Chapter 25: The Help Of A Telepath

The conversation was interrupted by the hiss of the conference room doors opening, though no one had requested entry. The three officers turned toward the entrance, hands instinctively moving toward their weapons, only to see a familiar figure in a long dark coat step through the doorway.

"Galen," Ivanova said, her voice carrying a mixture of relief and exasperation. "How did you get past station security?"

The technomage smiled with that infuriating calm that seemed to be standard issue for his kind. "I have a talent for being where people least expect me. It's one of my more endearing qualities."

"Endearing isn't the word I'd use," Garibaldi muttered. "And enough with the technomage mystique garbage. We've got real problems to deal with."

"Indeed we do," Galen said, moving to the table with fluid grace. "Which is why I'm here. I trust President Sheridan has briefed you on the situation?"

"The Drakh stronghold," Lochley said. "The location you discovered after the Excalibur's destruction."

"Among other things, yes." Galen's expression grew serious. "The facility is heavily fortified, protected by both conventional weapons and Shadow technology. A direct assault would be suicide, but a small, well-equipped team might be able to infiltrate the outer defenses."

"Define small," Ivanova said.

"The Titans, with a minimal crew. Myself, Mr. Garibaldi, and whoever else you deem essential. The ship's Vorlon modifications should protect us from the worst of their Shadow tech countermeasures."

Garibaldi leaned forward. "And once we're there? What's the plan?"

"We locate their research facilities, download everything they have on the plague, and extract whatever survivors we can find. Simple in concept, if not in execution."

"Sounds like a suicide mission to me," Lochley said.

"Perhaps," Galen admitted. "But it may be Earth's only hope. The Drakh won't wait forever to complete their work, and every day we delay brings your world closer to extinction."

Ivanova was about to respond when her comm unit chirped with an urgent message. She glanced at the display and felt her blood run cold.

"Captain," Commander Berensen's voice crackled through the speaker, tight with stress. "We have a problem. That device the saboteur planted—it's reactivated. It's locking us out of key systems, including the Vorlon interface."

"I'm on my way," Ivanova said, standing quickly. "Maintain security protocols and don't let anyone near the affected systems."

"There's more, Captain. The device is transmitting. We can't shut it down."

Galen's expression darkened. "Shadow technology. It's designed to activate when it detects certain energy signatures—like those produced by Vorlon systems."

"Can you stop it?" Ivanova asked.

"Not from here. I'd need to examine the device, understand its specific configuration."

Garibaldi stood as well. "I might be able to help with that. I know someone who specializes in this kind of problem. Someone with the right talents."

"Who?" Lochley asked.

"Lyta Alexander. She's still on the station, isn't she?"

Lochley nodded. "Last I heard, she was working with the telepaths in Down Below. But Michael, are you sure about this? Her abilities since the Vorlon modifications..."

"Are exactly what we need," Garibaldi finished. "Trust me on this one."

Ivanova's comm unit chirped again. "Captain, the lockout is spreading. We're losing control of navigation and weapons systems."

"We need to move," Ivanova said, heading for the door. "If that device compromises the Titans, we won't have a ship to take to the Drakh stronghold."

"I'll contact Lyta," Garibaldi said, pulling out his own comm unit. "Meet us at the *Titans* as soon as you can."

As they rushed through the corridors of Babylon 5, Ivanova couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. The sabotage device had been more than just a tracking beacon—it was a weapon, designed to cripple her ship at the worst possible moment.

The question was: would they be able to stop it before it was too late?