarcasm and he regretted
not having been more careful before stating it.
Byron tensed and glared at him; sensing the provocative attack.
" Sorry, I was out of line there," Stephen apologized.
The Psi Cop didn't reply at first; not sure how to make a mundane understand why
Psi Corps was a necessity, in spite of all the wrongs the Corps had committed.
" Without training, telepaths would create havoc. There would be
unauthorized scans, manipulation of thought and intention, " he said in
the end, realizing how insignificant his explanation sounded and realized he
had doubts about the Corps as well; he'd always had them. But voicing them was
a completely different matter. Hell, he had never before tried to explain
something like this to a mundane! Looking into Stephen's eyes he saw doubt
reflected there. The doctor remained unconvinced, which didn't surprise him.
Hesitantly he whispered;" Imagine someone born a telepath, but his family
not knowing how to handle that 'gift'. The child would be ridiculed, never
understanding this ability. Instead of receiving the proper training to use
this ability, the child would end up smothered and mentally damaged. The Corps
can prevent that from happening."
Franklin had to admit that there was some truth in that last statement, but
asked: " Is it true all family ties are severed once a telepath is claimed
by the Corps?" Mentally, he was making notes on the subject. There was
very little data available on the Corps itself.
" Can't deny the truth of that one," Byron whispered," I never
knew my mother. I have no idea if she's alive or dead or what her name is. I
have.... had a brother, a twin brother," he revealed reluctantly.
" I'm sorry," Stephen regretted bringing up the subject. Observing
the Psi Cop, he was unable to read the expression in his eyes. ** It's not
grief.**
" No need to be sorry," Byron replied, finally locking eyes with
Franklin." We weren't close and to be honest, I disliked him. He inherited
too many of our father's vices."
" You got any more relatives?" Stephen asked. Byron appeared willing
to discuss this subject so he was going to take advantage of it.
" My father is still alive and active within the Corps. I also have one
sister, but she disappeared 5 years ago. I have no idea where she is,"
Byron paused, gauged Stephen's reaction to his story and anticipated his next
question: " Yes, we're all Psi Cops."
" Have you never tried finding her? The doctor sipped from his wine,
slowly getting depressed hearing Byron's story.
" My father made it perfectly clear that he wouldn't approve such an
action," Byron said in the end." My father is Alfred's superior and
can be....rather difficult to get along with."
" Figured that much," Stephen admitted." I do hope you'll find
your sister one day. I hope you don't mind me saying this, but your father
seems to be quite a ..." jerk, he had wanted to say, but refrained from
doing so just in time, " a tyrant."
" Yes, he is." Byron didn't want to talk about this any longer; he
was revealing too much to the doctor. Quickly, he finished his dinner.
Stephen saw the reluctance to continue this discussion any further and
respected that.
" I'm going to return to my room now," Byron announced, rubbing his
temples.
Stephen noticed it. " Head bothering you?" The doctor in him took
over. In a certain way Byron still was his patient.
" Yes, I've got a headache." Byron managed to get to his feet, but
swayed dangerously as his sense of equilibrium failed to keep him balanced.
" Are you alright?" Rising to his feet as well, Franklin made sure he
was close enough to catch the other man in case he should faint. “ I did bring
those pain killers along I offered you."
" I better accept that offer. My head is killing me." Byron murmured,
thankful the vertigo was diminishing again.
" You wait here. I'll head back to my room and collect them. Then I'll
walk you to your room and examine you to make sure no complications have
appeared." Turning on his heels, Franklin addressed the Psi Cop once more.
“ You stay here and off your feet!"
Byron watched him dash out of the restaurant and realized this was the
opportunity he had been waiting for; if only his head would stop pounding!
Biting down the pain, he retreated to one of the secluded rooms in the back of
the restaurant where some Com units had been placed. The seclusion of the rooms
guaranteed the user of the units some degree of privacy; it was all he needed.
He sat down in front of the screen and punched in a secret code, which would
give him immediate access to Charles' office.
Stephen slid the little package containing the painkillers into one of his
pockets and quickly left his room again. On his way back to the restaurant, he
didn't encounter too many people. It was close to midnight and most passengers
had already turned in to get some sleep. Now that he was no longer in Byron's
presence, he admitted to himself that the Psi Cop confused him. ** Can I trust
him or not? ** Partly, he wanted to trust the young man but his instincts were
warning him to be careful.** I should give him the benefit of the doubt,** he
mused as he entered the restaurant. Searching the establishment with his eyes,
he realized Byron had disappeared.
" Excuse me," Franklin said, addressing the waiter who had served
them, " Do you know where the blond man has gone who I was having dinner with?"
He was still hesitant to call the Psi Cop a friend.
" He's inside one of the Com-rooms," the waiter replied, not eager to
get involved in this matter.
" Thanks." Stephen walked over to the separate area; it took him some
time to find the right room. At last, he heard Byron's voice; soft, hardly
audible. The door was ajar and although he hated to eavesdrop, he decided to
listen closely.
" You want me to take him to Vanastar? Why? Franklin wasn't involved in
killing Caim! "
The Psi Cop seemed cornered; Stephen heard the aversion in Byron's voice. **
And why are they talking about me? And what is Vanastar? Never heard of such a
place!** Taking another step, he managed to peek inside as well. Yes, Byron's
facial expression was worried. Then he remembered hearing that name, Caim,
before and grew more alert; it was the name of the Psi Cop who had tortured
Marcus. ** I can't trust Byron after all,** Franklin realized.
A harsh voice answered Byron. " You will do as you're told! Take him to Vanastar
or else...It's up to you to make sure your sister stays alive."
Franklin clearly registered the threat; someone was forcing Byron to play
along! If only he could get a good look at that screen! Byron's head slumped to
his chest and Stephen saw the defeated expression in the young man's eyes. **
He must love his sister a lot.** About to sneak off, he accidentally bumped
into a chair. " Damn!" Cocking his head to glance at Byron, he knew
he had been found out.
Acting immediately and on instinct, Byron reached out with his mind. ** I can't
allow him to leave!** Byron launched a mental attack, using his powers to
render the doctor unconscious.
Stephen stumbled on his feet as the room started to close in on him. It felt
like his brain was going to explode! Somehow, he knew this was Byron's doing.
Grabbing the chair, he tried to get back onto his feet....but failed. Darkness
descended onto him and his eyes closed as he fainted.
Byron quickly terminated the connection and rushed towards Franklin, kneeling
down beside him. ** I'm sorry. I don't want to do this, but I can't let my
sister die,** he thought distressed, ** I don't have a choice.**
" Can I help? "
Byron glared at the waiter, who immediately backed down. " No, my friend only
needs to take his medication. He will be fine once he gets to his quarters. I
know what to do."
The waiter nodded and left them alone, realizing he was dealing with a Psi Cop
here.
Hauling Franklin to his feet, Byron tightly wrapped his arms around Franklin's
chest. There was only one more thing to do now; arrange for a flyer that would
take them to Vanastar.
VANASTAR
Ariel had been waiting for a vision to tell her what to do concerning Alfred
Bester, but no dream had appeared. It could only mean one thing; she was
supposed to take a balanced decision herself. ** The future is always in
movement, shaping, reshaping. I will have to rely on my own judgment this
time.**
A terrible cold welcomed her the moment she stepped back into the corridor;
Ariel was no longer reluctant to take action. The labyrinth knew what she was
up to and infuriated growls echoed all around her. She knew the maze couldn't
hurt her, but it would try to stop her from helping Bester. ** It better try
real hard then.** Her mind was made up; she was going to try and help the Psi
Cop. It was a huge risk, she knew that. There was no way of knowing what tricks
Bester still might have up his sleeve.
The door to the Psi Cop's cell was locked. It was the labyrinth, trying to
prevent her from attending to the man inside. ** The maze will never learn,**
she sighed and placed her hands upon the wood. Pitiful moans floated through
the corridor as the labyrinth had to give in. A moment later, the door swung
open and was she able to step inside.
** He looks much worse,** she realized and hoped she hadn't waited too long in
coming here. Ariel knelt in front of the Psi Cop and gently rubbed his temples,
trying to gauge his physical condition. ** A little later and I would have
found him dead,** she thought. ** He's still holding onto that last bit of life
inside him, because he doesn't want to let go of his love. ** Reaching behind
him, she untied Bester. The Psi Cop slumped forward against her shoulder and
she was barely able to pull him to his feet. His breathing was shallow and
slow. ** I have got to hurry.**
Dragging him towards the door, Ariel whispered into his ear; " I hope
you're worth all the trouble we'll have to go through, Mr. Bester. The
labyrinth will fight us." The maze had never before released a victim and
now that she was on the brink of claiming one of its prisoners for life, it
would fight her at all cost.
As she pulled him into the corridor, the wall shuddered. The maze wanted her to
return Bester to his cell. " Give it your best shot, then," she
challenged it. There were only a few more feet left to her cell and she could
have covered the distance within a couple of minutes, if the maze hadn't
interfered.
The walls around her began to shift in color, from brown to red. The stones turned
blurry shifting their shape; clawed hands appeared. A hundred grabbing hands,
pulling her back, snatching at Bester's clothes, not willing to let them leave.
" Damnit," she cursed as one of those hands managed to curl around
her neck, trying to suffocate her. ** I really don't have a choice. It's a good
thing Bester is still unconscious. This is something I rather keep a secret,**
she mused and focused her mind.
Another legion of hands appeared from out of nowhere, but these were white,
skeleton- like. In her mind she envisioned those hands, pushing back the claws
the maze had constructed. Opening her eyes, she sighed upon realizing that her
tactic was working; one skeleton hand had crushed the hand, which had been
strangling her.
The maze groaned in distress and Ariel used that moment to drag Bester into her
own cell. With another lash of her mind she closed the door. Her goal had been
achieved; Bester had been freed and the maze hadn't succeeded in holding her
back. ** Thankfully Bester doesn't know I'm a telekinetic as well.** Pulling
him onto the small cot, she started to get him out of the wet clothes. It was
much warmer in here. The fire, still burning with a vengeance, was fed by her
mental energy.** There are advantages to being a teek.**
It took her longer than expected to undress the Psi Cop and roll him into the
two blankets she owned. As she pulled the gloves from his hands, she flung them
into a corner of the room. She hated those gloves more than anything.
Amazed, she looked at his left hand; strangely twisted into holding onto one
gesture; like it had been frozen in time. Refraining from touching, she
realized she had to get the fever down which the cold had caused.
Rummaging in the little packages she kept beneath her bed, she retrieved some
sort of soup. Using the water the rain had provided her with, she warmed some
of it in a small kettle, pouring the soup into it. She had found some of these
items years ago as four ignorant archaeologists had tried to unravel the
mystery of the maze. After the labyrinth had killed them, she had retrieved the
supplies and had taken them with her. ** I would have never survived this long
without them, and the food items Daniel, Charles' assistant, smuggles into the
maze. If father finds out, the poor man will die.**
A sigh escaped her lips. If it hadn't been for the visions she would have been
able to flee this maze years ago, but the dreams had been persistent, telling
her to remain here. Her presence was needed in the near future, so she had
stayed.
She walked over to the small bed and sat down. Al was moving about in his
sleep; eyes tightly closed, she could see the movement underneath the closed
eyelids. The fever had a strong hold on him, feeding him dreams.... nightmares?
Ariel opened her mind, lowered her barriers slightly, to see what the Psi Cop
was dreaming about.
< Marc, where are you? I can't find you,> was the one thought that
prevailed in Al’s mind.
It made Ariel smile. " Perhaps not all
hope is lost yet. If he's your reason to fight, there may be some good lurking
inside you after all," she whispered. The fever wouldn't release Bester
and she knew she had to wait to see if he could beat it. < Try to drink
this,> she told him, not sure whether he was able to receive that message.
Al stirred however, but never opened his eyes.
After having pushed him into a sitting position, she made him sip from the hot
soup.** I can't believe I'm actually helping Alfred Bester!** she thought and shook
her head in disbelief. Well, she had made her decision. ** Better see this
through.**
The hot liquid was forced down his throat and made him cough violently. His
cold body was no longer used to this warmth. Tired, immensely fatigued, Al gave
in. Shivering, he sensed someone close to him and in his feverish state he
reached out again, hoping to find Marc's mind.
Ariel registered his attempt, but remained silent. She couldn't feed him false
hope and she had no idea how he would react to her presence. Satisfied the Psi
Cop had drunk all the soup, she placed the bowl on the floor. < Try to
sleep,> she advised him.
< Marc, where are you?> Al was frantically trying to find the young man's
mind close to him. Marc had become his lifeline; the one reason he was still
fighting the fever.
< He's safe, don't worry about him.> Ariel made sure he was once more
lying down and covered him with the blankets.
< Marc?> Al was slipping back into his feverish dreams.
" Yes, sleep now and dream of your love. It's the only thing which can
save you." Ariel got up from the bed and started to pace the room. Alfred
Bester was near death. ** Do I --really-- want him to live? He's weak and death
still may claim him,** she asked herself. Searching her feelings, she reached a
conclusion at last. ** He deserves a second chance. If he reverts to being his
old, bitter self, I will have to correct my mistake in saving him. But yes, to
answer my own question; if necessary, I will give him some of my own energy. It
will weaken me for some time, but I can draw new energy from the maze itself.**
LABYRINTH PART 6
BABYLON 5, AMBASSADOR DELENN'S QUARTERS
Bored, Neroon stared at the now blank Com-screen. He had spent the last hour
trying to locate Ambassador Mollari to remind him of an upcoming meeting with
Delenn. In the end he had managed to find the Centauri, but only because Vir
had assisted him. Making a mental note to search the amusement section first
next time he needed to speak to Mollari, he leaned back into the comfort of the
chair. ** I hate desk jobs!** he thought annoyed at being stuck here. Delenn
had given him enough assignments to keep him busy all day. ** She is doing this
on purpose!**
There was only one way to release some of his tension; working out in Grey
sector. He had done so for one hour before reporting for duty to Delenn. Living
in Delenn's quarters wasn't something he was comfortable with either and
whenever the opportunity presented itself, he sneaked off to Marcus' rooms.
Neroon forced himself to pay more attention to his work. Delenn had asked him
to set up some kind of schedule of regular meetings between herself and the
other Ambassadors.
The computer announced an incoming message and Neroon sighed; he had never
known just how much work Lennier had done. Concentrating on the message, Neroon
repressed another sigh as G'Kar appeared. "Ambassador."
" Please inform Ambassador Delenn that I will --not-- attend today's
meeting," G'Kar hissed.
** He's annoyed at something.** Neroon noticed the expression in those eyes."
May I inquire why?" Neroon said, trying to be as polite as possible,
something he wasn't very good at.
G'Kar raised his hands in distress. " The Narn Government is --very-- much
displeased about the Minbari policy concerning the Centauri's latest sneak
attack on one of our colonies. You Minbari," G'Kar pointed at Neroon and
shook his head in resentment," refuse to take a stand in this important
matter. Cancelling this meeting is my way of protesting against this policy.
"
Neroon repressed his initial reaction; to tell G'Kar that his behaviour wasn't
going to help the Narns in their struggle. ** Headstrong and convinced he's
right,** Neroon concluded. Making a comment about it would be pointless; G'Kar
wouldn't listen. " I will deliver your message to Ambassador Delenn,"
was all he said, watching the smug look on the Narn's face as G'Kar broke the
connection.
Diplomacy had never been his strongest character trait; he had always acted on
instinct and his impatience had often misguided him. ** I haven't offended any
one yet,** he thought amazed. ** Being with Marcus has made me calm and more
focused.**
" Thank Valen, no more messages to answer." The warrior rubbed his
temples, feeling more fatigued from talking to Mollari and G'Kar than he had
been while fighting in the Earth Minbari war. " I would rather fight a
legion of Shadows than have to deal with those two Ambassadors, who persist in
behaving like small children!" Sighing, he pushed the files on the desk
aside. " Lennier, you better return before I lose my sanity."
During that one moment of tranquillity, he thought of Marcus. The ranger had
left Babylon 5 19 hours ago. Neroon had made some calculations, which had told
him that the White Star should arrive at Vanastar any moment now.
** Marcus is gone for 19 hours and I already feel
torn apart.**He had missed his lover's warmth during the night. Waking up, he
had reached out for the ranger and had been stunned to find an empty place at
his side. As memory had returned to him, Neroon had felt lonely.
" Incoming message."
" Duty calls," Neroon whispered. At last, he understood why Delenn
had requested him as her aide. ** To keep me from brooding.** Telling the
computer to access the message, he quickly scanned through his papers.
" Having a hard day at work, darling?"
The warrior's head snapped back in bafflement. " Marcus?" A smile
crossed his features as he looked upon his lover's face. He'd never expected
the ranger to call in this soon.
" I thought I'd better check on you and let you know I'm still alive
before taking that shuttle to Vanastar," Marcus chuckled, desperately
craving touching the Minbari. To run his fingertips over that bonecrest,
sliding his hand inside Neroon's clothing, pinching that one nipple. "
Bugger," he murmured as his desire almost overwhelmed him.
Neroon was quick to notice his lover's flustered face and knew what the ranger
was thinking about. Unable to hide the smirk on his face, Neroon said:" I'm
delighted to see you as well. How are you and Marc dealing with this
mission?"
" Things are getting more complex, Neroon. Marc turned out to be a
telepath as well as an empath," he informed the warrior.
" A telepath?" Neroon repeated in disbelief. " He never
knew?"
" No, apparently not. But during his sleep he somehow linked with Alfred's
mind and that was when I realized what was going on." Marcus glanced
behind him to make sure the young man was nowhere in sight. The ranger had
retreated into the briefing room to contact Neroon. Marc was still roaming the
bridge, harassing Lennier and the other crewmembers.
Neroon wavered; not sure whether to ask this question or not, but decided to go
ahead any way. " Are you still feeling apprehensive about this mission?"
" In the beginning? Yes, I did. But now....I don't know, " the ranger
shot Neroon a confused glance, " Having Marc around....I'm responsible for
him as well. I think I can pull this one off." Marcus saw the approval in
the Minbari's eyes.
" I made the right decision then," Neroon announced with certainty.
" What decision?"
" Letting you go," the warrior explained in a soft tone.
" Perhaps, " Marcus admitted reluctantly, " But I would feel
much more comfortable about this if you were here with me." An expression
of longing lay in his lover's eyes and Marcus sighed in resignation.
" We will be together once you and Marc return to Babylon 5," Neroon
replied, mentally preparing himself to say good-bye to his lover.
" I will count the hours till our reunion," Marcus said teasingly,
barely able to hide his relief; Neroon had missed him also.
" I will think of something to make that reunion special," Neroon
whispered sensually, playing along.
" I love you, Neroon."
As their connection was terminated, Neroon mumbled; " I love you,
Marcus....More than you will ever know."
WHITE STAR
" We're approaching Vanastar, Marcus." The young man stepped into the
briefing room after having spent some time looking for the elusive ranger.
" I'm on my way." Marcus quickly ran a hand over his face; wiping
away that one tear that threatened to spill onto his face. Seeing Neroon had
made him realize how much he wanted to be close to his lover.
" Marcus? " Noticing the troubled expression on the ranger's face set
of his alarms and he stopped the ranger when Marcus tried to pass him by. <
What's wrong?>
" I miss Neroon." Marcus replied aloud. This time he hadn't been
startled to hear the mind voice in his head.
< I've been wondering about our....relationship. You're too young for me to
call you daddy,> he paused, knowing he had to say this before they arrived
at Vanastar. < I really would like to have you as a brother.>
The word 'brother' reverberated through the ranger, making him feel distinctly
uncomfortable. " You don't know what you're asking, Marc."
< Then tell me, show me,> Marc challenged him, once more sensing that old
pain, buried deeply, but still eating the ranger alive. This had to be sorted
out before arriving at the planet. Ever since he had asked Marcus about his
brother the ranger had been in emotional pain. And the truth was he couldn't
handle that constant, nagging pain emanating from Marcus any longer. It hurt
him as well.
Marcus felt the true concern emanating from the young man and knew Marc
wouldn't give in before this had come into the open. He never knew why he
suddenly allowed all that pain to surface, opening up to Marc like this, making
him a witness to this agony.
Swaying on his feet, Marc didn't succumb to the hurt washing through him.
Tightly holding Marcus' hands in his own, he stared into the watered eyes. <
You have to let go of that guilt. I don't know what exactly happened that day,
but I'm sure you did your best to save him.> Marc was surprised when the
ranger completely opened up to him, giving him access to --all-- the memories
inside. Shivers ran down his spine as he watched the flyer crash that fateful
day; reliving Marcus' anguish. At last, he understood.
" Sorry, I...." Marcus wanted to apologize for making the young man
part of this past tragedy, but was stopped by a very determined look on Marc's
face.
< Marcus, you tried your utmost to land that flyer. You didn't kill your
brother; you barely made it out alive yourself. Yes, you lost someone very
special to you,> Marc said, raising the ranger's head by cupping his chin in
one of his hands. The physical contact fortified their emotional connection.
< You --must-- know William loved you and he would --never-- blame you for
what happened. It was an accident, an --attack--! You still love him, Marcus.
That's good. Cherish that feeling, but let go of the pain and guilt. Remember
the affection you shared.> Doubt was reflected in the ranger's eyes and Marc
knew he had to convince him once and for all. With one smooth push, Marc
channelled the certainty into the ranger's mind that he wasn't to blame for
William's death.
Supporting himself by placing his hands on the desk, Marcus reeled on his feet
as the young man thrust that assurance into his mind. < What are you
doing?> Marcus exclaimed mentally as he began to realize that William would
never want him to torment himself over his death; William would kick his butt
for behaving like this for all these years!!
< I want you to understand that your brother would never want you to do this
to yourself. You have to forgive yourself, Marcus. You have to forgive yourself
for being --human--. We don't have the power to stop death, to reclaim the
dying. William's death was something you couldn't prevent. --Accept it--!>
Tears, --hot tears--, were dripping from his chin as Marcus began to forgive
himself for surviving that crash.
< William will always be a part of you, Marcus. Letting go of the pain
doesn't mean you have to let go of William's memory also, > Marc added and
embraced him. He could actually feel the shift of emotions inside Marcus as the
ranger started to accept that final truth.
Calming down at last, Marcus locked eyes with the young man who wanted to be
his brother. " You're a very wise man." Smiling hesitantly, the ranger
realized the dark guilt he had been carrying around for years was no longer
suffocating him. Only a small amount had remained behind; he would let go of
that once he was ready to do so.
< Marcus, you made a start; you're letting go of that guilt!>
< I am?> Marcus was overcome with another memory, a more fond one;
something he hadn't thought of in years. William had once slipped their pet
hamster down the back of their mother's dress, who had cursed softly and had
tried to get the little critter out of the garment she was wearing. He couldn't
help himself and snickered with remembered merriment.
< William was quite a little rascal, wasn't he?> Marc chuckled,
experiencing that moment in time as well, still connected to the ranger's mind.
< He always was up to some mischief,> Marcus admitted fondly, wiping away
his tears; but this time they were tears of joy. It was like a darkness inside
his heart had been lifted to reveal a sparkling light that was William.
< We'll talk about William, remember him,> Marc promised, releasing the
ranger from his tight embrace.
< That would be nice.> Marcus only now realized he had been talking to
Marc using telepathy. < Thanks, Marc. Thanks for showing me...>
< No, thank you for allowing me in,> the young man said, knowing only too
well even Neroon wouldn't have been able to set this healing process in motion.
VANASTAR
Ariel's hand rested on Bester's brow; she shivered feeling the fever move
through his body. She wasn't that sure he was able to deal with it himself.
Forcing him to drink some more water, she realized his body had weakened even
further and decided to dive into his mind another time. Allowing herself to
fall slowly into his myriad of tangled thoughts, she felt the effect the fever
was having on him. Memories, desire, fear, longing, everything had become one.
It would take him a while to recreate the order, which had once firmly reigned
in his mind. Gliding deeper, she touched the core of his energy and found it
burning very low, it had almost been extinguished. ** If I don't help him, he
will die.** She knew with certainty. ** I knew it would come down to this in
the end. But to actually help him heal....** Still hesitant to do this, she
focused on his mindscape once more till she encountered his love for Marc. **
At least now I know his name.**
" All right, Mr. Bester. I will help you. Let's hope I'm not making a
mistake here." She had only once before done this; bring back someone from
the brink of death. Someone else had been there to help her, guide her back
then. But Jason Ironheart wasn't here now. " I have to do this on my
own," she murmured, lost in thought.
Al was floating in a vast space of nothingness; strangely detached from his
body. His mind was starting to steer higher and higher till a bright light
stopped him; holding him back from climbing any more. His surroundings changed
and darkened, black as a night not graced by the illuminating beams of a full
moon. A horrifying cold wrapped itself around his mind; laughing at him,
mocking him.
He had seldom been scared in his life; more intent on frightening the hell out
of people himself. But the absence of light, warmth began to make him feel
apprehensive. A sense of evil lingered here. Al suddenly remembered some of his
lessons in Earth history as they had studied various religions. ** This place
feels like that hell they talked about.** The lack of warmth upset him.
** Is that it? Did I die in that cell?** It felt like he was grinning, though
he no longer owned a body at this time; merely a mind afloat in the darkness.
** I always knew I would end up in hell,** he mused sadly. ** Did enough awful
deeds, committed too many sins, I guess.**
The inky blackness suffocated him and he struggled to flee it, but he felt
heavy and burdened by his past.
" You can do it! We love you. Please come back to us, Stee."
Swirling around in the vacuum, Al had never been more shocked before. To hear
his name, to hear --that-- warm voice. It had spoken with longing and love.
Somehow, he knew that voice, had heard it before. ** No, it's only my
imagination,** he told himself.
" Don't hold onto the dark deeds in your mind, son. Here, in the light
it's warm and we will give you the love life denied you," the soft,
radiant voice continued.
** Shut up!** Al thought and his feelings of bitterness washed through him like
a long lost friend and he clung to them, fleeing the voice. A single beam of
sparkling light now speared the darkness and Al instinctively tried to reach
out to it. Then he stopped, realizing the light --was-- that warm voice and
grew scared.
" You know me, Stee. You --must-- know me. Don't deny my existence!"
< I don't know you!> he declared vehemently and at once the light
dissolved, disappearing into oblivion. < NO!> he screamed, horrified at
what he had done; feeling the sudden loss.
< Don't go away,...please....> he sobbed as he admitted to himself that
he did know that voice. His memories wouldn't grow dull again, not now that the
light had revealed itself to him. It had been the voice of his mother.... and
he had denied her.
Remembering everything Jason had taught her, she pulled the blankets down a
little bit and placed one hand on his forehead, the other one where his heart
was. Ariel visualized her power within; a column of raging blue fire which
could heal, but also destroy if necessary. The blue band of energy moved down
her arms, to pool in the palm of her hands. This was it.
Sighing deeply, she allowed for the blue energy to slip from her fingers. It
lingered on Bester's skin for a moment; lying there as another blanket to warm
him. The Psi Cop groaned and Ariel knew he was in pain as her energy claimed
him for the living; snatching him away from death.
Suddenly, everything changed. A flash of energy wrapped itself around his mind;
pulling him back into his body. Al desperately tried to breathe, to focus on
being alive, but the near death experience had drained him. Peeking through
half closed eyelids, he only saw a blanket of mental energy enveloping him and
he knew death had spit him out again.
The film of energy finally seeped into his body and it glowed for one moment,
absorbing this power. Satisfied, Ariel staggered on her feet and dropped
heavily into the chair. It had worked! Now, she had to wait and see if she
hadn't been too late.
Studying the Psi Cop, she realized he was still deeply asleep, perhaps even
unconscious. She gently probed his mind. His energy was shining brightly, fused
by his love for Marc and her gift. Bester would need a lot of sleep to recover.
Weak and fatigued, Ariel knew she had to recharge. She had to replace her lost
energy before the maze could realize what she had done. ** But it's that same
labyrinth which will sustain me, feed me.** Ariel had done this twice before;
once after her father had left her here with no food or water at all. Using the
maze's energy had kept her alive; she could do without any real food as long as
she could tap into its energy structure. The second time had been when she had
found those dead archaeologists. One of them had still been alive, but too
far-gone to be saved; he had died.
But this time she had been successful. ** I wish I knew whether to feel pleased
about this or not. I can only hope Alfred Bester is willing to face the change
within him.**
Her hands caressed the walls of her cell; a direct link to the maze and it's
energy. Ariel coaxed it in trusting her for now and succeeded. Lulling it into
a slumber, she drained it a little of its mental energy. The telepaths who had
constructed this labyrinth had given it a never-ending source of energy; giving
the maze a way to regenerate. Ariel had often wondered if there was a way to
destroy it, but hadn't found an answer to that question yet. ** There must be a
way....but I'm not the one chosen to end its existence.**
PART 7
VANASTAR
Slowly opening his bloodshot eyes, Alfred wondered why --hell-- was this cold
and quiet. Where was that scorching fire which would torment him for all
eternity? He'd expected to hear voices yelling at him...Why wasn't he in any
pain?
The last thing he remembered was running away from the light, denying what he
heard --no--, recognizing his mother's voice. The thought made him cringe with
a sense of abandonment; he was unworthy to be near --her--.
" You'll recover. Just take it easy."
The soft, female voice startled him, but no, it wasn't his mother's. Alfred
cautiously shifted his glance till it came to rest upon the red haired woman
slumped back in the chair. Suddenly realizing he was lying down, Alfred
wondered how he had gotten here in the first place. It had been so terribly
cold in that damp cell where Charles had imprisoned him; here it was still
chilly, but the fire had managed to drive the worst of the cold out.
Truth finally dawned on him. As he tried to speak, not a single sound succeeded
in leaving his chapped lips. His throat stung painfully and his throbbing head
felt like someone was working on it with a jackhammer.
" It's okay. You may speak to me using your mind voice. I'd advice you to
remain in bed though. Your body took quiet a blow."
< You came back for me?> Disbelief filled his mind voice as he looked
into her eyes.
" I've often been called a fool, Mr. Bester. Perhaps I'm one after all.
Yes, I went back for you." Ariel looked at him questioningly, wondering if
the near death experience had changed him at all. She hoped it had.
< Where am I?> His eyelids were growing heavy and he desperately tried to
focus on this strange woman who apparently had saved his life. ** Why would she
do such a thing? She knows who I am. Why help me?** he wondered in bafflement.
" You're in a different cell, still inside the maze; my cell."
Glancing away from him, she stared at the walls, feeling the labyrinth's
smothered rage. It wouldn't be long before it would try to reclaim its victim;
Bester.
Only now did Alfred realize that he was lying in a bed, that warm blankets were
covering his half frozen body. Moving his right hand to rub a sore spot, his
eyes grew big. ** I'm naked!**
" Your clothes are soaking wet. They should be dry in a couple of
hours." Ariel had picked up that perplexed thought. **At least he's not
shouting orders,** which probably was a good sign.
< You undressed me?> Alfred pulled the blankets tighter, feeling uncomfortable
now he knew he was naked underneath them.
" Couldn't let you die of pneumonia," she remarked as casually as
possible. Was Bester acting shy all of a sudden?
< Why am I still alive? It felt like I had left my body behind.> Alfred
had wanted to continue, but fell silent; confused and uncertain.
" You were dead for a few seconds, Mr. Bester," Ariel said,
enlightening him. " I managed to pull you back." She decided not to
tell him how; not willing to hand over such precious information to the Psi Cop
as long as she wasn't sure what his hidden agenda was.
< I was dead?> His head was reeling and his body was screaming at him to
get some more sleep, but he had to know what had happened first.
" The fever weakened you. You lost your voice due to the cold. Your body
was ready to give up," Ariel decided to play her trump," But you kept
calling out for someone called Marc."
<Marc?> The name echoed in his mind, remembering the young man; the love,
the fiery passion they had shared on Gamma 4.
< I guess I must be a fool as well. Falling in love with him.>
" Love is of all ages and times, Mr. Bester." Ariel rose to her feet
and filled the kettle with water.
" I don't know if you drink tea, but I don't have anything else to offer
you."
< Tea would be fine.> Trying to roll onto his side so he could study her
better, he flinched at the ache his body radiated.
" You shouldn't move that much, Mr. Bester, You only recently joined the
living again after spending those moments in limbo," she reminded him. Making
sure the fire was burning bright enough to warm the water inside the kettle,
she settled down into her chair again.
Alfred had been observing her for some minutes and suddenly saw the fatigue in
her eyes.
< Why did you save me?> he asked again, as he realized that she hadn't
answered that question yet.
" Maybe,...because I think you might actually be worth the effort, Mr.
Bester." Ariel glared into his eyes and caught him shiver. " What's
wrong?"
< Why do you insist on calling me that?>
" Isn't that your name?" Ariel's tone was curious; how would he
answer her? It was an important question, but did he realize that? She had seen
within his mind the moment she'd pulled him back from death; his vision had
been hers during that instant.
< My name?> Alfred repeated, stunned, beaten.
" Yes, Alfred Bester?" She urged him on, relentlessly, knowing the
time had come for him to face the demons of his past or to die anyway. Watching
him, she saw despair in his eyes and decided not to push any farther. He needed
time to deal with his vision. Ariel knew it must have impressed him greatly,
remembering the first time she had experienced one herself.
Confused, he closed his eyes. Why were they discussing this? His name --was-- Alfred
Bester. But to actually say those two words....His courage eluded him as his
mother's voice came crashing in on him again; she had called him Stee.
Stephen Walters....The name appeared in bright red letters in his mind and
immediately he blocked it, banishing it to the darkness where it had come from.
" It's not good to deny your pain, Mr. Bester," Ariel said, while
filling two mugs with water, putting a tea bag into them.
< What do --you-- know of pain!> Alfred exclaimed, angered and troubled
by memories.
" It may surprise you, Mr. Bester, but you're not the only one who
hurts." She had almost added a venomous statement, but berated herself
just in time. This was not the time nor the place to quarrel.
< Sorry,> was all Alfred managed to send her as his own emotions
overwhelmed him. It had been so long since he'd heard his mother's voice that
clear.
" You had an unique experience, Mr. Bester," she said, continuing to
call him that on purpose, " I suggest you try to figure out what to do
with it. There's always a reason for the dead to reveal themselves when someone
is dying. There must be a reason why you heard --her-- voice."
< You heard it as well!!!> Feeling strangely cheated, he refused to
accept the tea she offered him.
With a sigh she placed it near him on the floor.
" But --I-- didn't deny hearing it!" Anger had fueled her remark and
this time she saw the effect it had on him.
< I was....scared,> he said, finally admitting this fear.
" That voice, Mr. Bester, was filled with love; a love aimed at you."
She sipped from her tea and watched him reach out for his mug as well.
He managed to grab hold of it and after propping himself up on to his elbows he
stared into the warm steam.
< I didn't thank you yet for helping me, did I?> Alfred was taken aback
as he saw concern in her eyes.
" No, you didn't, Mr. Bester and I'm not expecting you to voice any
gratitude."
< I --am-- thankful...But please stop calling me that name.> He placed
the mug back onto the floor and lay down again. Until now he had managed to
fight his exhaustion, but now he was losing the fight.
" What do you want me to call you?" she asked in a remarkably soft
tone.
His empty eyes sought out hers, hearing that tone.
< I don't know.>
A smile appeared on Ariel's face; his answer had pleased her.
WHITE STAR
Feeling more at ease with himself than ever before, Marcus calmly boarded the
shuttle which would take them Vanastar. He punched in all necessary data and
waited for Marc to strap himself into the copilot's seat.
" Now why won't you allow me to pilot this shuttle? Can't be that
hard." Marc grinned seeing the ranger's mock despair. ** We make a good
team. We can rely on each other.**
" Marc, you don't know how to fly this shuttle. And one more thing,"
Marcus muttered underneath his breath after the doors had closed. " Don't
use telepathy when talking to me during this flight. It would only distract
me."
" Got it," Marc said, willing to do him this favor. Watching the
screen, he saw a view of the planet they were heading to; Vanastar.
" We're lucky; Vanastar is an Earth like planet. Which means we'll be able
to breathe normally and the G's are also bearable. " Marcus adjusted their
course and peeked at the young man next to him. " I requested some data
from the classified ranger files. There are several interesting sites mentioned
concerning this planet, but I want to have a look at the labyrinth of Vanastar
first. I have this feeling we might find Bester there."
" Labyrinth?" Marc returned the glance, eager to learn more about
this planet.
" Vanastar wasn't always uninhabited," the ranger started. " The
people who used to live here were telepaths."
" I should have known," Marc sighed, hearing that news.
" They are all dead now, so we won't have to worry about encountering
them. Apparently they succumbed to an alien virus hundreds of years ago."
Confidently piloting the shuttle, Marcus closely observed all new data, which
was still being added now they were actually approaching the planet.
" What about this labyrinth you mentioned?" Marc wanted to know.
" It was constructed to eliminate convicted criminals. The files speak of
an 'intelligent' maze which can respond to each situation to ensure the
council's judgement, --punishment-- was carried out. "
" And you think Alfred is in there?" Worried, Marc's eyes scanned the
green surface; large trees covered most part of this planet.
" If I wanted to dispose of an enemy....I would use the maze to my
advantage." Marcus revealed in a soft tone, not wanting to upset him.
Trying hard to shut out any fear, Marc concentrated on the data flashing on the
screen in front of him.
" How are we going to get in? Is there some sort of entrance?"
" Yes, a portal situated in the south of Vanastar. I expected it to be in
the center of a town, but no. They build it on the middle of some forest. We'll
have to walk some miles. I can't land this shuttle anywhere near that bloody
portal. " Marcus informed him.
" Marcus?" He hesitated and managed to catch the ranger's gaze.
" Do you think Alfred's still alive?" Even mentioning his name made
Marc feel empty inside.
" Yes, I think he's hanging in there. Alfred is headstrong and determined,
Marc. Don't give up now." The ranger smiled weakly. It was the truth though;
Bester wouldn't surrender to death that easily.
" I hope you're right," Marc sighed and fought hard to remain
composed.
" I'm going to land this shuttle now. We'll have to walk the last
bit."
Looking back over his shoulder, Marc was hardly able to make out the shuttle in
the distance, partly obscured by the gigantic trees and green leaves, which
were reflecting the sunlight.
" I estimate it will take us one more hour to reach that portal,"
Marcus said, breaking the silence between them. Something had been bugging the
ranger ever since Marc had come aboard Babylon 5.
" You repeatedly told me you love Bester....But you can't have known him
that long. How did you know?"
Marc chuckled, feeling the ranger's uncertainty and curiosity.
" We're empaths, Marcus. How did you know you loved Neroon and that the
feeling was mutual?"
** Bugger!** Marcus cursed mentally now that the young man had reversed the
question.
" At the time I didn't know I was an empath, Marc." The ranger didn't
really want to talk about this; there were too many painful memories attached
to this period of his life.
" You didn't know?" Amazed, Marc stopped the ranger; he hadn't known
that.
" The doctor told me a few weeks ago."
" How could you not have known?" he asked, truly surprised now.
" It's hard to explain. I always felt 'deeply'; intense sadness, guilt, as
you have learned," Marcus said, averting his eyes for a single moment.
" It never crossed my mind I could be an empath and when Neroon
appeared....He was intent on killing me back then."
" Killing you? Marcus! Stop walking!" Marc made sure the ranger stood
still before speaking again. " You never told me that!"
" --You-- still haven't told me about discovering you loved Bester,"
Marcus responded and watched him.
" I simply knew. He radiated so much love directed at me and I..."
Marc paused, pulled the ranger back onto the small path and made him resume
their walk. " Alfred kept telling me I was confusing gratitude with love
and I told him that was nonsense. In the end he had to give in."
" You made him give in," Marcus chuckled, brushing some branches out
of their path.
" Yeah, I guess I did." He laughed warmly and poked the ranger
playfully in his side.
" Now tell me how you and Neroon ended up together."
" It really is a sad tale." Marcus tried getting out of this one, but
Marc's face was determined. " As I said, Neroon wanted to kill
me...."
One hour later they had finally made it to the portal. Marc had listened in
silence to the ranger's story. Even though Alfred had shown him bits and pieces
of Marcus's ordeal, he had never realized how deeply it had affected Marcus.
Talking about all these personal things had solidified their mental bond.
Marcus had realized that the moment he had stared into Marc's watered eyes. He
had been so caught up in telling his story that he had been sharing his
emotions without keeping back and had dragged Marc down with him.
Marc composed himself and pushed a lock of hair out of the ranger's face.
Desperate to change the subject to avoid living through any more of Marcus'
intense emotions, he asked;" This is the portal?" staring at the
impressive structure in front of them.
The ranger checked the reading the scanner was supplying him with and looked up
at the massive portal. The steel like structure was almost 20 foot high and a
solid door seemed to be the entrance to the maze, which should be beneath the
surface. Its metal shimmered and reminded Marcus of silver.
" Now what?" Marc whispered, awe-struck now he was standing in front
of this portal.
" We have to find a way in." Marcus walked towards the door and tried
pushing it open; there was no doorknob and puzzled, he took a step back. The
door hadn't yielded and he realized the door had to be opened in a different
way.
" Marc, these people were telepaths. Try ordering it to open," he
suggested, feeling thankful for the fact that the young man was a telepath
after all.
" How?" Marc looked at the portal, lost without proper direction. ** I
might shoot off my big mouth regularly, claiming to know it all, but in
reality....I don't know a thing,** he confessed to himself.
" Marc?"
" Yes?" The young man suddenly realized what the ranger wanted him to
do and aided him in establishing a mental connection.
< These telepaths must have had some sort of control over the portal. Just
command it to open the door.> Marcus advised him.
The young man tried but nothing happened. < It's not working.>
< I noticed.> Once more consulting his data, the ranger looked up at the
structure.
< It was used to punish convicted criminals,> Marcus said and walked
towards it, placing his hands flat on the door. Perhaps his empathic powers
would help him. Marc might be the stronger one of them, but he had been in
similar situations before, owning more experience in these matters. This was a
riddle he intended to solve. The door grew icy cold underneath his fingers.
< Marc? Come over here.>
A moment later, Marc placed his hands on top of the ranger's and felt the pull.
< Tell it once more to open the door,> Marcus whispered. < I'll try
and help you.>
Marc never knew what had been different this time.... A desperate moan left
Marcus' lips, alarming the young man.
" Marcus? What are you doing?" he said aloud.
< Telling the maze that we're criminals who need to be punished.>
Momentarily swaying on his feet, Marcus felt a firm arm steady him.
< How did you do that? You're no telepath and I didn't help you.>
Concerned, Marc pinned the ranger down to the wall, till he would be able to
walk on his own again.
< The labyrinth is one pool of telepathic power,> Marcus explained,
feeling tired. < In its mind there are only telepaths and it can't accept
the existence of 'mundanes'. I guess it decided to help me reach it.>
Shaking his head in dismay, Marc decided he didn't like this one bit. The door
was open, but they had no idea what horrors might await them after stepping
inside. He was about to propose to study this portal a little longer, when
Marcus broke free from his hold.
< What are you waiting for?> he asked and walked into the dark corridor.
< Marcus, wait!> Marc tried pulling him back, but the ranger continued to
walk into the darkness. Sighing, he exclaimed:< Wait for me!>
The moment he stepped inside, the door closed again.
PART 8
FLYER FREYA
Byron quickly glanced behind him to see if Stephen Franklin was still
unconscious. He had deemed it necessary to drug the Earth force doctor during
this trip, couldn't take the risk of Franklin waking up while on their way to
Vanastar. The doctor would try to stop him.
Piloting the flyer himself, Byron cursed his father. Charles had always been
extremely manipulative, but never before had he threatened to kill his sister
in case he wouldn't obey his orders. Charles had become obsessed with Caim's
death and revenging his son.
** At least it means Ariel is still alive. Thank God for that,** he mused
privately. Years, during which he had tormented himself about her uncertain
fate, had now come to an end. To him, Ariel was his only --true-- relative
still alive, not counting Charles amongst them. Byron had never been close to
his father and brother. Caim had been too cruel and too cold-hearted to love
him like a brother. His twin had never stopped when trying to attain his goal;
no matter how many people had to die in order to reach this purpose.
Caim had truly been Charles' son, inheriting too many of their father's vices.
The first time he had consciously locked eyes with his twin brother, Byron had
shivered seeing the cold glare in those eyes. Even as a child, he had known he
had to distance himself from his father and brother. The result had been that
he had grown very attached to his sister, who also couldn't stand being close
to Charles and Caim.
Ariel was all he had left and he was prepared to go to great lengths to ensure
her safety. ** But am I willing to kill for her safety? I have never killed a
living being before.... Am I capable of carrying out murder?**
The question nestled deeply within his brain. He knew the answer the moment he
looked once more at the Earth force doctor. No, he couldn't take someone's
life, he was no killer.
This 'weakness' as Charles had called it, was the primary reason why his father
loathed the sight of him; denying their ties whenever possible. ** Charles is
embarrassed to have me as a son. I can still hear him telling me to be more
like Caim; " If only you were a bit more like your brother, but
no....You're weak, like that rogue sister of yours. I wouldn't be surprised to
learn that you turned rogue yourself one day. Should that ever happen, I would
bring you down personally, like I did with your sister. "
Secretly, Byron had been relieved to be compared to his sister who he admired for
having had the courage to turn her back on the Corps. Courage he lacked. Her
amazing strength and compassion had been the two things to pull him through all
the rough times his father had been responsible for!
His father had ignored him these last few years that was why Byron had been
stunned to actually receive a message from him. Charles had ordered him to go
to Babylon 5 to inform Marcus Cole of the fact that Bester had vanished. Up
until that point Byron hadn't been sure that his father had been the one behind
Al's disappearance, but now he knew for certain he was pulling all the strings.
Reluctantly he had carried out his father's orders and had travelled to the
space station. His flyer had not been in perfect condition and life support had
failed for some moments during which he must have hit his head, causing that
blasted concussion. Once he had set foot on the station, he had felt the
compassion emanating from the doctor and Marcus Cole. It had caused the struggle
with his conscience, which had been telling him he was betraying innocent
people by obeying his father.... But what about Ariel? He couldn't let her die!
A soft moan made him check on his prisoner. He had strapped the doctor into the
chair, making sure Franklin couldn't break free. The drug was still keeping him
under. Satisfied, Byron walked back to his own chair. The doctor would remain
unconscious for several more hours.
An incoming call startled him greatly, although he had been expecting it. It
had to be Charles, no one else knew of this frequency. Barely able to hide his
involuntarily flinch upon seeing his father's poisonous eyes, Byron did his
best to return a similar glare. " Charles," he started and cringed
hearing the tremor in his own voice. The other man would certainly pick it up.
He hated showing his weakness this openly!
" You're on route to Vanastar with your prisoner? You better not
disappoint me this time, Byron!"
" Yes, I'm on my way to Van star and Franklin is my prisoner," Byron
replied as steadfast as he could muster,
" But I still don't understand why you
want him there as well. Franklin had no part in Caim's death." Byron tried
to reason with his father, although he knew it would be futile. Charles was
determined to pursue his plans.
" You don't need to understand! Just do as you're told or your sister will
pay the price for your disobedience!" Charles threatened in a firm tone.
" She's still alive then?" Byron --needed-- confirmation of that fact
so badly!
" As long as you continue to carry out my orders, she'll stay alive,"
Charles replied.
His tone made Byron shiver. And once more he wondered how it was possible that
Ariel and he had turned out so completely different from their father. **
Thankfully he never managed to corrupt us! I wouldn't be able to live with
myself if he had succeeded in doing so.**
" Take him to Vanastar and land near the labyrinth," Charles
instructed him. " I will meet you there."
The connection was severed and Byron knew he only had a short period of time to
find a way to keep Stephen out of Charles' grasp.
BABYLON 5
Neroon had hidden the collapsed pike beneath the folds of his robes before
stepping into Delenn's living area. Only slowly was he adapting to his new life
as her aide. Apart from looking after her schedules and appointments, he had
also decided to keep an eye on her personal safety.
** She should be escorted at all times in case someone wants to harm her. After
all, she --is-- Entil' Zha!** It was his duty to ensure her safety. Neroon would
never forgive himself should she happen to meet with an accident while under
his protection.
He had seen Sheridan's confused look as Delenn had told the Captain about him
being her new aide. But the Captain had chosen to remain quiet and during one
eerie moment Neroon had realized that Sheridan was giving him the benefit of
the doubt, was willing to trust him.
" Neroon?" Delenn turned to greet him and felt pleased seeing the
expression in his dark eyes. ** My diversion is working. Neroon is too busy to worry
about Marcus.**
" Delenn, I need to inform you of some distressing news," Neroon
said.
" Tell me, Neroon, but please sit down first." Studying him, she
detected a serene calmness in his demeanour, Neroon had accepted his destiny,
whatever that might be. This inner change still baffled her at times; this man
differed so greatly from the arrogant warrior who had thrown that bloody pike
at her feet. Many things had changed in a short time and his relationship with
the human ranger had made Neroon grasp this new wisdom. She told herself to
concentrate on the subject. After seating herself, she waited for him to
continue his report.
Neroon ignored the inquisitive look she gave him." Ambassador G'Kar is
displeased with our policy of neutrality. He cancelled several meetings."
Delenn nodded; she knew of the Narn's unpredictable behaviour." The Narns
are rather aggressive in their urge to defend their home world and colonies,
even if those colonies originally belonged to the Centauri.... Their approach
is ....undesirable."
" May I speak freely?" Neroon asked politely, doing his utmost to act
properly towards her; but something was bothering him.
" You may."
" Delenn, we both know that I'm not suited for this position. I lack
diplomatic skills," Neroon stared into her eyes, desperately hoping she
was going to relieve him of his duty. " I'm a warrior, not a
diplomat," he said, voicing his real concern. Delenn's pleased smile took
him by surprise.
" You realize this weakness, now you must work on it; improve those skills.
Observe and learn. I have confidence in you, Neroon. In the end, you will
overcome these difficulties," she said reassuringly. Uncertain, she
proceeded to address a matter, which had been puzzling her for some time now.
" During Marcus' coma you told me you once felt a religious calling. I
still wonder about that revelation, Neroon," she paused, searching his
face." I never asked you.... Should you be given the opportunity to make
your choice a second time....Which Caste would you choose? Now?"
Neroon was stunned, hearing that question. Why ask now? She had never appeared
concerned about his mental well being before. It was obvious Delenn was waiting
for his answer, but the truth was he didn't have one." I --honestly--
don't know, Delenn."
" Perhaps you should search your soul, Neroon; reach a decision. There is
a place for you among the Anla'shok if that is what the warrior in you desires.
But I can also arrange for a more spiritual task, if that is what you
need," she offered him.
Neroon was even more confused now. What was Delenn really after?" I will
give your question the consideration it deserves. Should I find the answer, I
will inform you," Neroon promised.
VANASTAR
Al had woken only moments ago and had been staring at the ceiling in confusion
ever since. His mother's voice, filled with a tender promise of love, kept
haunting him. At last, he turned his head and looked at Ariel who had fallen
asleep in the chair.
** Why did she save me?** he wondered once again. Not wanting to wake her from
her sleep, he silently moved around in the bed till he had acquired a more
comfortable position. The blankets kept him warm and for some elusive reason,
he felt relaxed. Even though he was in the heart of this deadly labyrinth, a
sense of safety covered his mind.
** Why do I feel ....at peace like this?**
** Perhaps because you're finally facing the ultimate truth?** a tiny voice, --
a child's voice-- replied. ** Yes, it was her voice,** he admitted to himself,
** I should never have denied her!**
Ariel stirred in the chair, a low groan fled her lips. Instinctively Al tried
to probe her mind, to find out what was upsetting her sleep, but was instantly
thrown back as he hit her barriers. She wasn't going to allow him in.
Ariel was dreaming; knew she had to be dreaming, because her drained body felt
strong and full of energy. She had been imprisoned in this feeble body her
entire life, never strong enough to physically fight off attackers. That was
the only reason why Charles had been able to capture her and imprison her
inside this accursed maze!
The walls surrounding her were warm, breathing, alive in a strange way she
would never understand. Pulsing with energy; a force that had kept her alive
these last five, absolutely lonely, years.
Loneliness crept inside her mind as she thought back to those years of
solitude, never able to hear a human's voice or to hear spoken words. Only the
labyrinth's obscure thoughts had kept her company; had prevented her from going
insane.
Focusing her stare once more on the walls, the stones began to shift shape.
Red, burning flames appeared inside the stones and she immediately withdrew her
hands as the fire threatened to burn her skin. The fire only seemed constricted
by the form of the stones, never leaving its shape. The maze was furious!
Ariel looked down her own body; its image was growing transparent, her body
weakening. She recognized this experience, thinking back to Al's near-death
experience. ** I'm dying.** A moment later, the truth came to her in a flash.
** I'm going to die soon, inside this maze.**
She looked to her right and saw Al, struggling hard to remain on his feet as he
was trying to reach the end of the corridor. A young man with long, dark hair
was supporting him. Charles appeared from out of nowhere, blocking their path
and Ariel knew the two of them were no match for the powerful Psi Cop who was
still master of this labyrinth. A PPG appeared in Charles's right hand and he
aimed it at Al's head.
** I can stop Charles,** she realized. ** But my life will end here should I
decide to do so.** Facing that final dilemma, her image darkened even more. **
This is why my visions told me to stay here. It's my destiny to die here; to
ensure their safe escape. In order for them to live, I must die. I can accept
this. It's a honourable death.**
Worried, Al pulled the blankets closer to his still naked body and managed to
sit upright after struggling for some moments. Ariel was now mumbling
incoherently in an upset tone, her hands tightly clenched into fists.
Fighting his dizziness, Al clasped her shoulders with his hands and he gently
shook her. She had to wake up! Tremors shook her frail frame the moment he
touched her. Her watered eyes flashed open unexpectedly.
" My path has been revealed to me," she whispered in a strangled
tone.
Al struggled to speak, but was still incapable of producing speech. What was
she talking about? In the end he decided on a different approach. After all,
she had given him permission to speak to her telepathically. <What upset you
that much?>
" Nothing important," she said, dismissing the worry she read on his
face. The fact that it was there in the first place, surprised her immensely.
Perhaps saving him had been the right thing to do." Your voice is still
gone? " she inquired while rising to her feet.
<Yes.>
Ariel examined the Psi Corps uniform which had been drying near the
fire-place." It's dry. You should get dressed," she advised him.
<But,> Strangely shy, his hands held on to the blankets.
" Don't worry. I won't peek," she quipped in an amused tone.
Relieved, she felt how the vision of her own death began to disappear. After
handing him his clothes, she stared into the fire.
Al accepted the outfit, not really comfortable with the idea of wearing it
though. Somehow, it didn't feel right any longer. Slipping into his shirt and
trousers, he decided not to put on his jacket, which was adorned with Psi Corps
insignia. Searching the room, he discovered his gloves. They had been flung
onto the floor in an opposite corner of the cell. ** I should put them on!** he
thought. Al was about to walk over there to pick them up when another attack of
vertigo made him return to the bed. His body was still too drained to stay on
his feet for a longer period of time.
" Take it easy!" Ariel chided him in a soft tone; still wondering
about the changed Psi Cop. After helping him back to the cot, he sat down. She
noticed he wasn't wearing his jacket in spite of the cold and wondered if he
had decided not to put it on because of the insignia on it. She had ripped them
off long ago. The uniform had served her well, concealing the fact that she was
a rogue while wearing it.
A quiver moved through the labyrinth, making it appear like an earthquake was
shaking the planet; but Ariel knew the truth.
Al had finally given in and realized he needed to rest longer. Lying down on
top of the blankets he looked into her eyes; she was hiding something from
him.< What happened?> Grabbing the sides of the bed, he waited for the
quake to end.
" We're not alone any longer, Mr..." she stopped, seeing the
expression in his eyes. He had asked her not to call him that any more. Not
sure what to call him, she left the sentence unfinished.
< Not alone? Are you telling me Charles returned?>
Shaking her head, she listened to the sounds of dismay the labyrinth was
broadcasting." No, it isn't Charles. He wouldn't come back that soon. He's
convinced the maze is your grave and mine," she replied in a certain tone.
Al realized she had never told him why Charles had imprisoned her in this
labyrinth in the first place. Curiosity got the better of him.
Reading that question in his mind, she glared at him. " This is not the
time to discuss my father's motives for locking me up here." The moment
she spoke those words, she realized what she had revealed to him. The stunned
look in his eyes said it all.
< Charles is your father?> Quickly putting all the pieces of the puzzle
together, he said: < Caim is....was your bother?>
" Yes, but I don't mourn his death. He got what he deserved." Ariel
tried to concentrate on the identities of the beings who had entered this
deadly maze, but Al's question disturbed her again.
< Correct me if I am wrong ....I killed your brother...but still you decide
to save my life? And why would your own father condemn you to this living death
inside the labyrinth?> Al didn't understand what was going on. He knew she
had gone rogue, but ....
" Charles disowned me. To him, I'm already dead because I dared to oppose
and question Psi Corps regulations. My father doesn't accept
disobedience," she explained in a fatigued tone.
" We don't have time for this. There are two men inside the labyrinth who
have no idea what they are facing. We have to find a way to help them!"
Ariel grabbed her long robe and draped it over her shoulders.
< Who are they?> Al wanted to know, an ominous feeling clasping his
throat shut.
" They have come to get you out," Ariel informed him, faintly amused
at the disbelief in his eyes.
< No...> Al was baffled to feel fear sneak into his mind, fear for someone
else's life.
" Their names are Marcus Cole and....someone called Marc."
< No, they shouldn't have come after me!> he exclaimed in despair. They
would be no match for this maze.
" Apparently they care for you," she remarked silently and walked
over to the door. " As long as you stay inside this cell the maze will
leave you alone. I will try to find them and if possible, bring them here.
Don't leave this cell," she instructed him before dashing out of the room.
Alone, Al felt apprehensive; what if this labyrinth succeeded in killing his
young lover? He didn't want Marc to die...or the ranger!! Hopefully Ariel would
be able to keep them safe!
PART 9
VANASTAR
Marc didn't like this one bit. The corridors they were walking were cold and
damp. The sunlight had disappeared the moment they had entered the maze and an
eerie green light illuminated the corridors. After a short examination of that
light source, Marc had to give up, unable to determine what was causing that
glow. Marcus was walking in front of him, peeking around corners, sniffing the
air. " Marcus, we shouldn't be doing this. I've got a very bad feeling
about this place."
The ranger smiled weakly; this far he had managed to keep his fear under
control and he wasn't planning on losing it now. " You worry too much,
Marc. If we want to get to Al we have to do this. I'm not thrilled about
entering this labyrinth on our own either, but it still looks harmless to
me."
Grabbing the ranger's sleeve, Marc forced him to stop." This is a labyrinth
in case you hadn't noticed. How the hell are we going to find our way
back!?" The more Marc thought about this enterprise, the less he liked it.
They should have stayed outside! " I --know-- you feel it too; this place
is evil! Its.... thoughts are evil. It wants to kill us, make us suffer. We
should stop here and turn back!" Marc pleaded in a determined tone. But
the ranger remained calm.
" Marc, you may not believe this, but I've been in dangerous situations
before. You need to stay calm and focused. This maze is sentient, it can pick
up on your fear and will use it against us." Marcus looked the young man
in the eyes.
" You're right," Marc gave in and used the ranger's calm mind surface
to model his own mindscape according to it. Finally the fear left. Amazed, he
glanced at the ranger in front of him. " How do you do that? How can you
be this calm?"
" I have faced worse demons, Marc. You need to concentrate on your inner
strength, your motivation for doing this. Think of your love for Al."
" I'll try," Marc promised. Falling back into step with the other
man, Marc studied their surroundings. " This place is alive, you
know."
" I know, Marc. I can feel it. The labyrinth will try and stop us,"
Marcus admitted and pulled Marc away from the stony walls as the young man went
to examine them. " I wouldn't do that. There's no way of telling what it
can do once physical contact is established."
" So, you admit it's dangerous?" Marc exclaimed triumphantly.
" Yes," Marcus shook his head and wondered why he had allowed the
young man to come along. Marc had no experience in dealing with
life-threatening situations. ** He's no ranger and will never be one,** Marcus
knew with certainty.
" How are we going to find Al, assuming he's down here somewhere?"
Peeping into the next corridor, Marc found it dripping with rain. " This
level must be situated higher than the previous one," he stated.
" I know of a way to find him," Marcus announced and uncovered some
kind of device.
" What's that?"
" It's a communicator. It allows me to remain in contact with Lennier on
the White Star," the ranger explained. After pushing some buttons, the
device began to make a constant beeping sound. Bringing it a tad closer to his
mouth, Marcus said; " Lennier, you registered two life forms before
landing here. Give us their current positions."
" One moment please," Lennier answered.
A stunning smile appeared on Marc's face hearing that voice." You should
have told me you had a trick up your sleeve!" he berated the ranger.
Relieved, the young man waited for directions to come through on the display.
Marcus studied the data for some moments and said; " Well, looks like the
two targets have separated. The good news is one is heading our way."
" What about the other one?" Marc wanted to know, while keeping a
close eye on their changing surroundings. A staircase had appeared, leading
them even deeper into the maze.
" Still located in the heart of this labyrinth. It's not moving at all. I
wish I knew who's coming our way." Marcus slid the communicator back into
one of his pockets and checked for his pike. A sense of foreboding told him he
might need it pretty soon! Feeling the look Marc shot him, he shrugged his
shoulders in answer and led the way, descending the stairs.
" Do you think the labyrinth is able to read our thoughts?" Marc had
refrained from communicating telepathically, not sure if the maze would be able
to listen in more easily.
" Yes, I think it can."
That answer didn't please him and Marc looked around more cautiously. Finally, after
several minutes had passed, the staircase came to an end. " We must be way
underneath the surface of this planet!" Marc remarked a bit alarmed. His
instincts were telling him to leave this place as quickly as possible.
" I know....Look!" Marcus pointed at the large room in front of them,
which resembled some ancient hall. Stopping Marc by placing an arm across his
chest, the ranger studied his surroundings. His instincts were now also warning
him to be extremely careful.
The hall was large, the ceiling high. Inside the room were large cubes of
....of what? Marcus gestured his companion to stay behind as he took a step
closer to examine the alien objects. The cubes were twice his height at least
and several feet in width. His first impression had been that he had been
staring at huge bricks of stone, but as he examined the object closer, he saw
water spiralling inside them. The water possessed a never-ending movement as it
continued to crash against the walls of the cube, searching for a way out.
Thoroughly alarmed, Marcus counted at least 25 more cubes inside the hall,
placed at random. They would have to carefully make their way through in order
to reach the door at the other end of the room.
Marcus realized this was some kind of trap. The maze had been constructed to
carry out death sentences of convicted criminals. This place was one huge death
trap and they were its next victims. His cockiness began to disappear as he
realized that Marc could get killed in here. The young man wasn't cautious
enough. Marc had never been in such a situation before; something which could
now cost him his life. He would have to watch Marc every step of their way,
making sure they didn't get separated!
" Marcus?" Concerned, Marc softly called out his name.
Lost in thought, the ranger didn't reply.
Marc tried again. < Marcus?> This time he was successful.
< Sorry, Marc.> Without thinking about it, he replied in the same way.
Perhaps it would be best to make as little sound as possible while in this
room. < Come here, but don't --touch-- anything!> he instructed the young
man.
Marc nodded and went to stand beside the ranger, observing the swirling water
inside the cubes as well. < What's this?>
< The first trap, I guess. Whatever you do, Marc, don't touch these cubes. I
have this weird feeling....call it a warning. We should stay clear of them.>
< Understood.>
The two men looked each other in the eyes. This was it; the first barrier the
labyrinth had thrown at them. They had to be careful now.
The ranger decided to take the lead. Suddenly he realized that there was not
much left of the fear which had ruled him before going on this mission. The
gravity of the situation made sure he hardly had any time to be afraid. Casting
a glance at Marc told him that the young man was insecure. < Don't touch
anything and we'll be fine,> he told Marc again and caught the weak smile on
the young man's face. Bypassing another obstacle, Marcus carefully kept his
distance from the water filled cubes. The floor was partly covered with bones,
he now noticed. < Be careful not to trip over these bones,> Marcus warned
him and realized his mistake the moment he saw the shock in Marc's eyes.
< Bones?> Marc echoed and stared at the floor. A white skull was staring
back at him. He could have sworn it bore an evil grin. His concentration was
gone and he stumbled further, accidentally bumping into one of the cubes with
his elbow.
Paralyzed, they froze. A low growl filled the hall as the water within the cube
pushed against the spot where Marc's elbow had made contact with it; the cube
trembled.
< Run! We have to get out of this rat-hole!> The ranger knew something
bad was going to happen.
Drips of water dropped onto the skull. The little puncture in the cube grew
larger and the water easily found its way through the gaping hole, flowing on
to floor; heading towards another cube.
< It's going to cause a chain reaction!> Marcus realized and looked at
Marc who hadn't started to move yet. < Run damnit!>
But Marc was struck with fear, seeing a second cube of water lose coherency and
tumbling down. He was incapable of thought at that moment.
A third cube came down with a howl of water and he was swept off his feet as
all the cubes came crashing down. Finally, he registered Marcus yelling at him
to get moving. Frantically searching for the ranger, he located him near the
exit. The water was pulling him into the opposite direction though.
Marcus saw his desperate fight against the waves. The water was rising quickly
now all cubes had released the trapped water; it now reached his lips. Marcus
held onto the column of stone next to the exit and was torn between letting go
and going after Marc, or holding on and trying to get outside on his own.
The decision was taken away from him as Marc couldn't resist the pull of the
waves any longer. Spinning around in the wild water, Marc was carried along
with the waves. <MARC!!!!> the ranger cried out as he disappeared from
sight. The water pushed the young man back the way they had come.
All of a sudden the door opened, the current of the water reversed as by
magical hand and the ranger was pulled inside the next corridor. The water
didn't cross the threshold though. Struggling with his soaked uniform, he
managed to get to his feet. Defeated, Marcus couldn't stop the huge door from
closing again. His own scream continued to haunt his ears. One obstacle, one
barrier had made him lose his companion. ** I'm a failure after all!!!!**
Falling to his knees, Marcus let out a strangled scream of despair.
Marc tried to grab hold of anything, which came his way, a log of wood, a stone
statue....but the water was too powerful and dragged him along. He struggled,
cursed and finally decided to stop fighting the waves. It was useless any way.
The ranger had shouted his name the moment everything went wrong. Marcus' fear
and concern had washed through him and he had wanted to let the ranger know
that he was going to be fine, but water had managed to find a way into his
mouth. After spitting it out again, he had found himself in another corridor.
The water continued to carry him deeper into the maze.
** Later, I will try to contact Marcus later. If this maze really consists of
telepathic energy, it will strengthen my thoughts, but first I need to get out
of this mess! **
Fighting hard to stay in control of his rising fear, he rode out the waves till
they calmed down. Once more feeling solid ground beneath his feet, Marc managed
to stand. The water was receding and a few minutes later, it had completely
disappeared.
** All it wanted was to separate us,** Marc realized and trembled. The large
amount of water surrounding him, had reminded him of being locked up in that
tank.
Wiping the water from his face, he took in this new room. It was small,
completely empty. The strange, green glow illuminated it. The only way out was
back where he had came from. He was about to walk into that corridor when his
eyes made out a faint glow on the floor. First, he thought that it was only a
reflection, but as he hunched down and touched the floor, he realized that this
particular tile gave in. Pushing it to one side, an opening appeared; it was
another staircase leading deeper into the heart of the labyrinth.
** I've got nothing to lose at this point,** he thought. Slowly, he began to
descend the small staircase.
Marcus sighed deeply. Losing Marc had been the one thing he should have
prevented; but he had failed! Neroon should have escorted Marc on this journey.
The warrior would never have made such a mistake! ** This is my entire fault! I
should never have listened to Neroon; should never have given in!**
Not bothering to dry his wet clothes, he walked ahead; not paying any attention
to the changing rooms or corridors. But he did hear the moans whirl around him.
They originated from the maze, but in his troubled mind it was Marc, trying to
tell him he was in trouble.
Where was he going? He didn't know. During one moment sanity returned, telling
him to use his communicator and ask Lennier where to find his lost companion.
But as he reached for the device, it was gone. ** Must have lost it when
fighting those waves.**
Shrugging his shoulders, he decided it that it didn't matter. Marc would be
dead by now.
** I killed him; like I killed William. I should never have come here!** Marcus
was quickly losing perspective. The ranger never took into consideration that
the power, which ruled the maze, was manipulating him, using feelings of guilt
and doubt to drive him towards insanity. Marcus stumbled through the deserted
corridors with no hope of ever finding Marc again.
All seeing eyes, moved quickly through the labyrinth. This was too easy! ** I
already managed to separate the newly arrived criminals. One of them is so burdened
with pain and guilt that killing him is hardly a pleasure. Perhaps I should
wait for the man to end his own life. Then I can feed off his energy the moment
he dies.**
There was only one thing puzzling the essence, which controlled the labyrinth.
This one stranger was no telepath! Yet, it sensed the man's emotions like they
were its own. The telepathic presence knew about fear, guilt and horror, using
them to its advantage all the time. But there was more to this man. The amount
of pain; the strange texture of that pain, puzzled it.
Then there was the second stranger, who had been carried away by the water.
This telepath was now on his way into the heart of the labyrinth and would soon
meet his greatest horror.
** Ariel is once more the unknown factor in this game. I must carry out the
death sentences; I must win and end their puny lives. But Ariel can make it
extremely difficult to achieve that goal quickly,** the presence realized.
Stretching its mental tentacles it searched for Ariel's current position. She
was following the man who was able to radiate those unbearable feelings. The
ancient essence had to act --now--. No longer thinking about the prisoner Ariel
had rescued and who was now hiding in her cell, it decided to go after the two
intruders....no one was going to leave alive!
Ariel flinched, sensing its resolve. The maze was going to use all tricks
available to end their lives. She had seen the water carry off Marc. Torn
apart, she had remained firm and decided to stay close to the ranger; he was
the key to destroying the labyrinth, but he didn't know it yet.
Sneaking through the now once more dry hall, she avoided all water-filled cubes
and pulled open the door. She had heard his pain filled cry earlier. His
--pain-- could be the labyrinth's undoing.
** What about Bester's lover?** she suddenly asked herself. The young man had
even less defence against this ancient enemy. However, something told her not
to worry about him. Marc was like a cat, possessing nine lives. The young man
would find a way to deal with everything.
Speeding up, she turned around the corner. She sensed the ranger's presence,
but couldn't risk coming too close yet. It was not the right time to reveal
herself to him. The visions would tell her when to come out of hiding.
The next instant, Ariel froze involuntarily. The labyrinth knew what she was up
to; she had been found out! An invisible wall of energy now blocked her path,
making sure she couldn't proceed. Another scream of agony echoed through the
deserted corridors.
" Marcus," she whispered. Trying to get passed the invisible web
keeping her back, she was thrown off her feet and hit her head hard.
Outside of the labyrinth Charles was waiting impatiently for Byron to show up.
Pacing underneath the shadows of the trees, he pondered his possibilities. The
maze was busy taking care of all four humans inside. There was no doubt in his
mind that the monstrosity would be triumphant in the end. The ranger and the
clone were no match for it and Bester would succumb eventually as well.
Ariel was his only problem. She kept interfering in his business; challenging
him. There was only one solution to this problem. ** I'm going after her myself
and this time, I'll make sure she's dead before leaving the labyrinth.**
Focusing his attention on the small flyer, which was now landing at the edge of
the clearing, Charles sensed his son's mental presence.
Reluctantly dragging Franklin towards his father, Byron's despair was still
growing. All the way over here he had been thinking of a way to keep Franklin
safe, but hadn't come up with a solution. There had to be a way out!
" Good. You did as I told you." Charles saw the loathing in his son's
eyes and felt strangely pleased about it.
" I want to see Ariel, speak to her," Byron demanded in a soft tone,
avoiding his father's icy eyes.
" You will," Charles promised him, hiding the threat behind those
words. " How much longer will he stay unconscious?" Poking Franklin
in his back using his walking-cane, Charles knew Franklin would make the
perfect hostage. Both Marc and the ranger had grown attached to the Earth force
officer.
" He should wake up any moment now," Byron replied, cringing with the
thought of having to look the doctor in the eyes. His guilt, his treason was
obvious.
Stephen hesitantly opened his eyes. He was feeling light-headed and recognized
the taste of a certain sedative on his tongue. Memories returned quickly to
him. Byron had attacked him, rendering him unconsciousness! He had almost come
to trust that Psi Cop! Now, he felt betrayed.
" I know you're awake, Doctor Franklin," Charles stated.
Stephen looked up and stared into cold eyes. This older man was also wearing a
Psi Corps uniform. Byron was standing close; a guilty, uncomfortable expression
in his eyes. " Traitor," he spat.
" I'm sorry, doctor. I had no choice," Byron whispered. **I'm not
going to give in yet, though. I will find a way to thwart Charles' plans. Even
if it's the last thing I'll ever do! **
PART 10
BABYLON 5
Nervous, Delenn was walking the Zocalo. ** In Valen's name, why did I have to
name Neroon as my new aide? His over-protectiveness is...unbearable. Ever since
G'Kar warned him that the Narns are restless, he has not let me out of his
sight!**
Pretending to admire some jewellery, she searched her surroundings and knew
Neroon was near. She had finally lost her patience with him as he had advised
her to stay inside her quarters till the Narns had settled down. Ignoring his
advice she had passed him by on her way out of her rooms.
** I wish Marcus were here. Then Neroon would stop focusing on me!** Not easily
thrown off balance, Delenn had finally met her match in the warrior. ** I need
to find a way to occupy him otherwise. ** Lennier would never have addressed
her like Neroon had. " You should be escorted for the time being, Delenn.
I will arrange for it!" Neroon had said in a determined tone.
She had dismissed his advice. There was no need for her to be guarded all the
time. Babylon 5 was a safe-heaven and no one was going to hurt her. " I
can defend myself, Neroon," she had chided him. But the warrior had shaken
his head in disapproval of her stubbornness.
Neroon was watching her intensely. Although he thought Delenn to be very wise,
her unwillingness to accept an escort displeased him. She was in danger, but
refused to see it.
** It's my duty to guard her, whether she wants me to do so or not,** he told
himself privately and admired Lennier's patience. The warrior had never
realized how headstrong Delenn could be.
His eyes carefully examined every person near her, determining whether they
were a possible threat or not. He was especially keeping an eye out for Narns.
Firmly wrapping his fingers around the closed pike, he waited patiently.
Whenever she moved to another merchant, he followed her closely. Neroon briefly
considered informing Sheridan of the possible Narn threat, but quickly
dismissed the idea. Delenn would easily convince the Captain that she was in no
danger.
It was rather obvious that this human Captain would do whatever Delenn asked of
him.
No, he couldn't inform Sheridan at this point. Delenn would use her influence
to have him removed and occupied for some time far away from her quarters
should she find out he had alarmed the Captain.
Years of training allowed him to move through the crowd unnoticed. His eyes
finally caught sight of a Narn and he stopped to study the other man. One of
his teachers had told him to look at the opponent's eyes first. He did so now
and quickly recognized the raging anger in them. ** I warned her! But she
wouldn't listen!**
Quickly moving closer, he extended his pike in case he needed it. He wasn't
going to make the first move though. Should the Narn attack Delenn, he would be
ready to defend her, but Neroon judged it better not to start the fight. It
would only compromise him.
Delenn sighed, certain she had managed to get away from the persistent warrior.
The sweet smell of Maadi-flowers caught her attention and she strolled over to
ask the merchant how fresh they were, when a Narn suddenly blocked her path.
All she saw was the fire in his eyes, then she heard him hiss alien words,
dripping with venom. Delenn knew they were aimed at her.
Neroon saw Delenn's indecisiveness. She didn't know what to do and it urged him
to take the initiative.
A ceremonial knife appeared in the Narn's hand. ** Neroon was right!** she
realized and chided herself for ignoring the warrior's advice. She should have
known that he had valid reasons to warn her to be careful. The knife was quickly
moving towards her; the tip of the blade aimed at her heart. ** Move away!**
she told herself, but her body refused to do her bidding.
Using his pike, Neroon disarmed the Narn, who let out a yelp of bitter
frustration.
Delenn locked eyes with the warrior and had never felt more relieved to see him
appear this unexpectedly.
" Get behind my back," he instructed her. There was always the
possibility of another attacker waiting for a chance to get close to her.
The Ambassador moved quickly and hid behind his broad back. From the corner of
her eye she saw a security guard calling in reinforcements.
Neroon closed his pike now the Narn had been disarmed. Charging forward, he
clasped his powerful arms around the Narn's neck and wrestled him down to the
floor, telling himself to be careful not to snap his neck yet. This Narn would
be able to supply them with information.
" Do not kill him," Delenn said in a shaky tone, trying hard to get
her composure back, She couldn't show any weakness now.
"As you wish, Entil'Zha," Neroon replied. The Narn had lost
consciousness at this point and Neroon released him from his almost deadly
embrace. He noticed Delenn's worried expression as the Narn remained
motionless. " He's merely unconscious," he assured her.
" Well done," Delenn complimented him and circled the Narn. "
Why?"
" It's my guess that he wanted you to be an example. Ignore Narn demands
and face the consequences, " the warrior said gravely.
" Ambassador! Are you unharmed?" Zack Allen and several guards moved
in to take the prisoner into custody.
" Yes, I am fine.... thanks to Neroon," she said and bowed slightly,
a gesture the warrior immediately returned.
Zack knelt to examine the Narn and found a pulse. " We will charge him
with assault. That way we can hold him till Ambassador G'Kar has a chance to
sort this out. This Narn won't bother you again, Ambassador," Zack said
steadfast.
" I know he will not harass me any more. Should he choose to try a second
time, I am confident Neroon will be there to stop him." Delenn saw the
pleased expression in the warrior's eyes. She did owe him an apology though.
" Neroon, I was wrong not to accept an escort. "
" I would be honored if you would choose me as a guard," he replied
in a similar polite tone.
A bit confused, Zack watched them. Somebody had just tried to murder the
Ambassador and now they were acting like nothing serious had happened? "
We'll take him to the brig."
" You may do so," Delenn said, nodding her head in approval.
Shaking his head, Zack wondered why he would need her permission to lock up the
prisoner. He did make a note though to stay clear of the Captain. Sheridan
would be mad to learn someone had tried to kill the woman he loved!
John Sheridan hurried down the corridors. Only moments ago he had learned of
the attack on Delenn. Mad with anger he marched to her quarters, determined to
tell her for the hundredth time to allow an escort to accompany her. Time and
time again she had declined his request.
** Thank God Neroon was there to prevent her from getting murdered. When will
she stop being this stubborn and start listening to me?** he wondered. But at
the same time he admired the courage she possessed and he knew she wouldn't
give in to his demands just to appease him. She was going to do what she deemed
best!
Pressing the door chime, he tried to keep his anxiety under control. She could
have died!
Neroon answered the door and stepped aside to let the Captain enter.
Sheridan stopped seeing the warrior and felt uncertain of what to say. "
Neroon, thank you for keeping her safe," he whispered in the end.
Crocking his head, Neroon smiled. " I live to serve, Captain. " **
And I'm glad I am not in your position. To try and talk some sense into her is useless,**
he mused. Discretely, he walked into the kitchen area; trying hard not to
eavesdrop, but the truth was he was curious to find out if Delenn would give in
to Sheridan's demands.
" Delenn, did you get hurt?" Sheridan asked in a concerned tone. Upon
seeing her defiant expression, he sighed. She was unharmed all right.
" No need to be worried, John. Neroon is the prefect guard. As long as he
is near, I will be safe," she replied in a determined tone and allowed him
to wrap an arm around her.
" You should be more careful. This time it was one angry Narn and although
I'm sure Neroon is one hell of a body guard, he won't be able to fight off
multiple attackers."
" John, I appreciate your concern, but I do not want an escort of safety
officers." After freeing herself of his embrace she sat down, gesturing to
follow her to the couch. " Neroon is all the protection I need."
Hearing that tone, John knew she had made up her mind. " At least promise
me to be a bit more careful?"
" I will be careful," she promised.
Neroon sighed as he realized that he was now solely responsible for Delenn's
safety.
VANASTAR
Alfred had started pacing the confines of his cell. Sporadically he glanced at
the jacket draped over the chair; the insignia mocking him. Psi Corps had been
father and mother all his life; the Corps had been everything he had ever
needed.... until now!
Ever since hearing his mother's voice he had been thinking about the life he
had been leading; the choices he had made. Alfred sat down on the side of the bed
and stared at his gloves. It suddenly struck him that Ariel no longer wore
them. But being a telepath he was required to wear them, being a Psi Cop....
** There's only one thing I know for certain, one good deed I have done out of
compassion.... saving Marc from Dana, from the Corps. His love set the change
in motion. I .... never questioned the choices I made before, but that near
death experience pushed me over the edge. First, Marc declares he loves me,
then I hear my mother telling me she'll give me all the love denied to me. **
Upset, he started to pace once more.
** Then there's Ariel who wants to know what to call me! And I'm speechless. I
can't force the words to leave my lips, " Call me Alfred." It's not
my real name.... I know it's Steven, but... I'm going insane!**
With one vicious pull he disposed of his gloves. Bewildered he stared at both
his hands; his left one knotted; an ever-present reminder of his former denial.
He was about to fall even deeper into depression when a familiar essence tugged
at the edges of his mind, claiming his attention. < Marc?> he tried
reaching out to his lover.
There was no reply and for one moment he thought he had only imagined feeling
his mind this close to his.
< Marc?> Searching deeply within his mind, he found a last fortitude of
mental strength supplying him with enough power to scan for Marc's mind. Ariel
--had-- told him that the ranger and his lover had entered the labyrinth.
As he found the familiar texture of Marc's mind, he gasped. The young man was
near!
But his thoughts were troubled and colored with fear. Although he was still
weak, his mind had never been more determined before; he was going to find
Marc!
Ariel was frustrated! The Maze had found a way to stop her! The invisible wall of
energy was too strong to breach. She would have to find another way to get to
the ranger whose screams still echoed in her mind. ** Marcus is the key to
destroying the labyrinth. He --can-- set us free. But if the maze succeeds in
killing him, we're all lost!**
She considered her possibilities; she could try and find a way to best the web,
but she could also bypass it and use another route to get to the ranger. Both
solutions would sap a lot of her strength and would cost extra time. Time, she
didn't have! Cursing the maze, she tried to reach a decision. No matter what
she did, there was a chance she was going to arrive too late to help the
ranger.
Making up her mind, she decided to track back and use another route to bypass
the web. She started running, moments later pain pierced her lungs. Her body
was protesting to this abuse and she had to slow down. ** I'm going to be of no
help to him,** she realized and was about to award victory to the labyrinth
when she felt Alfred reach out to her.
<Ariel?>
<Yes?>
< Marc is in trouble. I've left the cell to find him. If we have to die, I
want to die at his side.>
She thought it over; at this moment the maze was occupied with taking care of
the ranger and his companion, and wouldn't waste much time on chasing Bester.
< All right,> she answered him, < but be aware of possible traps on
your way over to Marc!>
< I'll be careful,> Alfred promised her, before concentrating on his
lover again. Marc's thoughts were getting more clouded all the time; water
seemed to surround him and a voiceless cry bounced into his mind. < Marc,
hold on!> he told the young man, but he had no way of knowing if Marc ever
received that message.
Running through the corridors, Alfred bit away his fatigue and called on the
endless resources of mental energy he had stored deep within himself. Marc's
presence grew stronger; he was closing in on the young man.
< Why did you come after me in the first place?!> he wanted to know, not
expecting an answer though. < You should have stayed on Babylon 5 where you
were safe and you dragged Marcus along, didn't you? After all the trouble I
went through to make sure you were out of reach of the Corps, you had to come
here! Charles has lured the two of you into this trap!>
Alfred was forced to stop and catch his breath. Homing in on Marc's essence, he
stared in bafflement at the room he was in. His inner alarms kicked in, telling
him to get the hell out of here!
Trusting his instincts, he was about to dash out of the room as the floor
started to shake. Alfred sucked in his breath as large, brutally sharp pikes
rose from the floor; almost pinning his foot down to the floor. A different
sound coming from the ceiling made him look up. A number of pikes had formed,
some of them covered with long dried blood. They fell to the floor with a loud
bang, ripping some fabric off his shirt. A small cut appeared on his back, a
warning of what was going to happen if he wouldn't get moving.
It was apparent that he had underestimated the power of the labyrinth. Ariel
had told him to be careful. ** I can't fail now! Marc needs me!**
Alfred knew he was only going to get one chance to make it out of here alive
and gathered all the strength left inside him. Never losing track of all the
pikes appearing around him, he managed to outsmart them and finally leapt over
the final part. He landed hard on his left arm, but for the moment he was safe
inside the corridor.
Deep inside the very heart of the labyrinth, Marc leaned against a wall,
fatigued and short of breath. He had to find Marcus! The ranger's communicator
was the one thing that could get them out of here.
Lennier could ask for back up and the reinforcements would be able to get them
out. But first he had to find the ranger and that damned device! ** I need to
rest a moment first, ** he decided. Sliding down the wall, he sat down on the
stone cold floor. ** Only for a moment,** he told himself. ** Then I will
continue the search for Marcus and Bester. Why the hell couldn't Alfred just
stay on Babylon 5? According to him I'm safe there, so why didn't he ask for
asylum as well? We wouldn't be stuck in this labyrinth if he had done that!
Damnit Alfred!**
The cold and loneliness were making him depressed and the soft green glow was
making him feel dizzy; as though the room were spinning around, which couldn't
be actually happening of course....
But the walls were making sounds and the stones felt hot, so hot he could no
longer rest his back against them.
** I have to get to my feet and start moving.
This place reeks of evil... Can't rest...**
The room was now spinning all around him and Marc's fingernails dug into the
stone floor, reaching for something to tell him this wasn't really happening.
< This is happening.>
His head snapped back hearing that unknown voice, distorted, grim and without
mercy. <Who?> he questioned. < Show yourself, you coward!>
< Show myself? I'm all around you...>
The truth stared back at him as he glared at the floor. ** It's the maze!**
< I'll be your grave.>
Horrified, Marc watched as glass-like walls appeared all around him, confining
him to a small space. A space that was being filled with water. An oxygen mask
now covered his mouth and nose, forcing him to breathe along with the
machinery.
< NO, NOT THE TANK!!!!!> he screamed in anguish. His fists hammered
against the transparent walls, which didn't give in. Afloat once more, his eyes
grew big as a human form appeared from out of nowhere, an obscene grin on his
face.
Marc looked at the grey-haired man, extending his arms in a helpless gesture.
<Please help me??!!> he begged.
Charles nodded his head in contentment. The punishment the maze had chosen for
the clone pleased him. The clone would die in there. Gloating, he tapped his
walking-cane against the glass-like walls of the tank, hearing the mental cries
leaving the clone's mind.
Marc could only stare in terror at the man as he turned his back on him. <
Don't go away, please help me!> he begged once more. But the man didn't
answer him. Marc's eyes shed tears, which were immediately absorbed by the
water inside the tank.
WHITE STAR
Lennier was worried; Marcus had failed to call in on time. Seated on the
bridge, the young Minbari wondered what to do. They should have taken another
ranger along who could assume command in case something went wrong.... like
now.
** If only Neroon were here, he would know what to do, I do not have the
experience to deal with these situations. Should I contact Delenn or wait a
little longer to see if they call in after all?**
Seriously confused, Lennier decided to wait one more hour.
PART 11
Marc slammed his fists against the transparent walls of the tank. No longer
thinking straight, he became obsessed with the idea of breaking free of his
prison. Mentally, he felt suffocated by the water around him and by the oxygen
mask covering his mouth and nose. In sheer desperation, he kicked hard against
the walls till his feet ached so badly he couldn't continue.
Panic coursed through him; all efforts seemed doomed. The walls never gave in!
** No please! Not the tank. I don't want to be in here! I can't stand this
isolation,** he exclaimed in horror.** I'd rather die right now than stay in
here one minute longer!**
Banging his head against the lid, Marc knew there was no way out for him. He
was going to die inside this accursed tank. The maze would postpone his death;
it was only playing with him, showing its superiority.
What upset him most, was that the labyrinth was capable of communicating with
him. Using that he reached out; but the maze remained quiet, not responding at
all.
Completely isolated, Marc had to give in. His only hope now was that Marcus
would find and free him. He clung to that hope; yes, the ranger would find a
way to get to him. Marcus would never desert him. ** I have to be patient and
bear this imprisonment.... Marcus, please hurry!**
** But what if Marcus is in trouble too?** That idea made the blood freeze in
his veins. They had come here to help Alfred escape and now they were in peril
as well!
His sharp fingernails dragged over the walls, trying to claw a way out. They
came to rest on his thighs. Even his clothes had disappeared, reminding him of
the fact that he had been naked when Alfred had freed him from Dana's 'care'.
With a feeling of deja vu, Marc was just waiting for the moment that Dana would
come crawling into his view. But the stone walls and green light told him he
was still on Vanastar.
Carefully examining the bones in his left arm, Alfred hissed with pain. **At
least it isn't broken!** he thought relieved.
** Ariel was right. I need to pay more attention to what the labyrinth is
trying to do. It's been too long since I pulled off stunts like these without
being injured. My desk job made me careless. I stopped training and my reflexes
became slow. **
Warned, he got to his feet and quickly scanned the corridor he was in now.
Vividly remembering his adventure in the last room, he proceeded with extreme
caution.
The corridor ahead of him looked harmless, but Alfred was determined not to be
fooled a second time.
A sudden attack of vertigo took him by surprise. He knew he was pushing his
still exhausted body to its limits, but he had no choice if he wanted to help
Marc. Standing completely still for a moment, he successfully fought his
dizziness.
Hesitantly, he searched his feelings and was stunned as he realized that he was
willing to give his life to save Marc. Up until this moment he had never
admitted that one truth to himself.
** When did I turn in to such a romantic, lovesick fool? What did Marc do to me
during those few days on Gamma 4? Would I have given my life to save Carolyn?**
he wondered.
Embarrassed, he had to admit he didn't know the answer to that last question.
All he knew for certain was that he would sacrifice his own life to get Marc out
of this place, alive and unharmed.
** Concentrate!!** he told himself. His vertigo finally disappeared completely
and he started to make his way through the corridor, only to find his way
blocked by another door. This time, it was made of solid metal.
Frustrated, he smashed his right fist into the door. He already regretted doing
so, even before his hand and the metal collided. Alfred expected a sharp pain,
but watched in horror as his hand disappeared into the door; it was gone! His
arm stopped at his wrist!
Ruffles of energy surrounded his wrist, swallowing it greedily. Alfred sucked
in his breath; his hand was no longer visible, but he still felt his fingers as
he moved them. Never before, in his entire life, had he seen something like
this and it left him flabbergasted. He tried pulling back his hand, but an
unknown force held it in place, defying his efforts.
Realizing his dilemma, he pondered his two options, to stay like this
--trapped-- and hope for help. ** Which isn't likely to arrive soon.** Or he
could take another step and allow himself to be pulled into the unknown which
lay behind the door. ** Well, old boy, what is it going to be? I'm still
avoiding thinking about what name I want to be called! **
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to take that one step. The moment the
rest of his body came into contact with the door, he was pulled inside and had
to give in, the pull was too strong to fight. Falling towards darkness, he lost
consciousness.
The corridor stayed behind; empty, biding its time until it could lure in
another victim.
Marcus felt tired, depressed and decided to rest for a moment, one moment only,
he told himself. Entering a rather small room, his eyes were drawn towards the
chair in the corner, it was the sole piece of furniture in the room.
A small, still rationally thinking part of his brain told him to stay clear of
the chair and to quickly leave the room. But Marcus ignored its warning. A deep
sense of failure had clouded his mind ever since he had lost sight of Marc, who
had trusted him to keep him safe!
** I let him down. The first time we're faced with a barrier I screw up.
Neroon, you were so wrong to put your trust in me! I'll get us killed.
Thankfully Lennier is still onboard the White Star, safe! **
Drained, he sat down in the chair. Eyes, half closed, his hands clasped the
wooden elbow rests too tightly. The ranger knew something was terribly wrong as
he dozed off, but had no more will to fight it.
The essence was pleased with its accomplishments thus far. One of its targets
was already imprisoned in his self-chosen grave and would eventually die in
that tank. Using the prisoners' greatest fear against them had always been
effective.
The prisoner Ariel had freed had also been caught in one of its traps. There
was only a remote possibility that this human would be able to leave the level
he had entered.
Ariel had been stopped by the energy web and was now trying to get to the one
prisoner who truly puzzled the ancient presence.
This human called Marcus, was unlike any other being it had ever encountered.
It had never before felt such intense feelings, emotions it couldn't label! It
wasn't sure what to do. The task was to eliminate all whom entered its
corridors, but its curiosity --its ability to learn-- urged the labyrinth to
try to communicate with this being. A being without telepathic powers!
Something which had stunned the old intelligence; a mundane was an unknown
concept and it had been aiding Marcus' ability to communicate telepathically
whenever needed.
** No, I can't allow him to have such an influence on me! My creators
constructed me for a purpose. I have to carry out their commands! ...And
there's Charles...He's too strong for me to overthrow. My creators must have
put him in command for a reason. I can't start doubting myself now! **
The ancient, telepathic power focused its attention once more on the ranger.
Marcus had fallen asleep moments ago and was now starting to dream, a dream,
which became absolute reality to him as he dove into his past. He never knew
the labyrinth strengthened that illusion, driving him in even deeper.
His body was heavy....** No, not my body,** he realized. Marcus recognized the
weight of a full environmental suit covering every inch of him. Opening his
eyes, he gasped in shock as he stared at the crashed flyer, engulfed in all
consuming flames.
Suddenly, he knew where he was, Arisia. He had been showing off, piloting his
private flyer in a juvenile attempt to impress his younger brother when the
Shadows had attacked. Casting a frantic look to his right, he was forced to
watch the platforms explode.
** Hasina,** he thought and felt miserable. Marcus trembled hearing a strangled
moan.
" William, hold on. I'm going to get help!" he screamed and crawled
towards his brother. Marcus saw the expression in William's eyes and knew that
his brother was dying. All help would be too late.
To Marcus, this had ceased to be a dream; it was bitter reality staring him in
the face, reminding him of another failure. Pulling William close to his chest,
tears flowed from his eyes. Rocking his brother gently, he cursed this
injustice.
" Marcus, promise me that you'll finish what I started. Go to Minbar and
join the rangers!" William's breathing was fast and irregular. It was
obvious that he had to use his last strength to speak those words.
" William, don't leave me!" Marcus sobbed.
" Promise me, Marcus," William repeated in a much softer tone.
" I promise." Marcus had never felt more helpless and useless in his entire
life. His brother was dying in his arms and there was nothing he could do to
stop that from happening! All guilt he had once felt returned to him this
instant.
Releasing his now dead brother, Marcus slipped into a mad rage, against God,
against the universe...against himself. Within seconds, he managed to dispose
of the environmental suit, aware that the radiation would kill him quickly. He
didn't care any more.
Dropping to his knees, he buried his fingers deeply within the toxic sand. ** I
killed him. William is dead because I didn't listen to his warning! I don't
deserve to live! **
<" RUN!">
The voice -- was it in his mind or not?-- shook him from his stupor. He started
to remember... He'd heard this voice before, had been here before. Another voice
now appeared in his memory.
" It wasn't your fault, Marcus. You have to let go. Marcus, we are only
human. You couldn't stop this from happening, William would never blame you.
You have to forgive yourself."
Marcus recognized that voice, Marc! Looking at the flyer and William's dead
body he took a step back, distancing himself from the scene.
<" RUN"> Stumbling on his feet, Marcus tried to remember why
that voice sounded so damned familiar.
Suddenly, his vision blurred; his surroundings changed. He now stood on a
slope, overseeing the scene of the crash; studying it intensely. One man was
struggling to stay on his feet and Marcus trembled as he realized he was
looking at himself --a younger self--.
** He has to get moving,** Marcus thought and before he knew it, he shouted:
<" RUN!"> He desperately hoped his other self heard him; the
radiation would kill him.
<" RUN!"> he yelled again and this time the other man began to
move. Marcus calmly studied the wreckage; there was little left of his flyer
after their crash. In the distance, the burning remains of the platforms came
hurling towards the planet. The Shadows were retreating, leaving his world in
ashes.
" Marc was right," the ranger mumbled in total understanding at last.
" I didn't kill William, the shadows did. Although I believed Marc when he
made me forgive myself, only now do I --understand-- what really happened to me
that day. I couldn't stop this. I'm only human."
The confused essence felt paralyzed as Marcus' intense emotions washed through
its corridors, rooms and its heart. The labyrinth had never experienced
forgiveness before and the emotion left it confused and stunned. A hunger was
born that moment; it needed more, wanted to learn more about these feelings. **
Forgiveness? My makers never told me about this! **
Marcus quavered as he began to wake up and the dream lost its hold on his mind.
His eyes flashed open with a start. Moving slightly, he discovered his
fingernails had buried themselves into the wood. Resting his head against the
wall, he allowed his tears to break through.
" I finally understand!" he whispered. Dismissing the dream as a
manifestation of his depressed state of mind, he rose to his feet. The dream
strangely enough comforted him and he decided to leave behind this part of his
past life the moment he stepped into the next corridor. Marc had been right; he
had to let go and finally he was able to do so with enlightened understanding.
OUTSIDE OF THE LABYRINTH
Stephen was watching Byron. The young Psi Cop puzzled him. At Charles' command,
Byron had tied him to one of the smaller trees and he had fastened the ropes
well, making Franklin's efforts to untie them futile." Why are you doing
this?" he wanted to know. Franklin had bits and pieces of the conversation
and had figured out they had to be father and son. He was determined to get the
other answers as well, now that Charles had gone inside the maze, leaving them
alone. Observing the young man had told Stephen that Byron was acting against
his will.
" I have no choice," Byron repeated, unwilling to tell the doctor
more about his personal life. He dreaded the moment Stephen would find out
about Caim being his brother.
" Everyone has a choice, Byron," Franklin berated him in a friendly
tone. He couldn't believe he had been wrong about Byron who still didn't strike
him as one of the bad guys. Charles had a hold on him and Stephen wanted to
push Byron into revealing what it was.
" Perhaps I do have a choice. But no matter what decision I make, someone
will end up dead. "
" Who are you protecting?" Stephen knew he had hit the bull's eye
when Byron averted his eyes. ** Think! I have to remember that conversation I
listened in on. Something about a woman... He told me his sister disappeared
and that Charles...** Suddenly, Franklin succeeded in putting the pieces of
this puzzle together. " Charles is pressuring you to do what he wants and
if you don't obey he'll hurt your sister? Is that it?"
Byron stared at the grass, trying to think of an answer. Pondering his
situation for a moment, he decided to walk over to the Earthforce doctor.
Looking him in the eyes, he said: " You're much too clever, Doctor
Franklin. I told Charles his plan was madness, but he had to avenge Caim any
way he could."
" Caim?" Stephen still wondered how the dead Psi Cop fit into this
game.
" Caim is... was, my twin brother," Byron revealed to him.
" Let me get this straight!" Stephen interjected, racking his brain
to figure this one out. ” Caim was your brother, Charles is your father and....
what --is-- the name of your sister?"
" Ariel. She's our younger sister." Byron smiled weakly. " I
can't let him kill her. She has already been a prisoner of this maze for over
five years. I can't desert her."
" I understand, but Byron, this is not the right way. "
" I know," the telepath admitted. " At this moment Marcus,
Alfred, Marc and Ariel are fighting for their lives inside that labyrinth.
Charles is in there as well, gloating."
" Byron, untie me. Together we can help them get out," Stephen said
in a determined tone.
Byron was struggling inside. He knew Stephen was right, that he should rebel
against his father, but his fear for Ariel's life...made him indecisive.
" Byron, I don't know your sister, but I don't think she would want you to
help Charles kill innocent people," Stephen said. He had to find a way to
convince Byron to help him. The possibility that one of his friends might
already have died inside that labyrinth urged him to double his efforts."
Byron, you're no killer. If you continue to help your father, my friends' blood
will be on your hands as well," Franklin said in the end.
The telepath remained quiet for a moment then lifted his face to look him in
the eyes again.
" I know you're right, but I lack my sister's courage," he confessed
in a wavering tone.
" No, you don't. Untie me and we'll do this together." Stephen
observed him closely and saw the change of expression in Byron's eyes.
" I must be mad to actually defy my father, but Ariel would kill me should
she ever find out I helped him," the telepath said apologetically and
began to untie Stephen.
Relieved, Franklin let out a repressed sigh." You won't regret this
decision," Stephen promised the telepath." The first thing we have to
do is to find a way to get in touch with the White Star that brought them
here." There was no doubt in his mind that Marcus would only enter the
maze with back up standing by in case something went wrong. The ranger was no
fool.
" The flyer? " Byron suggested.
" Alright, let's give it a try!" Hurriedly Stephen walked over to the
flyer, hesitantly followed by Byron, who was still wondering whether he'd made
a fatal mistake or not.
WHITE STAR
Lennier never expected to be hailed from the surface of Vanastar. His
inexperience of command showed as he realized that he hadn't continued scanning
the planet for new arrivals. Quickly telling the crew to run some long and
short-range scans, he turned around to look at the screen.
" Doctor Franklin?" Lennier was surprised. " How... You...Why...
I do not understand," he admitted in the end.
" I need your help, Lennier," Stephen said, relieved that there was
someone on board the White Star that he knew. He would be lost trying to
communicate in Minbari with them.
" How can I assist you?" Lennier wanted to know. His eyes widened
slightly seeing the Psi Cop standing next to the doctor.
Stephen sighed. Together, they were going to get their friends out of that
labyrinth, --alive--.
PART 12
WHITE STAR
Mentally replaying their earlier conversation, Lennier couldn't help but feel
immensely relieved now that Stephen Franklin had taken charge of this
operation. Lennier knew his command inexperience was something he had to work
on, but not now under these grave circumstances. Seating himself in the
briefing room, he was faced with the fact that he had to inform Delenn of all
the recent developments; something he wasn't looking forward to.
Allowing a sigh to leave his lips, he worked on establishing a connection with
Babylon 5. Lt. Corwin quickly patched him through to Delenn’s quarters. Lennier
hoped he would find Delenn alone in her quarters, not sure how Neroon was going
to react to hearing this distressing news.
" Lennier? I did not expect you to call in so soon." Delenn smiled,
pleased to see her trusted friend and aide, but her smile froze noticing the
concerned expression on his face." Has something gone wrong?" she
asked softly, and looked behind her to see if Neroon had returned yet. No, the
warrior was still in his own room. Delenn deemed it better to listen to Lennier
first, before informing Neroon.
" Yes, I am afraid so. Marcus, Al Bester and Marc are locked up within the
maze. Do you remember Caim?"
Delenn nodded; yes, she remembered that name.
" His father, a Psi Cop named Charles, used Al's disappearance to lure
them here. He wants revenge for his son's death. "
" Is this true?" Delenn found this news hard to believe, not that she
expected Lennier to tell her lies, but she had never thought there might be
more to Bester's abduction.
" Yes, the telepath Byron told us. He is Caim's twin brother. Charles told
him to kidnap Doctor Franklin and to take him to Vanastar as well. That's why
the doctor is now here and he has taken command of the situation; something I
agree with. Doctor Franklin has experience in handling such matters."
" Will you be able to get them out of the labyrinth?" Delenn wanted
to know; growing more worried with every passing second.
" We hope so, Byron has a plan. "
" Keep me informed, Lennier. Should anything happen, I want to know at
once."
" I understand," Lennier replied and after bowing respectfully, he
terminated the connection.
At that moment, Franklin and Byron entered the briefing room. Lennier waited
for them to take a seat. " Byron, please tell us of your plan."
INSIDE THE LABYRINTH
Al rubbed the back of his head and discovered a small wound, which had already
stopped bleeding. He must have hit something hard during his fall into that
strange darkness. Cautiously opening his eyes, he found himself in a landscape
filled with rocks and green vegetation. It stretched as far as he could see.
The weird green light was all around him, and he realized it was the trees and
shrubs glowing in the half dark. ** How did I get here?** he wondered, and
remembered being pulled into the metal door. ** Must have been some kind of
passageway inside the maze and it brought me here. The most important question
however, is how do I get out? **
Hesitantly rising to his feet, he felt the cold wind move through his clothes.
Not that he wore that much, only his shirt and trousers and boots. " I
can't give up now," he mumbled to no one in particular and began to march
ahead. " If there's a way in, there has to be a way out!"
His boots were half-covered in mud after taking another step. This place
resembled a swamp and Al told himself to remain alert. ** Now where can I find
that exit? **
< It's a mental door you have to open. >
The message took him by surprise, but he immediately identified that voice.<
Ariel? >
< Yes, it's me. I can't keep this up for long, so listen carefully. >
Al noticed the faint echo to her mind voice and felt something pushing itself
between them.
< The maze is working against me. Listen, to leave this place you have to
focus yourself from within. The labyrinth's mental powers are divided at the
moment as it's fighting all four of us. Command the maze to open the mental
door now that it's weak. You'll have to use all your telepathic powers to do
so. >
Her mind voice trembled then broke and Al knew the link had been severed by the
maze.
** Command it to open the door? That's my only way out? Just how am I going to
do that? **
Ariel had done all she could to help the Psi Cop, now she had to concentrate on
finding Marcus Cole. She felt a change inside the labyrinth. It had always fed
off the emotions of its victims, but now it was being confronted with other
feelings it had never known about.
The ancient makers had thought it best to keep these emotions from the maze,
afraid their new instrument would decide to forgive the criminals or have mercy
on them and let them go. But now that their influence was gone, the maze had
decided the time had come to learn more, to grow.
Charles had done his best to keep them from the labyrinth as well and kept
feeding it victims; enemies, who had to disappear without a trace.
Ariel knew Marcus had set this process in motion the moment he had arrived.
Being an empath and having experienced so much pain recently, he had roused the
maze's curiosity without knowing it. The love he bore Neroon was something else
which must puzzle the maze.
** I have to find Marcus before it's too late. The maze might not want to kill him,
but there's no way of telling what Marcus will do if the labyrinth keeps
pushing him like this! **
Deep down in the heart of the maze, Marc was still struggling against his fate.
The tank was his prison, he knew that, but he was going down fighting! ** I've
tried violence, the walls didn't give in. That old man only laughed at me. No
one is coming to get me out. Marcus must be in trouble as well. ** What else
could he do he hadn't tried yet? Using his telepathic powers? How?
Confined to this small place, he started to feel claustrophobic and he had to
use all his discipline to keep focusing on his problem. ** This labyrinth
consists of mental energy. That could imply that it's using my fear of this
tank against me. What if this is only a very convincing illusion? What if I'm
only fooling myself in assuming this? **
The water surrounding him was ice cold and he shivered. Marc knew he had to do
something or he would die in here shortly and he wasn't ready to give up yet.
He didn't want to die; life held so much promise and once he found Al they
would find a way out of this doomed place.
Marc closed his eyes and wished he had had some kind of training as a telepath.
Now he was dabbling with powers he didn't understand. Following his instincts,
he visualized himself in this room, but without the tank holding him. After
several moments he remembered how everything had looked as he had first entered
the room. Slowly, he added the tank, but he envisioned himself outside of it
and he was looking at an empty tank.
Surprised, he noticed that the water was no longer cold. A warm sensation
engulfed him and Marc hoped that whatever he was doing, was working! Peeking
through half closed eyes, he watched the glass like walls of the tank fade
away. He now concentrated on actually stepping out of the tank fully clothed.
A moment later an unknown force released him and he realized he was now
kneeling on the stone floor. Allowing his eyes to open fully, he was stunned to
find that the tank was gone and that he was once more wearing his clothes.
Frantically looking around, he found no trace of the tank.
Relieved, he sighed. His tactic had been successful; perhaps he had found a
weakness of the labyrinth, a weakness he could use to his advantage to help his
friends. Momentarily swaying on his feet, he quickly composed himself, the
feeling of being afloat had disorientated him.
** I've got to find Marcus and Al, ** he thought, but this time he was resolved
to be more careful. ** But how to locate them? ** he wondered. Coming to a halt,
he realized there was only one way to find them, but that would also mean
alerting the maze; it would discover that he had broken free.** So be it, ** he
decided and placed a hand on one of the walls. First, he was going to reach out
to Al; together, the two telepaths would be able to locate the ranger more
easily. < Al? Where are you? If you can hear me, let me know! >
There was no answer from Al, but Marc felt the wall tremble. ** Damn!** he
cursed, ** this is going to backfire on me. I'd better get out of here! **
Resuming his walk out of the room and into the corridor, he was stopped by a
solid metal door. ** Another dead end!** Marc was passed frustrated, he was
getting angry.** Perhaps I can open it. I haven't checked whether or not it's
locked,** he mused and placed his hand on the door handle; that moment a
telepathic scream invaded his mind.
< Don't touch that door! >
<Al?!> He recognized that mind voice at once; it was Al! But his lover's
warning reached him too late; his fingers had already made contact with the
door and a sudden pull swept him off his feet and into a sinister darkness.
Al cursed himself for not calling out sooner. He had felt Marc's presence, but
had been hesitant to make himself known to the young man. It would only lure Marc
closer. But as he sensed Marc's presence near the door, --how that was
possible, he didn't know,-- he had to warn him.
He knew the warning had come too late, as a body appeared falling from the
darkened sky. Al now knew how he had arrived here and how he had gotten that
little, irritating wound at the back of his head.
Marc's unconscious body impacted several feet away from him and Al hurried to
check on him. A moment later he sat down on his heels and studied Marc's face
whose eyes were closed. He trembled as his hands reached out to pull Marc
closer.
< Marc? Wake up! > Wanting nothing more than to actually speak those
words, he was limited by the fact that his voice was still gone. This was the
only way of communication he had left.
< Marc! Wake up! > he commanded and used every ounce of his mental energy
to get through to the young man. To see his face again, to touch Marc made him
feel complete.
Against all odds, he had been reunited with his lover!
A moan left his lips and Marc wondered what the hell had happened to him. That
door must have lured him into a trap!
< Marc, thank God you're still alive! >
The message took his breath away, hearing that mind voice gently caressing him
as it called out his name in concern. His eyes flashed open and he stared right
into Bester's worried face. Dumb struck; he simply studied Al who looked
haggard. There was a feverish glow to his eyes, but the Psi Cop was still
hanging in there." Al! I was so worried! How can you frighten me like
that! Disappearing without a trace, damn you, Al!"
Hearing Marc's trembling voice, Al smiled reassuringly. < We have much to
talk
about, > he told his lover and....felt a change in Marc that totally baffled
him.< Impossible, you can't be a telepath! Marcus doesn't carry that gene!
> Marc a teep? He wasn't sure how to react to that news, but he sensed the
familiar power in Marc's mind.
" We discovered that Dana altered me. She added a gene; made me a
telepath. Marcus was the first to notice what she had done to me." The
unease he read in Al's mind threw him off-balance. Why was his lover this
upset?
< Whose genes did Dana use? > Al trembled as several possibilities
swirled through his mind. He would have to study this development, test Marc
and see what his Psi rating was.
" I don't know. Dana is dead. I don't think we'll ever find out."
Marc suddenly wondered why he was still talking to Al; why not use telepathy to
communicate? Because Al's unease made him feel uncertain, uncomfortable.
Al managed to get a hold on his confused emotions. This was not the time to ask
these questions; first they had to get out of the maze. But how was it possible
that he hadn't detected Marc's latent powers? Had love really blinded him
during their time on Gamma 4? < It's all right, Marc. We'll discuss this
later. First, we have to get back to that corridor. That door was some kind of
portal, I guess. Ariel told me I have to ' will ' myself out of here. Now we
have to do this together. >
Marc nodded his head. < That's how I escaped from the tank, > he informed
Al, a tad scared at the Psi Cop's reaction to being addressed mentally.
< This feels strange, > Al mused, hearing Marc's mind voice. He wondered
about Marc's psi rating. In order to communicate like this while his barriers
were up, Marc would have to be P12 at least, a truly unsettling thought.
< Who is this Ariel you mentioned? > Marc wanted to know, only now
registering that information. He had been too absorbed in caressing Al's face.
** I found him and he's still alive!** he sighed happily.
< A rogue telepath who Charles locked up in here as well, > he wavered,
then continued, < She saved my life. I trust her. >
<Saved your life? > Marc grew silent. The thought of losing Al hurt!
< I'm still alive, so don't worry. Better focus on getting out of here!>
Al berated him softly, touched by Marc's concern for him.
< I did this before. I can do it again. > He was about to twine his
fingers with those of the Psi Cop when he realized that Al wasn't wearing his gloves.
< Don't ask. I have no explanation for you. > Al gathered his remaining
strength and trembled the moment Marc clasped his fingers around his. The feel
of naked flesh on his left hand was unexpected, but he accepted the gesture
nonetheless.
< Envision the both of us in that corridor, appearing outside of that damned
door, > Marc instructed him.
< I begin to understand, > Al said and followed Marc's lead. It was
easier than he had thought. His mind joined with his lover's and together they
seemed to float up into the air, towards the point where they had come from.
They were pulled to the other side and as Al opened his eyes, he realized his
own body was stuck in the metal door. Marc was already standing in the
corridor, but something was keeping him back from taking that last step as
well.
<It's the maze, > Marc realized and began to physically pull Al out of
the door. He never expected his tactic to work, but the door released the Psi
Cop and together they fell onto the floor. Al ended up on top of him and Marc
chuckled softly. < I don't think this is the right time or place to have
sex, Al. >
A stunned grin appeared on the Psi Cop's face, hearing that comment. For one
moment, he dropped his guard and gave into the verbal sparring. < Marc, you
have a one-track mind. Have you been watching the adult channel all the time
while you were on Babylon 5? >
< We --will-- have sex later!! I have been going through withdrawal since
you deserted
me! > Marc quipped, delighted to feel Al's body weight pressing him down.
< Hormones! > Al shook his head in mock frustration and after kissing
Marc passionately, struggled back to his feet. Offering Marc his right hand, he
pulled his lover upright.
< We have to find Marcus. > Marc stated, resolved.
< Agreed, the ranger is the weakest of us and might need help. He's at a
disadvantage as a mundane, > Al replied.
< What are we waiting for? > Marc placed his hand once more on the wall.
Al understood what Marc was trying to do and covered his lover's hand with his
own. Together they searched for the ranger's mind.
BABYLON 5
" You wanted to speak to me, Delenn?" Neroon bowed slightly and
waited for Delenn to start the conversation. He had just ended a conversation
with G'Kar who had told him the arrested Narn had been removed from the space
station. But G'Kar had also warned him that there were more angry Narns only
waiting for a chance to make a statement to the Minbari government. Delenn was
still a target!
" Yes, we need to talk about Marcus." She closely watched his
reaction and saw the spark in his eye quaver. ** He's worried, afraid to lose
Marcus.**
Neroon managed to remain silent, waiting for her to continue. Within, he was
torn apart, scared something had happened to the ranger. ** I was the one that
insisted he accepted this mission. His death would be my fault. **
" They have entered the labyrinth of Vanastar. Lennier discovered that Al
Bester is inside the maze as well," she paused, not sure how Neroon was
going to react to the next bit of information. " The one behind Bester's
abduction is Caim's father, seeking revenge for his son's death."
Neroon growled. " I know that name. It's the Psi Cop who... tortured
Marcus, wiped his mind and now you're telling me his father is pulling the
strings?"
" Yes. He even ordered Byron to kidnap Doctor Franklin, who now also is on
Vanastar. The doctor is now in command of White Star two. Apparently, they
thought of some plan to deal with Charles and the maze. We can only wait."
Delenn noticed the slight twitching of muscles in Neroon's face.
Neroon's first thought had been to ask permission to take up pursuit to rescue
the ranger and his companions. A little voice in his mind told him not to do
so. He had to trust Marcus to find a solution. It was one of the hardest decisions
he had ever made.
" Marcus is smart, Neroon. Have faith in him."
" Will you excuse me now? I would like to be alone," Neroon said,
while rising to his feet. Any moment now it would turn dark on Minbar and he
had promised Marcus to light that candle every night during their separation.
" I understand. You may go," Delenn said in a compassionate tone and
watched him retreat to his own room.
Staring at the candle's flame, Neroon's eyes watered. " I have faith in
you, Marcus. Always remember that you're not alone," he murmured."
Please come back to me."
PART 13
VANASTAR
Wondering how to get out of this giant trap, Marcus stroked some locks out of
his face. He was getting thirsty and hungry and his body was growing tired
again. His inner clock told him that at least 24 hours must have past by now.
Finding water was becoming an issue and he forced himself to continue walking.
Ever since he had woken from that dream, he had felt strangely calm. There had
been no more traps and Marcus had the distinct impression that the labyrinth
was trying to lull him into a sense of safety.
Marcus had grown used to the green light by now. It almost felt normal to him.
Every time he came to the end of a corridor, he hoped to find something that
would tell him which way to go, but only another dark room awaited him. ** I'm
never going to find the way out,** he realized and wondered what had happened
to Marc. They would never find Alfred.
The ancient intelligence watched the ranger's every move. It knew it should
concentrate on the others as well, but this being had captured its full
attention. ** Shall I reveal myself to him? Should I wait a little longer and
see what else I can learn of this being? I could try and push him further. I
need to feel his emotions. I need to learn!**