A Dream Given Form: A Babylon 5 Self Insert

[DarkDestroyer]

I never really got the impression that the Centarum works like that. Still, I suppose having him listed as an official ambassadorial asset is going to throw people off. Obviously he'd keep the good stuff for himself like any sensible centauri.

Click to shrink...

This is also SI Adam MAKING that assumption. He has no idea if Londo actually reported him to the government or not. He's projecting...so we could go with that Adam does have a fairly large ego lol...and overestimating his worth is just a default thought process given the situation he's in.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Warner Brothers Discovery Own Babylon 5. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

Authors' Note: The next couple of chapters are blink and you'll miss 'em short ones.

I enter Medlab after being cleared by Security, which means I am now a VIP.

"Ambassador Mollari, and Lord Reefa left a little while ago. Captain Sheridan is on the line back home, I felt you needed to see him." Franklin says gesturing over to the draped bed.

I nod and head over to the bed. Turhan. Turned out to be a good man, no one understood. We're about to get monsters.

"I'm sorry, your majesty. I know why you came here. What you meant to do...but it was too late. This gesture should have been made a lot sooner, I'm not sure it would have prevented what is going to happen, but it would have helped. I should have intervened sooner. I---"

I put my hand on the edge of the bed. I don't feel comfortable touching him. Suddenly hear chimes...

"Stephen?" I ask turning around

"Yeah?"

"Did you hear that...."

"Sorry, I'm writing my report. I---"

"Thank you for allowing me to see him. I have to go."

I brisk by security and head down the corridor. I'd know that eerie swishing sound anywhere. I turn down a couple more and I see him.

"Kosh." I whisper, not hiding my awe.

The Vorlon Ambassador turns around in his encounter suit. It is what I would call a graceful lumbering. The things they could do now...damn WB.

"Yes." That voice...

"Why haven't you come to see me sooner?" I ask

"You do not understand." He replies, and I shake my head

"Oh no. You don't get to reply in riddles, and avoid me. You know who I am---yeah that's right. I said the right word. I KNOW who I am. Why haven't you come to me before? Why are you letting me slowly pierce things together like a puzzle piece? The two of us know what we need to do!" I exclaim angrily. Vorlons seem to exist to evoke emotion .

"You do not understand." he starts to turn from me

I walk and keep pace with him.

"What does that mean, pertaining to me? I DO understand. All of it. I know what is yet to come as well. You are in danger..."

He continues to stride ahead of me...and I exhale. Damn it.

"You know, for a being who is a million years old---you sure are annoying!!!" I yell

I hear his little vocalizer chime device as he replies to me...and I smile.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Warner Brothers Discovery. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

The Narn-Centauri War has begun in full force. In my opinion how JMS crafted and executed this particular plot point was genius. There was nothing that I could have done to avoid what occurred I continually tell myself. Not only did Emperor Turhan have to die, and Londo and fucking Reefa get their way, but now I've potentially aliened G'Kar. Not due to stopping him from killing Turhan, no, but he will be pissed that I KNEW about this and DID NOTHING. I am sorry G'Kar, but you have a destiny, and it takes pain and suffering to get to it. You'll understand in the future. I hope.

In the meantime, it is a shit show as 25,000 marines descend into the station. Yes. We've reached "Gropos". Commanded by Stephen's father, General Richard Franklin. Garibaldi knocks on my door.

"Chief..."

"We've got no time to chit chat. Grab your stuff, and let's go." he says hurriedly

"What?"

"We're relocating you to temp new quarters. All Earth Force personnel quarters are being triple, and quadrupled up to accommodate for the...insane amount of marines. Let's go. We don't have much time."

I hurry and pack as fast as I can. Luckily I still don't have a lot of stuff. I shove clothes in a bag---

"What about---"

"Doesn't matter. Let's go." Garibaldi pushes

There's not a whole lot I can do in this episode. Garibaldi, don't fuck up with Dodger.

He nods to his contingent following us which includes Zack as we hurry through corridors and into an elevator.

"Where are we going?"

"The Minbari have graciously given permission for you to stay in one of their VIP quarters. You'll stay there until this is over, hopefully sooner, the better."

"It'll be a couple of days at least."

The Chief humorously glances at me

"That's two days too long." he answers

"It could be worse. They could be here for a week." I grin.

"A week!?" Zack exclaims

We leave the elevator and as we turn, Talia Winters approaches Garibaldi who attempts to brush her off. Talia and I exchange glances....she is then bombarded with images as I am and then...I pull away. She is startled as she runs off. I take a moment to collect myself.

"What the hell just happened?" Garibaldi asks greatly concerned

"I-I....don't---know. T-that---w-wasn't...f-fun..." I barely manage out

"Damn it. We don't have time to deal with this now. Are you okay?"

I reach my head and shake it.

"I'll be okay."

I've waited too long to deal or help Talia. Damn. This could potentially be bad. Really bad, but there's no time to deal with this right now.

We reach the quarters where Delenn and a couple of the Minbari are waiting. The Chief thanks her for this, he has to leave. He's going to be busy over the next couple of days. Not to mention cranky. As is most of the command staff.

"Are you okay?" she asks me

"I think so, I just had an encounter with Talia Winters."

"How?" Delenn asks curious

"She came up to Michael with a question, probably about the Gropos...we passed by each other, only inches away, I felt her mind---which should be impossible at this point to do...and well.."

"She scanned you?"

"To put it bluntly, she did. I don't know what she saw. I don't know what I saw...it was a jumbled up bunch of images, all at once. I'm sure she's overwhelmed. I'm hoping like hell it was too many images for her to decipher...or else we're all in big trouble."

"We will deal with that once this...issue is resolved. You are welcome to rest. Your work, you've been given the next couple of days off. Garibaldi didn't explain why to Doug, just that you needed the break." Delenn replies

"Oh great. Sorry, I am incredibly thankful. How does the flat bed work?" I ask to deflect the question, she knows I already know this but it gives her something to do. She smiles and goes over to show me.

 

[Mr Zoat]

"Oh great. Sorry, I am incredibly thankful. How does the flat bed work?" I ask to deflect the question, she knows I already know this but it gives her something to do. She smiles and goes over to show me.

Click to shrink...

I assume this is a reference to the sloping beds on the White Star, but why does it say 'flat'? Delenn's bed in her quarters is flat.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

I assume this is a reference to the sloping beds on the White Star, but why does it say 'flat'? Delenn's bed in her quarters is flat.

Click to shrink...

It's a joke, an incorrect one though.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Warner Brothers Discovery Owns Babylon 5. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

Operation Sudden Death goes without a hitch, as Captain Sheridan plans it with General Franklin as his star continues to rise. Babylon 5 receives it's upgrades. The station is now able to take out a capital ship, and has increased screen and shield strength. Stephen and his father, reconcile. Dodger and Michael end up having their night together. Meanwhile I have bigger fish to fry.

"So let me get this straight, Talia Winters passes you by while you're being escorted to your new quarters, and what...you both get some kind of psychic imagery from each other?" Captain Sheridan asks as I sit in his office, he looks tired.

"That's right. It was a jumble of images for me. I have no idea what she saw. This should have been impossible. My understanding is that she has to touch someone in order to scan them."

"That's our understanding too, but this implies---a great deal. You're telling me that she might know what you know, now? Maybe more?" he asks

"I don't know what she might know sir. I'm guessing she was bombarded the same way I was. I saw things too...things I can't decipher."

Sheridan pours himself a cup of coffee, offers me one and I politely turn it away. He rubs his temple in frustration.

"You're holding back on me, Mr. Young. I recognize that look on your face now."

It's time I told him about Talia.

"Promise not to hold anything against me if I do sir?"

"I understand you have to keep certain things close to the chest. Hell, I'm the one who told you when we first met, I didn't want to know everything---but if it has anything to do with station security, or the well being of the people of this station--"

"I don't know how exactly to say this, so I'm just going to say it. Talia Winters is not who she thinks she is."

"Ah hell." he takes a moment then prompts me

"How? Psi-Corp?"

I nod.

"Yes sir."

"Wait...is telling me going to compromise whatever it is you're attempting to do with Talia?"

"It shouldn't sir. I know you collect secrets, are interested in conspiracies....are you familiar at all with Project Lazarus?"

The name hangs in the air.

"Bureau 13. Yeah, I found out about it."

" Lyta Alexander will board the station later this year and expose Talia. I had hoped to help Talia, but I don't see any way of deprogramming the conditioning without first triggering the personality."

"Damn. Why can't anything just be simple?"

"Wouldn't make for a very good story..." I half mutter

"What was that?" he asks and gives me that knowing look

"Nothing sir."

"Uh-huh. So how do you want to handle this? Talia has been asking who you were, so far thanks to the Gorpos being here, we've not had to tell her anything."

"I'd like to sit down and meet with her sir. I think it's the only way."

"I Don't think that's a good idea, especially after what you've just told me."

"I agree, but there's no other way---and I'd prefer to confront her. Not about what we talked about, but we also need to know if she actually knows anything, and I'm the only one who can find that out."

"You've been around Garibaldi too long..." He mutters

"All right. I'll authorize a fifteen minute sit down with her. Security will be present, to make you both safe, but they'll be posted discreetly."
"Thank you sir."

"Be careful Mr. Young."

"I intend to sir."

Later that evening I head into the Zocalo. It's still weird to comprehend that this is my reality now. Seeing this place for real, it overwhelms me sometimes. I push that thought aside as I see Talia sitting down waiting for me in an empty steel table. She's of course wearing her mustard yellow and black Psi-Corp uniform, and nervously touching both of her gloved hands. I decided to put on one of my suits for this. A casual suit. Nothing fancy. This is just like how you've met everyone else so far. Yep. Nothing overly important or anxiety inducing here. Adam calm.

"Ms. Winters." I greet formally as I approach her and she half smiles, she's def on guard, and who can blame her after what she just experienced?

"Mr. Young. So formal." she offers me her hand and I take it and shake it

"I felt it appropriate, since we've not officially met each other yet." she motions to sit down and I do

Damn. I wish there was another way. I LIKE Talia. But remind myself quickly, she isn't Talia. I don't know what she is right now. A thing of Psi-Corp.

"So uh...thank you for agreeing to meet."

"Do you know that you're an empath?" she starts and I nod slowly

"I have known probably since I was in my twenties that I have some kind of ability to feel others feelings. The closer to proximity to me, the stronger I feel them, etc."

She nods. I start to relax and decide to take a different tactic. I wave my hand in front of her.

"What are you doing?" she asks

"There's nothing to see here. Move along."

She surprises me with a chuckle.
"That was a cute moment in the movie."

"You've seen Star Wars?" I ask

"A long time ago, yes."

"I'll just come right out and ask you, what did you see? I felt your mind...I shouldn't have." and she nods agreeing with me

"I think it was due to your empathic nature. You were highly anxious, stressed out, sometimes surface thoughts can bleed out, especially around Telepaths that are ranked P5 or higher."

Which she is.

"I see..."

She sigh and places both her hands on the table.

"I haven't been able to decipher what I saw. There were...too many images. I do know one thing though, and I don't mean to startle you--"

"Yes?" I prompt

"I saw multiple versions of you." she says not understanding anything

"What?" I breathe

"You, but many different versions of you. Again it was fleeting, nothing lasting for more than a half a second...."

I almost visibly relax.

"I'm sorry. That must've packed a punch."

"It did. Took me all night to recover. I tried to ask Commander Ivanova about you, and Garibaldi, but they both wouldn't answer me."

She sounds hurt when she mentions Susan. So that confirms that.

"I'm sorry. All you need to know is that I'm a friend. I'm here to help." I say

She nods. I can't tell you more since I can't trust you. Plus I don't know if you'll report me to Psi-Corp even now, anyway.

"So where does this leave us?" I ask

"I think I have enough information about you. I was simply curious..."

I nod.

"All right. If there's nothing else?" I ask and she nods and the two of us shake hands and I watch her leave. I observe security leaving. I am starving hungry. I decide to head over to the Eclipse Cafe and order a roast beef sandwich, and say hi to Kat who is working. I start chatting her up, trying NOT to think about the conversation I just had with Talia...

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Warner Brothers Discovery Own Babylon 5. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

I wake up and hear a soft groan beside me. I turn to see Kat laying there. We spent the entire rest of thed day talking, and I ended up inviting her over for dinner at my place. I've since moved back into my quarters after the marines were here. Luckily they didn't damage anything, a miracle really given what the rest of them did to the station. I made a creamy egg noodle pasta with chickpea sauce, and a light salad. Must've done the trick.

"Computer what is the time?"

"The time is 09:00 hours".

Kat hears that and humorously shoots up out of bed naked.

"I'm late for work. I work the cafe today. I'm at the officer's club later tonight."

She grabs her clothes from the floor and starts putting them on.

"Will I see you again?" I ask

"Sure hon. You know where I work." she winks back and then quickly comes and kisses me before hurrying out the door.

My door chime beeps.

"Uh just a second."

I toss on my robe and head to answer it. It is Delenn.

"Ambassador...I uh..."

"I apologize for disturbing you at this hour Adam, but---"

"The Council has summoned you." she bows

"Yes. I do not know when I will be back, but felt it was important for you to know."

"Thank you Ambassador for everything you have done for me. You'll be back. We still have a great deal of work ahead of us." I probably shouldn't have said that

She nods and the two of us exchange bows. I watch as she leaves. The Council has requested her presence in order to determine her fate, and answer for her...transformation. Wait a minute. If this is happening now. I rush over to my side table and grab my link.

"Young to CIC."

"Ivanova here. Is there a problem Mr. Young?"

"Yeah---has Captain Sheridan left to deal with the Streib yet?"

"They left a hour and a half ago. Why?" I can hear the concern in her voice

"Damn it..." this is what I get for sleeping in

"The Captain's in danger. With your permission I'll be up there in less than fifteen minutes."

"Acknowledged."

It's my turn to grab my clothes on and hurry out the door.

In twelve minutes for the very first time I rush into C-In-C and don't have time to take in the fact that I'm inside Babylon 5's control center. Susan looks at me with concern.

"What's going on? What's happened to the Captain?"

"The Captain has been kidnaped by the Streib. They're the ones responsible for the raids in the sector of space you briefed him about this morning. They perform experiments on their victims. He is there with Ta'Lon. He's probably in the middle of attempting to escape right now."

"Do you know the coordinates of his location? We're expecting General Hague shortly?"

"No but I know someone who does. Contact Ambassador Delenn and explain the situation to her."

I stand off to the side while Susan does so and Delenn looks slightly tired. She must be into her situation with the Council already...

"Yes, they are called the Streib, as our mutual friend described."

"Can you provide us with coordinates to their home world?"

"Of course."

She relays the coordinates and Susan alerts General Hague along with the Agamemnon.

"They will intercept the Streib ship and rescue the Captain." she says and I Nod

"Thank you." She says

"Your welcome. I just wish I was able to---

She laughs.

"You know perhaps better than anyone that you're not stopping John Sherdian from doing anything he has committed himself to, least of all going into a dangerous situation. Been there, done that."

Corwin confirms that General Hague as well as the Agamemnon have received their signal and are on the way to intercept the ships. With that I nod to Susan and head out.

Later on that evening. I'm called into Sheridan's quarters, the first time that I've been here now. Today's been quite a day. I enter and stop in place as I see General William Hague in person. Robert Foxworth. I have a weird sensation swarm over me and it subsides.

"Captain I---"

"It's all right Mr. Young. The General knows all about you. Come in." he must've realized Hague could be trusted about me...for obvious reasons

General Hague reaches out his hand and I shake it. It is an iron grip.

"At ease, Mr. Young. Captain Sheridan felt given the sensitive nature of what the two of us have been working on, that I could be trusted where you're concerned. Welcome to our reality, son."

"It is a honor to meet you General." I say with all sincerity

"We've asked you here tonight, because we both know that you are aware of what we've been attempting to do." he starts

I pause.

"It's okay Mr. Young, the room is secure. You may speak freely."

"General...I admire what you and the Captain are attempting to do. But if I might make a suggestion?"

"By all means."

"Do not be so bold in your defiance of President Clark. It is what gets you killed, sir."

Butterflying Hague getting killed is a huge on my to do list.

"Elaborate."

"You are planning on putting together a coalition of forces against the President. I advise to go slow with this plan. President Clark's agents are already on to you, probably even now. They will chase you down and end up destroying you within the next several months. It is not yet time to confront Clark."

"We can't wait for a perfect time, son, you must realize that." argues Hague

"There will never be a perfect time, but I'd much rather have you alive--than dead. We need you sir." I reply with earnest

Sheridan will still ascend even with Hague in command, but staying alive as long as possible, will mean we will have resources in theory, they didn't in the show.

"Very well. What of the other matter I have had Captain Sheridan enact on my behalf"

"The command staff of Babylon 5 are loyal to Earth sir. They will be brought into the conspiracy."

He nods his head.

"Well Captain, I should think that confirms the fears we've had. Mr. Young has just indirectly confirmed everything we felt was happening."

"Mr. Young knows what has happened, sir, and has seen the outcome of it. We need to be careful though if we're to win this fight. I agree with him on that."

"I don't have much more time. Captain Sheridan was correct in not sending you to Earth. If Clark's forces or Psi-Corp discovered what you are---then all would be lost."

"Yes sir."

"Your secret is safe with me, son. If you ever need anything, and I'm in a position to grant it---don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you sir. It's been a honor."

"We'll be in touch Captain." he leaves

"Susan told me that you were responsible for helping rescue me. Thank you."

The One must be preserved.

"Your welcome sir. The others?"

"Will be told what is going on after the General leaves. You were good there with him."

"Thank you sir. I think my confidence level has shot up being here. Having something to do---"

"You don't talk much about your life back home...was it all that bad?"

"Not at all sir---just---difficult.

"Life usually is." he taps his Link and calls in the others.

Some time later after the Captain and I have talked some more. I watch as the others file into Sheridan's quarters. They all exchange glances with me. I nod back.

"All of you by now have interacted with Mr. Young here...Adam, all of us know where he is from, and the knowledge he possess. I have chosen to confide in General Hague about him, and now all of you need to know that he has my trust."

They all nod at me again and I nod back.

"Ever since the death of President Santiago, something unpleasant has been going on back home. You know it, and I know it." he says addressing us

"We've stood by too long. That's going to change. Quietly, discreetly, an inch at a time, and for now---strictly within the rules. But we have to do something or risk losing everything we hold dear."

"We'll get some help from inside Earth Dome, and Mr. Young here will provide us with bits and pieces as we go along, but the bottom line is, if anything goes wrong, we're on our own. Anyone wants to leave now, before you hear anything you'll have to report---do so. Nothing will be said."

"I'm in."

"Ditto."

"Hey, I never did know when to butt out."

"We're with you Captain. Where ever this goes, however it ends, we're with you."

The Conspiracy of Light has begun.