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Hopeless, Shapeless, Dreamless, Nameless (1/10)
by Meredith Bronwen Mallory
mallorys-girl@cinci.rr.com
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Prologue: Mars- March, 2264

    Mars. She'd grown up on Mars. She knew it's tunnels like the back of her
hand, knew the little things that only a Martian can know. That's what was
going to save her now. The murky sewer water sloshed around her as she waded
knee deep in the filth. Her Ranger cloak dragged heavy in the water behind
her as she moved tirelessly on, the air getting thinner by the second. Down
the tunnel the noises of an approaching group could be heard. But beyond
that, on a telepathic level, there was something more.
<This way!> the leader, a loud mind-voice, cool and ruthless.
<Shoot to kill, people.> some one else, a black, spidery female psyche.
Erika Lynn Browning pressed herself to the wall behind a column, soothing
her mind, trying to blend in. In her hand, she clutched the data crystal. No
matter what, it had to get to Entil 'Za Delenn.
<Nothing, rock, mud, water... nothing.. rock, mud, water> she thought like a
mantra. The sloshing of her hunters through the water was heard, and she pressed
closer to the cool rock. <Nothing, rock, mud, water...nothing.>
<She must have gone this way!> a blood hound sent. Soon the group headed
down the other tunnel, and Erika stumbled out into the main sewer again.
Gasping for breath, she ran as fast as she could for the entrance that would
bring her back to the world above.

    She came out in a factory, dripping wet and coughing. The workers had
long since learned to ignore such things, and paid her no mind as she
stumbled down the long hallway and out into the street. Just as she reached
the mill of people, the sound of PPG fire directed her attention to the fact
that her pursuers where hot on her tail. Her internal alarms slammed on as
she felt the approach  of two more groups.
"Damn," she muttered aloud. There was only one other way. Moving towards a
towering office building, she heard one of the hounds indicate her. Erika
pushed past people and hurried up the steps. With any luck, there would be a
chopper up there. Her heart sank as she opened the door at the top. All that
met her keen brown eyes was an empty expanse of roof. "Triple damn."
<She's up there! Charge 'em up!> the cold voice boomed. Making a feeble
attempt at swallowing, Erika moved towards the edge and stood on the ledge,
the wind whipping around her. The hounds were there an instant later,
training their weapons on her.
<Erika, this isn't necessary> The spidery voice spoke. She knew to whom it
belonged. Her eyes rested coolly on the stunning blonde telepath that stood
next to the infamous Bester.
<She's right, you know> Bester added his two cents. <Join us, Erika>
<Like hell!> the Ranger sent back.
<You don't really have any other choice> the blond said.
<Get the hell out of my head>
<Join us>
<Never> And with that, Erika looked right into the cold eyes of the stunning
telepath and stepped off the ledge....

    Hours later, a hooded figure stepped out of the alley shadows and headed
for the Mars Hotel. She paid for her room quickly and retired immediately.
With out preamble, she shoved a crystal into the reader.
"Computer, access files on crystal," she ordered.
"Authorization code and identification needed," the computer said.
"Authorization code: Star-crash. Identification: Erika Lynn Browning."
"Downloading files, please wait."
"Where am I going?" Erika snorted as she unbundled her cloak to reveal the
black uniform of a Psi Cop.
"Unable to find that data," the computer replied. Erika snorted again and
shook her head at the computer. She changed into the uniform and the
finishing touch; a Psi Corps pin. She studied her reflection in the computer
screen until the monotone female voice interrupted her. "Files downloaded."
"Computer," she began fresh orders, "access files on Marcus Cole, and book a
shuttle flight for tomorrow morning."
"Destination?"
"Babylon Five."