Sisters Under The Skin, part 9: Means of Communication (NEW, B5, 9/14)
I love this part. It just works for me. And it has one of my new favorite characters, who's canon and not canon!
Anna's hero journey is a lot more subdued and a lot more personal than John and Delenn's, which is played out against a wider backdrop. Anna finds her way through interpersonal relationships, with many false starts and new beginnings.
Sisters Under The Skin
Part Nine: Means of Communication
Standard disclaimer applies; not my characters or settings or backgrounds. But they are my words.
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Anna felt almost numb as her taciturn escort settled her into her seat on the shuttle. The ship was small and confining, but it would take them to a White Star hanging in space outside the station. Once they were aboard the larger ship, it would take them even further away from Earth before beginning the circuitous trek back to her home space. Her farewell messages lay behind her as bridges to her past life. Whether she'd burned those bridges or strengthened them, she had no idea.
To John, she'd left instructions for him to get on with his life, to keep doing what he had to do, and to take care of Delenn. In the other note, Anna had assured Delenn that this mission is what she wanted and needed in order to find her own way. She'd also asked the Minbari not to worry or feel responsible for how things turned out, and to take care of John. Anna had thought about giving them both her blessing, but that felt a bit over the top. Besides, her feelings were too raw and confused for flippancy.
Now that the journey had begun, Anna wondered what she should do once she got to Earth. She settled back in the padded seat and tried to think. If she was right the Shadows had influence, and perhaps even operatives, inside EarthGov. William Dexter had contacts within the resistance. The resistance surely had contacts in the government. Anna herself had nothing but the bag stowed under her seat, a carefully worded introduction to Reverend Dexter from Brother Theo, and the ability hidden in the depths of her mind.
"Dr. Sheridan?"
The query came from the Ranger, a sturdily built human of average height, with light brown hair cut short, and dark brown, almost black eyes. He had been studying her since the shuttle had left the dock. Anna might have been lost in thought, but she had still been aware of his attention.
"Mr. Garibaldi mentioned your identicard was operational."
"Yes," she replied, wondering where this was going. "It still works, even though I'm officially deceased. I have some credit on it, that's most of my money, though I do also have some station chits John gave me. I don't suppose they will be worth anything where I'm going."
"I think you should not use the card," he said firmly. "Either destroy it, or hide it away for emergencies. Do not carry it on you."
Anna sat upright in surprise. "But Mr. Garibaldi checked it out, and whatever I may think of him personally, I don't question his ability to do his job. John would never have left him in charge if he doubted his competence." She pulled the card from the inset pocket on the sleeve of her jacket. "Besides, it's all I have left of myself."
The Ranger's eyes narrowed to slits as if trying to focus in on her heart and her soul. "You are all you need of yourself. And it is the experience of the Anla'Shok that the Shadows leave nothing behind without a reason. I am to accompany you to Mars and leave you in the hands of the Rangers stationed there. They will smuggle you down to Earth. From what I understand your mission lies there."
Anna simply nodded. It occurred to her that she didn't know this man very well, Ranger though he was.
Caution needed to be her constant companion now. "Perhaps you are right," she said slowly.
"The Rangers on Mars can give you a new identity to use until you are sure," he said, a slight smile warming his eyes. "You are right to be careful, even with me." Putting out his hand across the space separating their seats, he added, "I am Jason Walker, and I was born on Mars. Your mission will allow me to check on my family, for which I am grateful. Although we forswear family ties upon joining the Anla'Shok, I remain concerned. Martial law has been difficult for the Mars-born."
"Ah," replied Anna as she grasped his outstretched hand and shook it firmly. "My first off-world mission was to the diggings in the desert outside Burroughs City. I have fond memories of the place. John was stationed on Mars at one point also, during the Riots."
Jason's face closed down. "That was a bad time."
Anna nodded, "I agree. My husband is a soldier; he goes where he is ordered. Until this secession, I would not have believed him to ever disobey an order. But hard times make hard decisions."
"They do," answered Jason. He hesitated, "You are going to a shadowed Earth, that is what you believe, am I correct?"
"Shadowed in more ways than one," Anna concurred grimly.
"Then take advantage of what the Rangers offer; money, a new identicard, cover for your mission. It is what we do, and we are very good at it," he urged.
"All right," said Anna. "I'll at least consider it. But why are you doing all this for me? How did you hear of my mission?"
"I know nothing aside from your destination," said Jason. "But Entil'zha Delenn has placed you under our protection. Whatever your mission, the Anla'Shok will do whatever it takes, whatever is needed, to help you accomplish it." He sat back in his chair. "You should get some sleep. We will have time to discuss this further. It will take us two weeks to reach Mars, and possibly another week to land you on Earth." And with that he closed his eyes and seemed to be instantly asleep.
Anna envied him. She didn't think sleep would come easily to her, not for quite a while. It was good of Delenn to look out for her, although the Rangers made her a little uneasy. They were so single-mindedly devoted, and so determined. But she didn't have have many assets to help her in her vague and ill-defined task. During their conversation, it occurred to her that she did have one more asset--a contact of her own, someone who knew his way around the higher echelons of the government. After meeting with Rev. Dexter, her next step would be to let her in-laws know she was back. She would locate retired ambassador David Sheridan, and see if he could help her to help Earth.
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The ides of March were blustery and cold in Chicago. Ann Sullivan (as she was calling herself) felt the cold through her microfleece jacket. Jamming her hands deep into the pockets, she walked north on the street which would lead to the rectory where Rev. Dexter lived. The wind cut into her skin and she felt an errant snowflake or two hit her eyelashes. Her eyes were slitted against the stiff gusts, making it hard to see the house numbers. Out of the afternoon shadows rose the bulk of an old stone church, and just beyond it a sprawling house, dark green ivy spilling down the walls. Anna stepped through the open iron gate, walked quickly up the brick sidewalk and knocked on the heavy wooden door.
"Yes?" A low warm voice answered Anna's knock, and the door opened to reveal a middle-aged black woman, her face creased in a wide welcoming smile. Her carefully styled hair glistened snow-white against the soft tan folds of her face. She shivered as the chill air entered the hall, and gestured to Anna. "Come in, come in out of the cold," she urged.
Anna followed her hostess down the tiled hallway and into a large comfortable living room with a faded flowered couch and two overstuffed yellow and green plaid chairs. A fire burned on an open flagstone hearth, and flames danced high in a red brick chimney. The older woman sat down in one of the chairs which flanked the fire place, and indicated that Anna take the other. Anna brushed the damp from her coat and sat. "I'm Ann Sullivan. I've come a long way to meet Reverend Dexter. I have a message..."
"From Brother Theo," replied the woman. "Do you want some tea?"
"That would be lovely," said Anna, thrown off stride by the woman's knowledge. "When will Rev. Dexter be back?"
"Soon. He's visiting. It's part of the job, to visit. And he enjoys it. We didn't know when you would arrive, you see," the woman said as she rose from the chair. A table against the wall held an electric kettle, several mis-matched china cups, and a sugar bowl. "Do you take milk? I have some in the kitchen. Wouldn't take a minute."
Anna shook her head. "No, just sugar is fine." She found herself relaxing, sinking back into the chair, the warmth and the light filling her up and spreading out to her limbs, which now felt heavy with fatigue. "I have to talk to...someone. Have to find the resistance..." As the words left her lips, she sat up, blinking the sudden rush of weariness from her eyes. "I don't know why I said that," she said hurriedly. "It's Reverend Dexter I want to see."
"No, honey," came back a low chuckle. "Will is a good man, and he's been acting as courier and an ambassador of sorts, but his real work is here with his congregation." Emily Dexter laid a cup of tea on the table next to Anna. "I am pleased to meet you, Dr. Sheridan. I head the NorthAmerican branch of the Free Earth Alliance." She smiled warmly, "You've found the resistance."
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Anna sat in shocked silence, then broke into choking laughter. "Why didn't anyone tell me?" She felt herself slipping into hysteria and grasped at the hot cup of tea, letting the shock of the sudden heat on her fingers bring her back to herself.
Emily took a sip, and carefully set down the cup on a crocheted circle obviously meant to act as coaster. "You mean why didn't the Rangers tell you about me? That's easy; they don't know."
A glint of steel in the older woman's eye made Anna feel the return of caution. "What do you know about the Rangers?" she asked cautiously. Reaching into her coat, she pulled the carefully folded missive from Theo from an inner pocket. "Do you want to read this?"
"Later," replied Emily. "I imagine the insults are for Will and the confirmation of your identity for me, but we already know who you are." She picked up her cup, and balanced it on the wide curved arm of the chair, her slender fingers holding it by the thin rim. "As for the Rangers, we don't work with them here, but we have contacts on Mars, with the resistance there. The Rangers have a presence on Mars and have for several years. They're keeping a watch on something, we don't know exactly what, but they have worked with and for our friends on Mars, so we trust them...at least a little."
Anna nodded. "They keep watch on the Shadows," she said. Jason Walker had been reticent, but not totally unforthcoming about the Rangers' mission on Mars. Anna supposed once Delenn had told them to help her, they released information as they thought she might need it. "I do a little in that line myself," she added wryly.
Emily tilted her head to one side, examining her guest with needle-sharp perception. "Will told me about the greater War being fought outside our system. Are you telling me the two are related?"
"It's possible," replied Anna, "although the war with the Shadows is over." Leaning forward, she laced her fingers together and tried to force the sincerity of her beliefs into her words. "The Shadows encouraged conflict; one of their goals was to keep forces from coming together in alliance. Earth is caught up in xenophobia. It was convenient for them, keeping us out of the bigger war. We brought other races together once to fight the Dilgar. They didn't want that to happen again."
"Makes sense," Emily agreed. "But you say it's over?" She leaned forward, examining Anna with narrowed eyes. "So they've been defeated. What does this have to do with our struggles?"
"It makes sense that the Shadows encouraged this xenophobia; they may even be backing President Clark. I can tell you who in the government, and who in the resistance, has been in contact with the Shadows," said Anna with a confidence she didn't entirely feel. "It will tell you who can and can't be trusted."
Emily Dexter picked up the cup and settled it in the palms of her hands, staring into the brown steaming liquid. "I see." She sat silent for a minute, which stretched to two, and then three.
Anna had begun to wonder if her whole journey had been a wasted one when the other woman spoke.
"If we take you up on this...let you use this ability you believe you have to identify those who've cooperated with the Shadows...would we be any different that the government?" Emily spoke slowly.
Anna was confused. "What do you mean?"
"EarthGov has managed to build fear in our people, fear of all alien influences. If we go after those who've been influenced by aliens, tag them and tar them...aren't we following the same course?" asked Emily.
"But the Shadows are evil!" replied Anna. "They use people, wire them into their ships. They killed hundreds of thousands of innocent beings, started wars..."
"The whole race of them? Every single one? How do you know this?" Emily's voice was slightly censorious.
"I," said Anna, then stopped. "They were working in concert, like a hive of bees or a colony of ants." She rubbed the back of her neck. "They were horrible," she said, and shuddered.
Emily watched her sympathetically. "If they were behind Clark's ascent to power and his tyrannical rule, then I'm glad they were defeated. And I suppose it would be good to know who their contacts were, even if we don't rush to condemn them," said Emily. "How would you suggest we get started?" she asked.
"I want to find David Sheridan. Help me get to the family farm. John told me he and Miranda had retired there," Anna urged.
Emily shook her head. "They're being watched."
"Do they ever leave? Go to a nearby city, or even come to Chicago?" Anna asked, searching for options.
Emily nodded. "We keep an eye on them too. Not too close, the government forces aren't too smart but there are a lot of them, and we don't need the attention. David comes in to Northwestern every few months, sometimes with Miranda, sometimes on his own. He picks up some kind of medication there."
"For his blood disorder," Anna assented. "He's taken Tenasticin for years; it's made in Centauri space and it's hard as hell to get hold of. Probably it's even harder now."
"We can divert Ambassador Sheridan on his next visit," said Emily. "Will generally has a parishioner or two in the university hospital. He can run into the ambassador, make his acquaintance, maybe invite him home..."
"When is his next trip?" asked Anna.
"Not till the end of the month," replied Emily. "You're welcome to stay here. While we're waiting you can check out my people for this 'influence'."
"All right," said Anna. "But I wish it could happen sooner. I have the strangest feeling that Earth is the next battlefield." She smiled sadly. "Wars never really end, do they?"
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Anna didn't find anyone influenced by the Shadows in Emily's inner circle, all of whom came to dinner at one time or another the next two week and were unwittingly scanned by their fellow guest. Emily had not wanted to do it this way, but her husband Will, a charismatic and boisterous man had insisted. He was deadly serious when it came to protecting his wife. Anna found it very sweet. As the time got close for David's usual visit to Chicago, she became more and more agitated. She had been close to John's parents, even before their marriage, due to her long friendship with their daughter Lizzie. Now they thought she was dead; they had mourned her for over three years. It was bound to be a shock. Anna had no idea what would be the best way to let them know of her continued existence. Emily merely smiled at her anxieties, and told her to leave it to Will.
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When the time came Anna was seated in the same living room where Emily had revealed herself as leader of a resistance cell. She was writing on a tablet of white paper, the first several pages curled back around the top. She'd always had a fondness for writing by hand, and this was her attempt at a record of what had happened to her since she'd regained consciousness on Babylon 5. It was her hope that writing it down might give her some idea of what to say to David when he finally arrived.
She was lost in thought when the front door slammed and she heard voices approaching down the hallway. One was Will Dexter's, the other even with a quaver she didn't recall was obviously David Sheridan's. Anna stood, then sat down, wondering what she could possibly say. The door to the living room opened and Emily entered.
"Will's taken him into his study and is telling him you're here," she said briskly. At the sight of Anna's startled face, she crossed the room and patted the younger woman's shoulder. "There's no way to make this easy on either of you. But it's good news," she went on, squeezing Anna's arm. "He'll be happy about it once he's past the shock."
Privately Anna wondered how she could possibly explain everything that had happened to her, and to John. But then the door was opening, and there was her Pop-in-law. Tears blurred her sight for a moment but she rapidly blinked them away. He was older, shrunken a little, but wearing the same old cardigan she remembered. And he was holding out his hands to her, so she entered the first whole-hearted embrace of welcome she'd received since her return.
"David," she managed to say, her voice muffled as she buried her head in his shoulder. The cardigan smelled of wool and the spicy aftershave he'd always worn. "I'm back."
The older man gently pushed her away and examined her top to bottom. "Anna?" he finally said, and her heart felt pinched by the sadness she heard in his voice. "Is it really you?"
"Yes!" she said, brushing away the tears that would not be denied. "How are you?" she asked, though it seemed an inane question at the moment. That's what social niceties were for however, to get people through the awkward moments.
"Fine, fine," David replied. Will, who had been standing back with his arm around Emily, came forward and taking David by the elbow, guided him to a chair. Anna sat close to him on the edge of the adjacent couch. David's eyes glittered, "Does John know?"
Anna had dreaded this inevitable question. "Yes, he does. I...was brought to Babylon 5, and he was... there." Eventually, she added mentally, wondering how much to say, and how much David already knew.
"Why are you here then?" David straightened and some of his formidable intellect came through in his posture and tone. "Why come back to Earth?"
"It's a long story," began Anna slowly. She'd given this moment so much thought, carefully deciding on a cover story, on exactly how much to reveal. And all her resolve melted in the emotion of greeting the first person who had simply been happy to see her. “I did die out there, well, almost anyway. Some of the people on Babylon 5 brought me back to health, and then I came here.” Her voice faltered and fell. “As for why come back to Earth....I just wanted to come home,” she concluded abruptly.
David looked at her skeptically. “You were injured when the Icarus exploded?” he asked.
“We crashed. Most of us died. Two of us survived, after a fashion, and came back.” The scar on the back of her neck was throbbing painfully, like a hot coal had been touched to it. “It changed me, and it changed John,” she added without thinking.
David sat up straight and his eyes bored into her. “Crashed where? What do you mean, 'it' changed John? Your return changed him, or something else? What can you tell me about my son?” he demanded, a cooler tone entering his voice.
“I can't tell you much,” Anna confessed. “Some of it is not my story to tell. And then, things are still happening out there. He's well, or was the last time I saw him before I left.”
“Where was he when you left for Earth?” asked David. Emily had left them to talk, going out to arrange the evening meal, which was to be just the four of them. Will had removed himself to the background, but Anna could feel his watchful eyes on her, his care that she not reveal secrets that were not hers.
Anna narrowed her eyes and thought hard about how much she should reveal. David's hand on the arm of the chair was shaking slightly, and she felt a rush of pity. John's parents understood his work, but she knew they missed him, and given the events of the last few years, they must also be worried sick most of the time. Her instincts kicked in; the man was an ex-Ambassador, and her father-in-law. He deserved some answers. “John was still away with the Fleet when I left.”
“The Fleet?” queried David. Will made a motion in the shadows near the fire, but stayed silent.
Anna nodded. “There was a war going on, out in space. John and Delenn rallied the other races to fight together against the enemy, and the Alliance won. They won a great battle. You should be proud of him.”
“Delenn?” asked David. “The Minbari Ambassador? Who exactly were they fighting?”
Anna felt her throat close on the words, which came out in a harsh whisper, “The Shadows, that's what they're called, and they killed the others from the Icarus. They're the ones who took away three years of my life.”
David sat back in his chair and clutched both arms, his thin fingers pushing through the crocheted holes in the protective arm covers. “But where were you, Anna, while you were gone...while we all thought you were dead?” He looked confused. “How did you come back?” He rubbed his forehead with one hand. “And this war... it's over?”
At that moment Emily came back into the room. “Will,” she said, “I need to speak with you. We have company.”
Anna looked up, startled. David looked from one face to another in concern. Will crossed the room and touched Emily on the arm. She laid her hand on his briefly “How many?” he said.
“Two,” she replied. “Not to worry. The watchers are being watched. Maybe it would be best if Ambassador Sheridan remained here as our guest, for a few days at least.”
“I have to get home,” David protested. “Miranda is expecting me.”
“We can get word to you that you've been delayed,” replied Emily. And, exchanging a glance with Will, she added, “And perhaps we should pass along a warning as well.” Turning to Anna and David, she smiled. “Come in to dinner now. We can talk more later.”
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Emily and Will told Anna privately that they would hold a council of war after David had been settled into the guest room. The elder Sheridan hadn't planned to spend the night this trip, but Emily kept a safe house in the underground cellars hidden below the house, and it was always stocked for unexpected guests. A quick trip downstairs netted the basic hygiene items while the older man was escorted upstairs by Anna. She answered even more questions about John on the way, and realized uncomfortably that David understood more than she explicitly explained.
Anna came back down and entered the dining room, where Emily was pouring out two glasses of red wine. The older woman handed Anna a glass and sat down next to her husband. Anna pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing her legs and leaning forward. “What exactly is going on?”
Will sighed and leaned back in his chair. Emily took a drink from her glass then twirled the stem between her fingers. Emily spoke first. “We've kept a watch on the Sheridans, ever since the station declared itself independent. The government didn't take well to Captain Sheridan's joining the ranks of the disaffected, and we were afraid Clark would take action against his parents.”
“Would he do that?” asked Anna, slightly shocked. Then she shook her head, surprised at her own naivete. “Of course he would. Neutralize your enemies by any means necessary. That's sound military strategy. But would he be more likely to harm them or simply use them as hostages?”
“I don't know,” replied Will. “But if the war with the Shadows is over, Captain Sheridan will now be free to work directly against Clark. And if Clark was allied with the Shadows, he would know of their defeat, and he would prepare for a possible attack from the rebelling worlds.”
Emily nodded. “I'm afraid that rounding up hostages makes a good deal of sense. We've sent someone out to the Sheridan farm who will encourage Miranda Sheridan to take precautions, even go into hiding. It's probably best if the Ambassador stays here. We can move him to a safer place if need be.” She looked at Will. “We'll have to check on any relatives of the leaders on Mars and Proxima that live here on Earth, and get them to safety if we can.”
“Agreed,” said Will. Then he examined Anna. “And what shall we do to protect Captain Sheridan's wife?”
“I don't need protection,” protested Anna. “They don't even know I'm alive!” She stopped, and said in despair, “Of course they do. God, I'm such an idiot. The last thing I wanted to do was be used against John and against Earth. Thank goodness I got rid of that identicard,” she added under her breath.
“I don't think they know you're here with us,” mused Emily. “There's been no increase in surveillance since your arrival. But perhaps it is best if you move on.”
“With David?” Anna asked.
“No,” replied Emily with a wry smile. “I think we should definitely not keep all our Sheridans in one basket.” She added, “It will take a week or two to set up safe transport.”
“How about Geneva? That's where I wanted to go all along. It's where I would be of the most use,” suggested Anna.
“That would be the most dangerous place of all for you,” protested Will.
Emily tilted her head to one side, considering the options “I don't know,” she said slowly. “It is a risk but if the real battle is about to start, maybe we need to hasten to identify potential danger spots. Anna can help with that. The hardest part of any rebellion is figuring out who's on your side. There are plenty of good folks left in our government, hidden in plain sight as it were. At least if we know the ones who've dealt with the Shadows, we can avoid them or even target them as warranted.”
“We can't ask Anna to do this,” repeated Will. “It's not her battle.”
“We can ask,” said Emily, keeping her eyes on Anna. “Or rather, she can offer. It's what she came for after all.”
“Yes,” said Anna. “It's what I came for. And it is my battle. Earth is my home. I want to go. I want to help.”
Two days later came the news that the Sheridan farm was ablaze. Anna and David had been playing chess in the living room. Emily was out of the house, but Will was in his study working on next Sunday's sermon. There had been a knock at the door and a flurry of activity in the hallway, interspersed with the chiming of communications alerts all over the house. Anna had risen to go and find out what was happening, when she almost bumped into Will entering the room. His face was grim, but he nodded at her reassuringly as he pushed past her.
“Ambassador Sheridan?” Will said as he sat down in the chair Anna had vacated. Anna had come back and sat next to David, feeling the need to hover protectively over the older man.
“I'm afraid we have received some bad news,” began Will. At the sight of the blood leaving David's face paper-white, he hastened to add. “Your wife is fine. She is safe with friends in Minneapolis. She left yesterday apparently.” His eyes were warm with sympathy and his voice gentle. “I'm afraid the farm, your home, has been lost in a fire. Our people on the scene say there is nothing left to salvage.”
Anna had put one arm around her father-in-law, her emotions veering between concern and outrage. She had met John at the farm, visiting there with Lizzie one Thanksgiving long ago. The house was filled with memories for her, and it meant the world to John and his sister, much less his parents. It had been in their family for three generations. There wouldn't be a fourth, not now. An errant thought crossed her mind. With Lizzie and Daniel settled on Proxima and John's current situation, it wasn't likely there would have been another crop of Sheridans to take up residence in any case. Bringing her mind back to the current crisis, she asked Will to get David a glass of water, and took the opportunity to whisper, “It'll be all right. At least Miranda is safe,” to David.
The older man nodded but continued to grip her hand. He addressed the Rev. Dexter. “I'm glad you got that message to my wife. We've had a plan in place for months now, of where we'd go if the government got serious. She'll be safe with the Reynolds; they're old friends of ours, and of John's. They have their own resources if things get worse.”
Will's eyebrows raised but he merely nodded. “You're welcome to stay here of course, at least for the immediate future. We'll have to move you out as soon as we can; we have to assume they know you're in Chicago.”
“Yes,” replied David. “I made no secret of my appointment at the hospital. But if I can get out of town via your underground railroad that might be best.” He looked directly at Will, with a slight smile on his lips. “I suppose the rebellion has ways of moving people around?”
Will laughed out loud. “You've had us figured out for a while, haven't you?” he said, shaking his head.
“I had my suspicions when you were so friendly at the hospital. And John mentioned your name in one of his letters as someone we might be able to trust.” He patted Anna's hand. “Of course I had no idea you were going to be here. I've never been more pleasantly surprised in my life.”
Anna joined Will in laughter. “And we've been trying to protect you!” she protested.
“The diplomatic service prepares you for a certain level of intrigue,” replied David, almost smugly. His smile faded. “I would have preferred never to use these sort of skills again, but no one gets to choose the times they live through.”
“When Emily gets back we'll all sit down and plan out our next moves. She should have a timetable set up by then,” said Will. “Meanwhile I'll get back to that sermon. People will need some guidance the next few weeks, I'm thinking.”
David and Anna sat in silence, watching him leave.
***************************
It was more than a week later before they were due to leave; Anna for Geneva, David for another unnamed safe house. To Anna's surprise, she had received a message from the Rangers through their loose alliance with the Earth underground rebellion. They had offered to set up a message relay for her to stay in touch with the Babylon station. The means of communication would be hand-written letters, unaddressed and unsigned, with a drop off in Geneva for her use. The old-fashioned methods had been found to be the most efficient at undermining the intense electronic and psychic scrutiny employed by the Clark administration. They warned her that pick-ups would not be regular and that any messages left unclaimed for a certain number of days would be destroyed. Still, she leapt at the chance to keep in touch with John and Delenn, even in this roundabout and irregular way. She found that she missed them both.
One night Emily called them both into the living room and set the large comscreen to ISN. “I think you should see this,” she said. “They sent a reporter out to do a report on Babylon 5.” At their skeptical faces, she added, “It's a case of know your enemy. It will undoubtedly be a hatchet job, if a subtle one, but better we know what they plan to say than be surprised by it later. Propaganda can be quite revealing. What they expect us to fear may reveal what they themselves fear.” She turned up the sound as the reporter's face filled the screen.
After it was over, Anna felt shell-shocked. “That wasn't what I would call subtle,” was all she could find to say. “Minbari war syndrome, my...” her voice trailed off as she turned to check how David had reacted.
David looked solemn, but remarked, “It wasn't that bad actually. They are certainly looking to blame the Minbari and the other aliens, which makes sense from a political viewpoint. A scapegoat is always required, and it's always easier to demonize those who are already viewed as evil-at least by a good proportion of the populace. John is still too popular to be thrown overboard. They'll try to subvert him by portraying him as weak or ill, or turn him to agree with their side. It won't work of course, but they will try.”
“That's why we have to protect you, Ambassador,” replied Emily. “His family is his weak point.” She examined Anna carefully. “Does that include you, Anna? Or is there some reason Captain Sheridan wouldn't be affected by your capture?”
Anna blushed. “I don't know, honestly. A part of him that would be affected by any innocent caught up in intrigue and used against him. But we are still working our way back from three years apart, and three years he thought I was dead.” She decided to leave the rest unspoken. David looked at her thoughtfully; not much got past the older man, especially not when it had to do with his son.
The part of the interview with John and Delenn together had skated around their relationship; hell, John had denied it outright. Still Anna could see the muscle jumping in his jaw, the tension in his hands and neck. Delenn also held herself stiffly, her eyes wary, as if she was preparing to ward off a blow. It tore at Anna's heart to see the two of them, sitting close together but carefully not touching each other. If only she was there; but then, she hadn't made anything better with her presence before. This was ridiculous. She'd run away from the awkwardness of the situation, feeling unwanted and unneeded. Anna decided that once she'd finished her job here on Earth, she'd return to Babylon Five and straighten out this mess. In the meantime, she made a vow to re-open the lines of communication between the three of them, making full use of the Ranger Express.
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