"Rumours." William muttered, as he raised a chunk of processed meal to his lips...all they could afford at the moment. "Rumours of chaos...rumours of rebirth. Interesting how that seems to work, isn't it?"
"I despise rumours...this is just plain ridiculous!" Jennie exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "Everyone's acting unsettled...it's been almost two weeks since I hired him and the rest, and Lyamn STILL doesn't want us to leave dock, says 'it's not ready, it's not right', I say "Rimwards" and everyone starts acting like we're going to certain death!!"
"Can you blame them?? Jen...after all that's happened to us, you know *damn* well what's out there...and I *know* you've been trying to ignore it, but you can't anymore. Acting like things are going to be the way they were before; before Nighthawk. But you can’t do that...I won’t *let* you do that.”
"I want to leave, Will! It's all this..."
"I can't. You know why."
"You're not making this easy on me, are you?"
"I'm sorry. But I'm not ready to go, even if *you* are."
Abruptly, the door tone sounded, and William frowned. "Strange...Walther's working down in the Zocalo for at least another hour...are you expecting anyone?"
"No...." Jennie whispered darkly, moving to the door. She opened it a fraction. "Who is it?"
"I think you know very well who I am, Miss 'Zandar'!" a familiar voice barked from the far side of the door.
"G'kael?!"
"Precisely. If you would be so kind as to let me in, we have a great deal to discuss!" Eyes now wide, Jennie stood, and the tall Narn, looking quite determined, pushed his way in, slamming the door behind. Critically, G'kael gazed around the quarters. "Things don't seem to be going very well for you at the moment, which is all for the good. Take a seat...NOW."
"How dare you..."
G'kael locked a flinty gaze on the outraged Jennifer. "Your assumption on what course you needed to take after meeting your companions at the Jovian transfer point was an incorrect one, Miss Clifford! You have acted on a mistaken belief in renewing a life you cannot possibly hope to recapture...AND, most importantly, you have neglected to think about the movements of your enemies! Do you honestly believe they have stopped in their efforts?"
"I...look!" Jennie dropped her gaze from G'kael's narrowed gaze. "I didn't want to think about it...I hoped that once we were able to make it here, everything would be all right...that everything would change. I guess I might have been wrong in thinking that..."
"Certain *individuals* have expressed their displeasure at having to directly act in your benefit, even though they found it necessary at the time. You should not have left yourself so open to attack!..we *cannot* afford to lose you this early in the struggle...and in such a manner!"
"Oh really!...and just *how* DID Randar know where I was, so easily? I'm having enough problems as it is without family ghosts coming back to haunt me!"
G'kael nodded grimly. "That is understandable, and unfortunately, we do not know how Alias Randar came by his information...yet. However, I cannot allow you to make further mistakes of this nature. Think on this, and learn." G'kael turned his gaze to William at that point.
"Mister Westcastle! I note that you do not seem surprised at the things I have said. Perhaps it is that there is something...stopping you from conviently forgetting what is to come, as was the case with your companion, here?"
"You have no idea...neither of you do."
"Would you care to explain that comment, Westcastle??"
"Do you want me to put it simply? It feels like someone...or worse, it might be several someones...left chunks of memory in my mind. It started back on the ATLANTA, after the Shadow attack...but just lately, it's been getting worse."
* * *
Sometime later, G'kael had regained control of his temper...which was for the best. Maybe, just maybe, he had managed to press the point in time. From the abashed look on Jennifer's face, it seemed that for now, he had succeeded.
Good enough. It pained him to be apart from his crew, away from the *N'blis*. But duties pressed, and the duties here were very nearly complete by the look of things.
But this! This was *not* a duty, however, and it was unexpected. It meant something...something important, but neither he, nor, it seemed, William, understood what was going on yet
"So. It sounds very much like you've been busy elsewhere...in other lives before this. Very rare...but by G'quan, it has been known to happen before. Also, it can be the mark of importance. You already know some of your destiny...perhaps the two are intertwined."
"That's a good answer, G'kael, perhaps *too* good. Okay, supposedly, I have to start 'stalking' the Shadows sometime soon, but if the only resources I have are memories of past lives, then I haven't got a chance!"
"Patience, my friend." G'kael smiled...now they were getting somewhere. "There are...shall we say, Orders that pass through the Galaxy, gathering information, doing what must be done to preserve the flow of history through the constant wrack of warfare. One such Order is currently aboard this station...if you hurry, and are polite, perhaps you can inquire of them an answer to your problem."
"This Order...do they have a name?"
"Of course. The *Technomages*."
There was a sudden shocked silence, and then, all of a sudden, the slam of the compartment door revealed a harried looking Walther, who promptly became even more harried.
"G'kael?!??"
"Good day, Mister Gideon. So nice of you to drop in..." G'kael turned his gaze to Westcastle once again. "Think!...explore your memories carefully, Westcastle! We must know *exactly* how to explore, and if possible, solve this problem of yours before we approach those who can give you your answer!"
* * *
The next day.
"So!..." Elric intoned, throwing his dark gaze over the group of people below him, "You bring these simple humans before me, Narn? Your communication described an unusual situation, and an unusual talent. I see nothing unusual about these humans. Explain!!"
G'kael bowed. "Undoubtedly, we all have secrets, Master Technomage. But some have more secrets then most...and this man, William Westcastle, is one such, Master. Those who have gone before have touched him, left their mark upon him."
Elric frowned, and twin flames began to play in the air behind him. "Rare...but not unheard of. So, human!...you say you have been touched? How?"
Jennie listened, still a little chastened from G'kael's remarks the previous day... listened, and despite herself, became interested in what followed.
William gritted his teeth and began. "It seems that I have lived three lives, Master Technomage. One who has gone before.....fought...and died. One who has lived a life in a summer beneath Mars, the planet of Fire...and died terribly. And now, I live a life on the edge, threatened by darkness, threatened again by the deaths that haunt me. Beneath a great city of crystal, I watch the coming of War. Beneath a burning sky, I see the end of the innocence. What does it mean? What must I *DO* to make sense of these visions?"
Elric inclined one eyebrow, and paused, fingers steepled in thought. "Interesting... and unusual." The technomage turned to G'kael, and nodded. "You were right to bring them before me, Narn.”
"It is clear enough, Man of Earth, Man of War, that you are being warned, both by what has happened and what is to come. The lives you have lived, serve as warnings... warnings of disaster avoided, warnings of disaster met in challenge and bravery. You skirt...you *all* skirt on the edge of the coming Storm...the Storm that will envelop the Galaxy soon enough."
"So. These memories...these lives...are guides!"
"Perhaps. What has happened, *has* happened for a reason, Man of Earth. Mistakes were made: mistakes that you and your comrades must avoid if you are to survive what is to come. But also...you describe something found only in one place and on one world, throughout the known galaxy...it is clear you describe a city of the Minbari."
"What??" Jennie exclaimed.
"Clear enough, Watcher, what this means."
Jennie's mouth formed an O. "How do you..."
"Unimportant. But HE, and by connection, some if not all of YOU, have a connection to that world....and all too soon, you may be called upon in the greatest of needs to pilgrimage. It must be done...it cannot be argued with." Elric bowed, and prepared to turn away. "Go now. We must prepare...we ALL must prepare for the coming of the Storm."
Flames rose...and after the fireball vanished, the Technomage was gone.
* * *
Jan 28th, 2259. The Docking Bay, early morning.
"You're *what?* Lyamn exclaimed, his irritation plain. "You build the crew, have me repair the ship using your funds, and *now* you want me to HAVE the ship? Are you mad, girl??"
"No! But things have changed...again. All of a sudden, some friends helped me realize that I couldn't get my old life back...no matter how hard I tried, no matter how hard I want it. I have to move on,Lyamn...put this phase of my life behind me. TAKE THE SHIP, use it for its intended purpose, and be well, knowing that I will be. My friends and I...we have a different path then you do."
Lyamn shook his head regretfully. "But the promise!"
"The promise stands. But for now, there are two warriors, and more, I pray, to come, standing at my side ready to protect me from the forces of evil, friend. Do what what you can with her, Lyamn...this can only help to make up for what I did to you and the rest when I sold the CLARE."
The grizzled engineer threw up his hands, and smiled. "Peace!...very well. I will argue with you no more...we will go. But should you need us..."
"I will call. I swear."
* * *
Jan 29th...
"And there they go..." Walther muttered, as he and William stood almost alone in the Sanctuary, and watched the ship of the Technomages flee into the bronze maw of the jump gate. "Ahead of the storm."
William snorted. "Ahead of the darkness, ahead of the storm, leaving us to stand... to hold a line that G'kael seems to want to us to build. And now we've had a path chosen for us, where will it take us, I wonder??
* * *
"I tell you, G'kael!" G'kar exclaimed, as he and the Intelligence Operative sat down to meal. "They are out there!"
"Could it be so, G'kar, my friend?" G'kael responded, his interest keen. "Could it be so, indeed??"
* * *
Next: things begin coming to a head in Downbelow as tensions continues to rise...and a prophet of the 'Age' to come has arisen. G'kael, William and Jennie attempt to find a solution....in "Avatar Downbelow" the next part of DESTINY'S CALL!