The Mission To Mars Part 1
By Christina Jarrett			

	"You want me to what?" she screamed, jumping off the couch she was 
sitting on.  She looked back at the three people she was speaking to.  Two 
men, and one woman, all of whom she considered her friends.  

	"I want you, and Marcus to go to Mars, to gather information," 
Captain John Sheridan told her calmly.  He had known she wouldn’t appreciate 
this assignment much, but he had no one else to send in her place.  Lyta was 
a renegade telepath and would be captured, and Delenn was the only 
human/Minbari hybrid ever, and would immediately be recognized.

	"Captain, I get that part, it’s just the other part I don’t,"  Susan 
returned, sitting down again.  She looked over at the man with dark hair 
sitting beside her,  and thought to herself, 

	Delenn answered her this time with her soft accent, "You will be 
required to pose as newlyweds.  It is the only way that we can get you fake 
identicards."

	"I really don’t like the sound of this," she replied, thinking about 
everything this mission might entail. 

	"Well, I am sure we can send Dr. Franklin in your place,"  Delenn 
began, only to be cut short by the Ranger who had thus far remained silent. 

	"No, if you do that, I’ll retreat from this assignment, I’m sure I 
can convince Susan here to come along," he worriedly interjected taking her 
hand and holding up for emphasis. 

	This action was quickly ended when she just as suddenly as he had 
taken it, pulled her hand back and placed it on her lap.  "Marcus!" she 
hissed. 

	"We’ll leave you two to figure this out on your own," Sheridan told 
them standing up.  After aiding Delenn to her feet the pair left quickly, 
leaving the other two in Ivanova’s quarters to sort things out on their own. 

	"John, do you truly think that this is wise?  I doubt that they shall 
be able to make it through this mission without killing each other," his 
fiancee asked looking down, and then back up at him, worry wrinkling her 
face. 

	"Don’t worry so much.  I doubt that they’ll kill each other, knowing 
Marcus he’ll do everything in his power to protect her," he answered putting 
his hands on her slim shoulders. 

	"It is not Ivanova that I’m worried about, it’s Marcus.  I doubt that
 she shall do anything within her power to protect him," she replied calmly. 
 
	He looked at her for a moment, pausing briefly in contemplation.  
"Delenn, you may be able to recognize love in yourself, and in me, but your 
blind when it comes to spotting it in everyone else," he said shaking his 
head, and laughing out of amusement. 

	"You don’t mean?  I would have never guessed," she laughed as she 
turned and walked away, back to her quarters. 

	"Well Susan, it looks like we are stuck in this together.  Before we 
arrived here, Delenn told me that they had placed the mission requirements on
 our computers.  Apparently the access code is ‘Wolf,' have you any clue what 
that means?"  the British man asked her, curious as to the meaning of the 
unusual password. 

	"Yea, she’s been talking to Lyta," she replied a faint thread of 
sarcasm in her voice. 

	"Do you care to explain?" he asked following her as she walked 
towards her computer console.  She picked up a cup, which was half full of 
tea before she arrived and handed it to him. 

	"No, I don’t," came her sharp, quick reply.  She pulled out a chair 
from her desk and sat down, then she gently tapped the console.  "Damn, I 
can’t find it, "she whispered as she looked closer at the screen

	He placed a finger on the keyboard, and tapping her on the shoulder 
queried, "Mind if I give it a shot?" 

	"Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out later," she replied. 

	"No, Delenn said that it would be best if we reviewed the summary 
right away.  She said something like you’d need time to kill me before we 
left.  Something like that," he shook his head trying to remember. 

	"She didn’t?" she looked back at him.  He nodded his answer to her, 
"Damn, I hate to know what she meant by that.  We can find it now," was the 
only response she would offer him. 

	He tapped in a command, and stated, "Er’shul ka fenn."   She looked 
at him oddly, inquiring as to what he said.  "It’s Minbari Susan.  You’d know 
that had you let me teach it to you I just told the computer, in Minbari to 
access file Wolf," he whispered leaning into the screen, over her shoulder. 

	"It’s all in Minbari, what does it say?" she asked looking at the 
neat columns of the foreign writing that had appeared on her screen. 

	"You are not going to like this.  Go over to your com screen, she 
left a message.  It’s just an English translation of all of this.  I’ll be 
back once you are done."  With that he turned to leave the room, only to be 
stopped when she grabbed the end of coat in prevention. 

	"There is no way you getting out of this Marcus.  I don’t care if you
 know what it says, you are staying," she ordered standing up beside him. 

	She looked into his twilight colored eyes, and loosened her stance.  
His gaze bore straight down into her soul, and broke through all of her 
emotional barriers.   she thought.   
 she mentally scolded herself, knowing 
that no matter what she did, the feeling would still be there. 

	"Fine, I’ll stay, on one condition," he started.  "You must promise 
not to kill me, and as payment, you have to let me teach you Minbari, so we 
don’t have go through this again." 

	"Fine, come on," her heart accepted her fate willingly, but her mind 
was torn between the two options.  "Computer display message from Ambassador 
Delenn, password, Wolf." 

	Almost instantly, the face of the lady who had just recently left 
appeared on the screen.  "Susan, if you are watching this message it means 
that you must have accepted the mission.  Since I doubt you understand 
Minbari writing well enough to read what it was I had written, I have sent 
this message as means of you accessing a summary of the mission to the Mars 
colony," the message began. 

	She stood there, and intently watched the message, bent on finding 
out as many of the specifics about the assignment as she could.  "You are 
required to pack at least two weeks worth of clothing which would be suitable
 for the occasion.  Tonight at 18:00 hours you will be boarding a ship bound 
for the Proxima Colony, from there you will board a ship bound for Mars.  
Throughout this entire assignment you shall be required to carry on an ‘act.' 
 One which shall include Marcus, ……" Susan knew what would be coming. 

	At the end of the ten minute recorded mission she turned to face her 
partner.  He quickly backed up a step from where he was standing directly 
behind her, and stated, "You promised you wouldn’t." 

	She smiled at him, and watched as he returned it with a boyish grin.
   she told herself.   she silently envied the unknown but all too well known lady. 

	"Don’t worry Marcus, I’m not going to kill you.  Just be ready to go 
by 17:30, I’ll need to talk to you," once she finished that, she led him out 
of her quarters.  She knew she would be briefed by the Captain at least one 
more time before they left in two hour's time, and she wanted to get it over 
quickly, so she could pack. 

	He left her halfway down the corridor, off to go to his own quarters.
   his thoughts trailed off. 


	"Captain," she chimed for him to answer the door to his quarters.   
The door opened almost immediately, to reveal the fact he already had a 
visitor.  "Good day Delenn.  We reviewed your message, and will be ready to 
go at quarter to." 

	She sat down on a chair, opposite the couch the other pair sat upon. 
 Sheridan asked, "Susan, you do realize that their are a few things which you
 will be required to do.  You do accept?" 

	"Yes Captain," her voice was nothing short cold, and professional, 
while her heart was melting at the chance she was getting. 

	"Fine, just feel forewarned.  Even if you really don’t want to, if 
someone starts getting suspicious, and goes off snooping, you will be 
required to hold up the act, no matter what it means your doing," he told her
 in a commanding fashion. 

	"Yes sir.  I do accept this mission knowing full well what may be 
required of me."  Her stance was tense, her every muscle tight under the 
pressure of her commander's inspection.  "Captain, permission to be frank?" 

	"Granted Ivanova.  Stop it, your not an officer here, your a spy, do 
as you want." 

	"Why the HELL did you choose us for this stupid assignment?  I mean 
we are the most unlikely team on the station!"

	"We know that you work well together, and we needed Marcus’s 
attentiveness, and your latent telepathy is useful, you know if someone is 
lying to you, or trying to scan you.  Besides, we though you two deserved a 
vacation, even if you did have to work through most of it." 

	"Thank you." 

	"Dismissed, go away.  You have to pack, so do it," he excused her, 
his heavy laughter blending with the softer chuckles coming from Delenn. 

	As she left his quarters, she ran into her companion.  "Susan, so 
anything we need to know before we leave?"  he asked her pointing towards 
the door she had just emerged from. 

	"Yea, he wants us to pack," was the only response she could muster up.
   she asked herself.   an inner voice 
replied.  Aloud she then whispered under her breath, "You know your pretty 
lonely when you start asking yourself questions, and you actually reply." 


	She looked at the chronometer that was placed upon her desk.  17:29.  
  her thoughts were interrupted by the chime of her 
door.  "Open," she called out. 

	There he stood, carrying a medium sized suitcase, and a small carry 
on tote.  Behind him stood their friends, the crazy people who had decided 
to send them on this mission.  "You said we needed to talk," he said as she 
brought them all inside. 

	"Yes, are you ready for this?"  she asked, as they all sat down on 
the couch. 

	"No, how about you?" he replied leaning up against the armrest of the
 couch they sat upon.  She was in between him, and Delenn, Sheridan sat on a 
chair nearby. 

	"Hell no.  I mean what are the odds of us getting out of this alive?"
 she looked at Sheridan. 

	"About 60/40, for you.  You’ve had to go through worse, and you 
survived.  This shouldn’t be to hard for you," the man older replied. 

	"Well, get set.  Here are your identicards," Delenn said, handing 
over the two hard plastic rectangular cards.  "From now, till when you get 
back, you are Mr., and Mrs.Prue, now go, your ship leaves for Proxima in 
fifteen minutes." 

	As they all stood Sheridan whispered something into Cole’s ear.  He 
laughed, and nodded in reply, and turned to face the woman who for over two 
weeks was going to play his wife.  He stepped up to her, and gently brushed 
his lips across hers.  She stepped back quickly,  her thoughts were beginning to
 confuse her. 

	They boarded the ship on time, and were lead to their quarters for the
 three day trip to Proxima.  As they arrived, she slumped down onto the couch,
 and he sat down opposite her.  "This is going to be a long trip." 

End part 1



 
Part 2


	"What do we do now?" she asked him calmly.  She had spent the last 
three hours letting him teach her Minbari.  They had spent the majority of 
the time going over basic commands, and the grammatical structure of the 
strange language. 

	"Well that’s enough Minbari," he yawned looking at the time.  "Well 
it’s nine-thirty so if we wait any longer we’re going to miss dinner.  After 
that, I’m going to sleep." 

	"Yeah, I guess it is getting kind of late.  Let’s go," she stood up, 
and together they walked out the door.  They were both dressed in civilian 
clothing, she wore a soft violet dress which was cut low in the front, and 
flowed down to her ankles.  He wore a pair of black pants, and a striped 
shirt. 

	As they walked down the hallway they passed a bunch of the passengers,
 all seemed to be traveling in pairs, most away from the dinner hall.  The 
room they ate in was beautifully decorated, all the tables were lit with 
candles, and the overhead lights were dim.  Flowers were placed in elegant 
vases all over the place, and the atmosphere was made to be elegant, and 
romantic.  They sat down at a small table in the center of the room, and were 
soon joined by a shorter man with brush-cut brown hair, and merry brown eyes. 

	The men in the uniform greeted them, "Hello, Commander, Marcus."  
They looked at each other questioningly, and the man replied, "I’m ship’s 
captain.  My name is Rick Juan.  Delenn, and Captain Sheridan told you about 
me I’m sure." 

	They nodded remembering the message.  He was a Ranger, the one who 
was in charge of getting them to Mars safely, and making sure the ride back 
went equally smooth.  "Yes, we were informed of your presence on this mission.
I take it you will also be captaining the ship to Mars," Susan replied. 

	"No, I’m only the exec.  I should still be able to ensure safe 
passage, though," he replied, his voice gruff, and low. 

	"No doubt," Marcus told him.  The Rangers were trained well, and no 
one doubted their ability to see the spies through this mission. 

	"Odd.  I thought you two were supposed to be newlyweds.  I haven’t 
seen you two so much as smile at each other since you got on," he commented 
noticing their rather professional demeanor. 

	"We have yet to see any need to carry on our act," she told him, 
realizing the truth behind his statement. 

	The captain soon continued in the hushed tones they had been using 
all the through the meal, "That man sitting in the corner, the one wearing 
the blue coat.  He’s been watching you ever since you came on board.  While 
we were on Babylon 5 I looked him up.  He is one of President Clark’s aides, 
you really should pay a little more attention to who your are traveling with." 

	"I thought he was just one of the passengers," Susan stated slightly 
confused.   she complained to 
herself.  

	"This is a specialty ship, a space cruise if you wish.  It’s designed
 for people such as Mr., and Mrs. Prue, who are trying to get away.  Most of 
the people who come on are in pairs, and those who aren’t hang out around the
 casino’s and become part of one," Juno stated. 

	"So I guess it’s about time we start acting like everyone else," 
Marcus stated looking at the woman who sat across from him. 

	"Yea guess so.  Now let’s get something to eat," she agreed standing 
up and walking over to the rather large buffet that was set up along one wall. 

	It featured a great variety of foods, both human and alien.  She 
helped herself to a plate of salad, and a bowl of Chinese Wanton Soup.  He 
ate a salad, and picked up a few pieces of spicy chicken, and their friend 
ate a large variety of different pastas. 

	As they went to sit back down, Juno led them away.  "I came to you 
because, as captain of this vessel I get to pick one couple who get to dine 
with me.  You are going to join me at the main table.  You can’t refuse, I 
told the captain I would pick you guys, besides you make a cute couple," he 
laughed. 

	"They looked at each other, and shrugged.  The they were seated 
across from him, and just before introductions Susan whispered a question 
into her traveling companions ear.  "They let us keep our first names 
right?" He gave her a reassuring nod, and touched her hand which was resting 
on the table. 

	She looked at him once, but knew it was just an act, and dismissed 
the thought right away.  One fair headed lady near the captain asked in a 
confident, jovial voice, "So who are the lucky couple tonight?" 

	After Rick signaled for them to respond Marcus began, "I am Marcus 
Prue, and this is my wife, Susan." 

	"Where are you off to for your little getaway, or are you staying on 
board?" she continued, with a sly smile. 

	Susan responded this time, "Mars actually.  I’ve always wanted to 
visit the place.  I’ve had a lot of friends go there, and they tell me that 
establishment is beautiful.  Something about a place called the Harbor 
Gardens." 

	"Yes, I’ve been there.  The gardens are actually called Hearts 
Gardens, but there is a large painting of a harbor in there.  It’s so nice, 
and the way they have it under the lights, if you are ten or more feet away, 
you’d swear that they really did put a harbor in there somehow.  Hope you get 
to see it." 

	"Don’t worry, we will."  She looked over at her fake husband, and 
smiled.  *You shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping this up,* her thoughts 
came like a cat purring. 

	He looked back at her, his own thoughts wielding a tale of turmoil, 
*Why can’t I just tell her.  Doesn’t she realize that this isn’t really a 
charade for me.  Someday I’ll tell her.* 

	Rick Juno stood slightly, and held up his glass.  "As is tradition 
I have to make a toast.  To Mr., and Mrs. Prue, may you enjoy your honeymoon,
 and be blessed together." 

	Everyone raised their glass, and looked at them almost expectantly.  
They had to keep the act up.  They turned to face each other, and calmly 
kissed, both shivering at the feather light touch, then melting, and making 
it just slightly deeper. 

	She pulled herself back after a long moment, and smiled genuinely.  
They each took a drink, along with the rest of the people at the table, and 
smiled.  As the night progressed, they enjoyed a conversation filled with 
laughter, and merriment.  Some asked if they had a family planned, to which 
they responded, who knows, and with a shrug of the shoulders. 

	At the end of the meal they excused themselves, but only after 
promising them lunch if they remembered what time noon was at.  After leaving 
the dining hall, he took her hand, and they walked back to their room. 

	"Marcus?" she asked after giving his hand a gentle squeeze and then 
letting go of it to punch in the access code, and open the door. 

	"Yes, Susan?" he replied as they stepped inside the elegant room.  
She flopped down on the couch yawning, and looking at the time.  Nearly 
eleven o’clock, and they were both tired.

	"You enjoy dinner?" she inquired, yawning as he sat down beside her. 

	"Actually yes I did.  Nice people they employ on this thing," he 
laughed.  He took her hand and placed it in his own, and then brought it to 
his cheek.  Leaning forward, he whispered in her ear, "Above the window, 
there is a surveillance device.  Time  to keep on playing around." 

	She laughed as he kissed her cheek, and then slowly approached her 
mouth.  The kiss he laid there was soft, as if to see her reaction, then it 
deepened just a little.   her thoughts were left unfinished when 
he gently parted his lips, and then hers with his tongue.  They remained 
there for fifteen minutes, just holding onto one another, and kissing, more, 
and more passionately with each passing minute. 

	She pulled herself away, cautious, so as not to frighten him.  "Is 
something wrong," he asked, looking up at her. 

	"I’m tired, that’s all," she quietly told him, walking over to where 
she had put down her suitcase.  Reaching inside she pulled out something 
black, and left into the bathroom.  He could hear the water running in the 
shower, and silently wished her to finish,   By the end of his silent reprimand he had a tear streaming 
down his face. 

	She let the hot water run over her as her imagination ran rampant 
with her thoughts about him.   her Russian pessimism 
screamed around inside of her mind,   She 
stepped out of the shower, and dried herself off.  Slipping into her satin 
nightgown she stepped back out. 

	He drew in a sharp breath as he looked at the person in front of him.
  Her hair was we, parted in the middle, and depositing wet patches all over 
her clothing.  It hung down beside her head, most of it lying in front of her
 white shoulders.  The gown itself was a soft, satin material, it had thin 
straps up at her shoulder, and covered her down to her knees.  While it was 
tight at the top, the looseness, of the short, but flowing skirt was still 
breathtaking.   he told himself, knowing that he couldn’t last like 
this very long.  She walked towards the bedroom, and turned her back to him.  The gown had a very low back, and he could see a great deal of pale skin, where the fabric wasn’t present. 

	Turning she looked over at him.   she saw a thin wet line 
leading from his eye, down to his black beard,   
She walked over to where he was seated on the couch, and rung her long hair 
in her hands.  Placing it in front of her shoulder she asked, "Marcus, 
what’s wrong?" 

	"It’s nothing," he responded as she sat down beside him.  "Susan, 
you should go rest, I’ll take a shower and get to sleep soon." 

	His voice had betrayed him, and reaching out she found his hand, and 
gently reassured him.  "Listen if anything is wrong, you can tell me."  He 
looked at her, his eyes filled with a heartfelt sorrow, one she recognized in
 herself many times before.  "It’s her, isn’t it?" 

	"I don’t know who your talking about," he looked at her, his eyes now
 portraying his curiosity in her previous statement. 

	"You know, the one you told me about.  The one who’s waiting for you 
when this is all over.  I know that look in your eyes, you either are afraid 
about how she’ll feel if she finds out about this mission.." she was 
interrupted by him. 

	He gently touched her arm with his free hand, and stated," She 
already knows.  She knows everything that has happen so far on this trip." 

	"Let me finish, or  you told her how you feel, and she doesn’t feel 
the same way you do."

	"I don’t know how she feels about me,  just how I feel about her.  
She doesn’t mind the mission, or at least I don’t think she does.  Do you?" 

	Missing the hidden truth in his question she answered him, "I don’t, 
but I don’t see how that affects the two of you." 

	"Trust me, it really affects the two of us.  Now you go get some 
sleep, I’m not going to bother with a shower, so I’ll be with you in a 
moment." 

	"Fine," she stood up and walked away.   

	She felt him slip into the large bed a few minutes later, and 
unknowingly turned to face him.  "Susan," he told the seemingly sleeping form. 
His thoughts were too powerful to hear her murmured reply, and he professed 
there, in the black of the night, "Susan, I love you." 

	Her muttered reply came louder this time, "Yes, I love you too Marcus.  
Now good-night." Her eyes flew open in realization, and she sat up straight 
in the bed, with a suddenness that made him sit  too. 

	They looked at each other for a moment, and she whispered, "What 
about her, the one your waiting for?" 

	His response was equally quiet, and as he put his arms around her s
lender waist, he said, "I was hoping for a chance to tell her how I felt on 
this trip.  I thought you were asleep, and for once I wasn’t afraid to say 
it.  I guess my chance to tell  you the truth came sooner than I expected it 
too." 

	"I never expected it.  For a long time I have felt the same, but it 
was always head battling heart.  One wanted one thing," she touched his cheek
gently, "and the other was weary.  I’ve been hurt so many times in the past,
I set up so many barriers, I didn’t want to have to face the pain again.  I 
too saw this trip as an opportunity, as a chance to let go.  I guess I was 
just too afraid to take it," this time it was she that was crying. 

	"Susan, I’ve known that this moment would arrive since the first day 
I met you.  I knew that you were someone special.  In the time since then, 
I’ve also come to another realization, you are the other half of my soul," 
he took the hand she had pulled back, and brought it once again to his cheek, 
only this time after a moment he turned his head, and deposited a soft kiss 
upon it. 

	"Wait," she called out, biting her lip, "I’m not, … I don’t think 
I’m ready.  We have a lot to talk about, first.  We can do it all later, for 
now let’s rest.   Maybe sleep will bring us answers.  We can talk in the 
morning, and who knows, we have another two and a half weeks together." 

	 With that she laid back down, and he laid down beside her.  With one 
final, tender kiss he pulled her in closely, holding her head against his 
neck.  Then tightly holding each other, they fell asleep.  Both dreaming of 
the morning, and the journey behind them, the one into each other’s hearts, 
and, and into their souls, and dreaming of the one in front of them, but not 
of the one to Mars, but rather the one of love. 

	


End part 2

    Source: geocities.com/area51/corridor/4875