From: tammyr@juno.com (Tammy J Rizzo) Subject: Bonds of Honor (1/?) Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 12:50:44 EST Greetings, fellow Babylonians! Presented today for your reading pleasure is the following lovingly-crafted piece, set after independance and while Dr. Franklin is on walkabout. Standard disclaimers apply: Everyone but the Bancurians (human and non) belong to WB and/or JMS, as does the station, it's environs, and everything else I need to cover. None of this is for financial gain or remuneration, but for the enjoyment of other fen. I won't raise a hoot or holler if something like this happens later on in the show. If I missed anything vital in this disclaimer, consider it also disclaimed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bonds of Honor (1/?) "Go away, kid. You bother me." Michael Garibaldi, Chief of Security on Babylon 5, leaned back in his seat and stared at the computer screen, trying to ignore the young woman standing by his desk. He had other things to worry about besides her dogging his heels. If only he could find them. Babylon 5 was a big place -- there had to be something going on somewhere that required his attention. He scanned the screen for a few more moments, then glanced over to the side. She was still there. She was pretty, with long dark hair and green eyes, set in a dark olive complexion that spoke of a distant Mediterranean background, though she was born and raised on Bancur, one of the Non-Aligned Worlds. But she was so young, only twenty-one. Nineteen in Earth years. Just a kid. "Haven't you done enough, yet?" Garibaldi asked. "You've already cleaned and polished the entire office and the cell block. Isn't your debt paid off by now?" "My honor-debt be paid when I do say," the young woman, Sarine Copistraal, said, offering Garibaldi a steaming mug. "Is that ...?" He sniffed deeply, inhaling the unmistakable aroma. "Coffee! Real coffee?" He sat up, took the mug and tasted the brew. "It _is_ real coffee. Where did you get it?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his mind. "Is Ivanova in on this with you?" Sarine just smiled and backed away to stand by the wall. Garibaldi leaned back again, mug in hand, and scowled at the computer screen. He was going to have to talk to Ivanova. This whole situation was ridiculous. Susan would no doubt find it very Russian and romantic, and would probably be thrilled to be involved in it. Besides, he knew of only one source for fresh, real coffee on the station, and that was her coffee plant. He took another sip and glanced over to where Sarine stood waiting. _This has gone far enough,_ Garibaldi thought. _I'm going to talk to Ivanova right now._ He stood up, downed half the coffee in one gulp, then put the mug down and headed for the door. Sarine started to follow, but he spun around. "You stay here," he said, then left, hoping she had obeyed. He heard the door close behind him and risked a look. She wasn't in the hall. With a deep sigh of relief, Garibaldi set off to C&C. # "Hey, Commander?" Garibaldi stuck his head through the open door into C&C. "You busy?" "Garibaldi, is there a problem?" Ivanova asked back. "Ah... yeah. Sort of. Got a minute?" He waited in the hall while she made sure she could be spared. When she came out into the hall with him, he led her several feet from the doorway, where they could talk in some privacy. "OK, Susan. Whatever I did, I'm sorry. Can you call her off? Please?" "What are you talking about?" Ivanova looked confused. "Call who off?" "Sarine Copistraal, that's who." Garibaldi watched Ivanova for a sign of recognition, but she showed none. "A Lurker. She claims I saved her life, and she has an honor debt to me," he continued. "Ah, yes," Ivanova said. "I remember now. She came to my office yesterday evening and spoke with me about that. She said that you stopped two large men with knives from assaulting her, and she wanted to do something nice for you, and did I have any ideas. I gave her some of my coffee for you." "She says I stopped an assault? I arrested her yesterday for picking pockets! She caused quite a ruckus, too, resisting arrest. She didn't fight, but she kept yelling and trying to pull free. I had to call for backup, she was such a handful." "So she lied about you saving her life?" Ivanova scowled. Garibaldi knew how she hated to be lied to. "I don't know about that." He considered the incident again. "The crowd felt pretty ugly when I nabbed her, but when the backup team came, the crowd disappeared real fast. There could have been someone after her, but a scene like that would have put an attack out of the question. Now it makes more sense. I swear I saw her picking pockets, and I thought she wasn't any good, to be seen that easy. But when we got her to Security, she was clean, and we had to let her go. She set me up to pull her out of a jam." "And now you have a problem with her?" Ivanova sounded intrigued. "What kind of problem?" "She's appointed herself my personal servant. She worked all night polishing the office. This morning, she brought me flowers and the newspaper. Just now, she made me coffee!" Garibaldi could feel a headache coming on. Ivanova smirked. "This is a problem?" "YES!" he yelled, and regretted it as Ivanova stiffened and dropped her grin. He lowered his tone of voice. "She won't go away! She says her debt isn't repaid until she says it is, no matter what I want." "She struck me as being a woman of strong will when we spoke yesterday. Personally, I would love to have someone to pick up after me and bring me things. I suggest you accept it, and enjoy it while it lasts, because I don't think you'll be able to talk her out of it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to C&C." Ivanova turned to go. "Susan, wait," Garibaldi reached for her arm and stopped her. "I'm sorry I snapped at you just now. I just don't know what to do about her, and it's giving me a headache. Thank you for the coffee, anyway." Ivanova smiled. "You're welcome, but I do have to get back to work. Talk to you later?" She turned away again, and disappeared into C&C. Garibaldi sighed, shook his head, and started back to his office. He was going to have to stop her himself. # Garibaldi slouched into his office, dropped into his chair, and stared at the covered tray that sat on his desk. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Sarine sitting across the room with his second in command, Zack Allen. They just smiled at him. He reached out and lifted the cover from the tray, revealing a large, steaming plate of linguine marinara, fresh rolls, and garlic butter. "Lunch," he muttered. "Of course." He returned the lid to the tray and sat back. "Zack," he began, "Could you excuse us? I have something to discuss with Ms. Copistraal." Zack jumped up and came over to the desk. "Sorry, Chief," he said in a hushed voice, "but before you say anything, there's something you should know." Zack leaned in even closer, and glanced back at Sarine. "She told me what's going on, with the coffee and lunch and all, and how you saved her honor and her life. She's afraid you won't let her repay you like she has to, and then she'll have to kill herself. That's their way, and it's real important to her!" "Are you serious?" Garibaldi whispered, stunned. "Yeah, and I even looked it up, too. She's telling the truth. You can't make her stop, Chief. That'd kill her." Zack straightened up from their impromptu conference, and said in a normal tone of voice, "Well, I guess I better get back to work. I heard from a contact of mine that some old NightWatch people were seen in Downbelow. I'm going down there to check it out." He checked his PPG, straightened his uniform, and strode out the door. Then he stuck his head back in. "Oh, and Chief?" he said. "Yeah?" Garibaldi asked, still mulling over what had been revealed. "Enjoy your lunch!" And Zack was gone. # "A YEAR?" Captain Sheridan bolted to his feet behind his desk. "A whole YEAR?" "Yes, Sir." Garibaldi paced back and forth in Captain Sheridan's office. "I just looked it up. She has to serve for a year to regain her honor, or suicide if she's rejected." "And there's no way out?" Sheridan asked. "What if you tricked her into saving your life? That could work, couldn't it? Balance the scale?" "I thought about that, too," Garibaldi paused by Sheridan's desk, "and I looked it up. Bodyguarding is just another duty; it doesn't shorten the time or cancel the debt." "That won't work, then." Sheridan sank back into his chair and stared at his desktop. "She _must_ suicide if she isn't allowed to serve her year?" "That's right, Captain. For any reason. I don't want that on my conscience." He started pacing again. "Of course you don't," Sheridan said, looking up. "Would you stop that?! Sit! Please!" Garibaldi stopped his back and forth, and perched on a corner of the desk, facing Sheridan. "Sorry, Captain. Thing is, even if Earth Force regs covered a situation like this one with Miss Copistraal, which they don't, Earth Force regs haven't really applied since we broke away. You and the War Council make the rules." "Now wait," Sheridan began. "I can't make it against the regs for her to serve out her debt. That wouldn't work, either, and you know it." "Yes, I do. That isn't what I was aiming for. I don't have much choice in this, and I'm gonna have to accept it and let her do what she has to. I know that. That's not the point." "Then what are you getting at?" Sheridan asked. "The point is, what about her? What would be her legal status? All the references I accessed say she has to live with me, and I'm responsible for her upkeep and finances. I figure that would make her a dependant, but there's nothing in any of the dependent forms for claiming a servant. And besides, you know how people can be. I know I can handle any ribbing that comes my way, but what about her? I mean, she's just a kid!" "You have a point. All right, I'll come up with something, get you an allowance for her, an ID. I'll have the Omsbud make her your ward. How's that?" "Pretty good," Garibaldi said, giving Sheridan a lopsided grin. "Better than protective custody." He stood up and headed for the door. "You'd put her in protective custody?" Sheridan asked. Garibaldi stopped and turned to face the captain. "No, sir. I'd go in, myself!" Then he left. # --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tammy Rizzo's Empty Threat List Empty Threat # 207: to strip on the spot and run around the mall yelling "I'm a leaf! I'm a leaf!" Empty Threat # 208: to strip on the spot and drag your sister-in-law around the mall yelling "SHE's a leaf!" From: tammyr@juno.com (Tammy J Rizzo) Subject: Bonds of Honor (2/?) Date: Mon, 20 Jan 1997 17:02:46 EST Greetings, fellow Babylonians! Presented today for your readingpleasure is the following lovingly-crafted piece, set after independanceand while Dr. Franklin is on walkabout.Standard disclaimers apply: Everyone but the Bancurians (humanand non) belong to WB and/or JMS, as does the station, it's environs,and everything else I need to cover. None of this is for financial gainor remuneration, but for the enjoyment of other fen. I won't raise ahoot or holler if something like this happens later on in the show. IfI missed anything vital in this disclaimer, consider it also disclaimed.------------------------------------------------------------------------Bonds of Honor (2/?) Sarine followed Michael Garibaldi, her new ahfa'Rhi, into his quarters, dropped her carrysak to the floor, and looked around her new home. The apparition hanging over his bed caught and held her eye. _That looks familiar,_ she thought, a small frown crossing her face as she tried to remember. _Where did I see --_ " -- can set up the cot over there." Ahfa turned toward her. "The divider . . . what's wrong?" "Doffieduk!" she exclaimed as the name came to her. "That's Doffieduk! I remember now. That old exhibit about the Firsters and their lost Earth culture." She realized that she'd been speaking in Bancurian, and stopped to change mental gears to English. "I be sorry, ahfa. English be still hard." He stood there, looking at her, a shocked surprise on his face. "You know Daffy Duck?" he asked. "Where'd you hear about Daffy?" His words kept crowding one another in her ears, and she still had to struggle to sift them enough to understand. "I did see a thing," she began, "when did go to . . . ah, history place? There be much display from first Earther ship, and one thing like this. It did move and speak. Cur-toon?" Ahfa grabbed her by the arm and pressed her down on the couch, excitement and delight evident in his face. "You just sit here for a bit," he said, and went to slip something into his video unit. Coming back, he sat by her. "This is my second-favorite thing in the universe! You want popcorn?" She smiled at him, perplexed, as he popped up and went puttering in the kitchen. _Can this really be the same man?_ she wondered. That morning, when he'd gone running off, she'd been so sure he'd rejected her debt that she had already formed the noose from her belt when Zack had stopped her. Then, when Garibaldi accepted and became her ahfa'Rhi, the one who holds her honor, he'd seemed wary and reluctant. She watched him now, whistling and bouncing back to the couch, just like a proud child showing off a favored toy, and wondered that a painting could make so much difference. "Popcorn!" he offered, and activated the video. Sarine tried a few pieces from the bowl, uncertain at first, as the screen came to life. The popcorn was rather pleasant, but she couldn't spare much attention for it since the cur-toon took most of her concentration. Within a few moments, she found herself laughing with ahfa at the antics of his Doffieduk, even if she couldn't understand all the words. # Sarine lay on her cot, listening to ahfa Michael breathe in his sleep. She ached for sleep, herself, but couldn't find it yet. Heaving a sigh, she turned over again, searching for a comfortable position. _What went wrong?_ she asked herself. _This isn't how things were supposed to be._ She pictured again how the meeting should have gone -- the joyous reunion with her brother, the welcome he would give her, his happiness that the family had forgiven him and would welcome him back. She'd rehearsed just what to say all the long trip out to Babylon 5, each word chosen to bring Harne back home. The reality was so very different. Harne didn't want to go back. He didn't even want to see her, his own sister. Human tears filled Sarine's eyes as the memory took her. "But Harne, I don't understand," she said, puzzled by her older brother's rejection. "You surely don't want to stay here, in this dump?" She looked around her at the squalor of his hiding hole, and shuddered. She'd heard about Downbelow during her search for Harne, but she'd had no idea of the reality of the place. "Won't you come home? Her family holds you blameless, you know. They won't hold you to the marriage contract now, not after what she did. You have lost no honor." Harne scrunched his furred features into a semblance of human anger, his facial stripes rippling over the clenched jaw. "How can you say that?" he growled. "I lost no honor? She wrenched it from me, and I did _nothing_! I can't ever go back." He turned away. "Just leave me, Sarine. Go back home. Tell them. . . ." He paused, and she could see him stiffen. "Tell them I'm dead. Their honor will remain unstained; the House will continue." "Harne, I can't do that! Please, come back home! I miss you. We all do." Her brother started walking away, but she went after him. "I'll beg," she said, dropping down to one knee. Harne whirled around. "NO!" he cried, "Not you, Sarine! You kneel to no one. How should I feel, that _you_ beg me? Would you take what honor I have left? GET UP!" Sarine stayed where she was, looking through unshed tears at her brother's face, so she saw what was coming. She didn't flinch at his full-handed slap, even though his talons were out, but the force of the blow knocked her over, releasing the tears she couldn't hold back anymore. She heard Harne run off, sobbing to himself, but she didn't rise to follow him. She would never find him again. He was dead: to her, to their family, but worst of all, to himself. She lay where she fell, crying, for some time, until rough hands on her body brought her back to her senses. Two filthy human males loomed over her, dressed in tattered and crusted rags. One reached for her, and she screamed. Sarine opened her eyes with a start, gasping for air. The dark room coalesced around her to the soothing sound of night breathing. _Ahfa Michael,_ she thought, reminding herself. _I must have dozed, after all._ Reassured, she closed her eyes once more and let the world fade away. #---------------------------------------------------------------------------Comments gleefully greeted with cries of joy and excessive bouncing and hand-clapping. Quite a sight, really :) Tammy Rizzo's Empty Threat List Empty Threat # 207: to strip on the spot and run around the mall naked, yelling "I'm a leaf! I'm a leaf!" Empty Threat # 208: to strip on the spot and drag your embarassed sister-in-law around the mall, yelling "SHE's a leaf! SHE's a leaf!"