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Title: Center Of Things.Author: Rodlox.
Category: AH -- this is from Gok's list of What-Ifs...number 37."37: (Jan '02) Lyta wasn't recalled to Earth [or Sinclair didn't let her go] ... Morden recruits her for the Shadows. Might be a very different Lyta ... yet the basics would remain the same ... right? After all, if Morden can get Londo on his side ... maybe appealling to the part of Lyta that's pissed at Earthdome for trying to force her home? - if she didn't go to the vorlon, but was instead more pissed at corps, and hooked up with morden. [...] Lyta 'succumbs to the dark side'. [...] Unlike Londo, a break from Earthdome would mean she doesn't have any contacts outside the B5 station...[and she never had friends, right? Aside from Zack, later].[...]."
Time: Season 2, maybe 3.
Post at: The lists you're reading it on, and ONLY archive at Gok's!
Date Posted: Tuesday, July 15, 2003~~~~~~.
Londo opened the door to his ambassadorial quarters -- and found someone already sitting in the chair next to his couch. And it was not someone he remembered."Who are you, and who sent you?" he wanted to know as the door slid shut behind him. His day thus far had not been either good or pleasant.
"Mutual associates of ours," replied the woman.
'Associates'. "Where is Mr. Morden?" Londo asked cautiously.
"Use the same titles they do," she had been instructed. "Mr. Morden is presently occupied."
"And who are you?"
Lyta thought quick. A nice ambiguous name, one that could be first or last. "I am Alex." Alex-ander.
"Well, Ms. Alex," Londo said, "am I to assume that your associates and those of Mr. Morden are the same?"
"They are."
"Is that why you are here?"
"I am here, Ambassador, to see if there is anything you require."
"At the moment, no," Londo replied, thinking more about the upcoming vote in the Babylon Five council. He knew G'kar would encourage resistance to what the Centauri would propose. "Is that all?" Londo wanted to know.
Lyta spread her hands, palms up. "I am here at your service, Ambassador." She used, but did not mean the double meaning. "Whatever detail," putting her palms back on the armrests, "however small, however insignifigant you may think it..."
"I said there is nothing!" Londo repeated more vigorously. He didn't want to rely on Morden's associates for every detail of his life. He was a Centuari! Proud and valiant and virile!
Lyta nodded, standing up. "I see. Should you change your mind, I eat by the Zocolo." Lyta smiled a tiny smile. Information caught. "Good day, Ambassador," she said, heading for the door.
Londo waved her off. "Pah. Good day indeed."
~~~.
IT WAS LATER that Lyta stood, letting the crowds flow around her, as she watched the stairs with intense interest. Ambassador G'kar was coming this way. And right behind him was a Pak'ma'ra. Lyta narrowed her eyes, focusing, concentrating.It had to be done.
One step closer to the goal.
Lyta reached into the mind of the Pak'ma'ra and fiddled with the motor control. Specifically, the legs that were now tripping over themselves. Unfortunately, the section of the Pak'ma'ra brain which was dedicated to motor control was intertwined with the portion dedicated to thoughts of food.
Trip. Collide. Fall. Collide. Crash.
Not only did the Pak'ma'ra land on G'kar, but G'kar fell atop a Gaim. The top and bottom of them groaned and made various noises of pain; but G'kar bore it all with silence.
"sHhehssshe'ehip," was the Shadow phrase. Apt, Lyta felt.
But the image from the Pak'ma'ra mind lingered in hers, and Lyta bolted for the nearest restroom to lose her breakfast in.
~~~.
tbc.