REINCARNATION
by Daniel Stevens
DISCLAIMER: The more familiar characters in this story are property
of Renaissance Pictures, Universal/MCA, and Studios USA. The future portrayed in the
TV Series 'Babylon 5' and 'Crusade' is property of Babylonian Productions and
AOL-Time-Warner. The monster wave in this story is borrowed from the movie 'The
Perfect Storm', also property of AOL-Time-Warner. No copyright infringement is
intended.
SYNOPSIS: This is a rather different take on at least partially
correcting the mistake made in 'FIN Pt. 2'. Could be classified as 'semi-uber'.
=======================================================================================
PART ONE
Several weeks have passed since the legendary Warrior Princess Xena had died as she had
lived - in battle, dealing death to her foes. The Battling Bard Gabrielle, now with
a katana strapped to her back, and the chakram hanging from her hip, in addition to her
sais, is still making the sea journey home. Or more precisely, to Egypt.
Currently she is in her cabin, below the aft castle of the ship. The ship is
somewhere off India.
She wonders if her old flame Prince Kashta is still alive in Ethiopia, or failing that,
any of his relatives. Perhaps he had married again after all, and his heir now rules
Soba in his place. Well, in case any such heir does now rule, Gabrielle decides, it
would be best to leave the past buried in the past. She would only go to Soba if
asked.
The Bard now goes topside, to have another look. Most of the crew either treat her
with the utmost respect, or else avoid her, out of almost superstitious dread. The
sky is an uncommonly clear blue, the sea like a millpond. There is only a very
slight breeze to even partially break the muggy tropical heat. To the east, she sees
the slightest hint of clouds. Gabrielle goes up to the captain of the ship.
"Captain, is that what I think it is?", pointing to the eastern horizon.
The captain looks, shading his eyes from the sun to get a better view.
After a moment, "A typhoon? I'm afraid so."
"What chance of outrunning it?"
"Not in this calm, and we're too far from land to make port before it strikes
anyway." A moment later, "It would appear that our fate is in the hands of
Varuna now."
Varuna. Once, legend has it, the Indian version of Zeus, but now India's Poseidon
instead. And as merciless as always. This is 'not' good! Still, one has
to hope for the best.
'That's right, Gabrielle. Even now, we need to hope for the best, even as we
prepare for the worst.'
"I know, Xena."
With that word of encouragement from Xena's spirit, Gabrielle gets to work helping the
crew batten everything down before the typhoon strikes.
********************
Some hours later, the sky has gone from bright blue to dark gray, and the wind is picking
up. Gabrielle is up in the crow's nest, doing what she can to help guide the ship to
safety. She has tied herself into place with two lines of rope, lest she be blown
overboard, and into the increasingly rough seas.
She looks down, to see the captain trying to yell something up to her. However, she
is already unable to make out what he is trying to tell her, over the gale force winds
blowing through the rigging, and the waves crashing against the hull. Realizing that
she can do no more good up there, the Bard reluctantly climbs down.
"Yes, Captain?!"
"I was calling for you to come down! You nor anyone else can do us any more
good up there!" Both are yelling in order to be heard, even at close range.
Just as both are careful to tie themselves into place. And from the looks of
things, it's only going to get worse!
********************
Nightfall has brought even worse conditions. If Gabrielle had not seen Posiedon die
at Xena's hands three years ago, she'd think that he was pouring out his wrath on her
personally. It's all the crew can do to keep the ship afloat, much less make any
headway. The roar of the wind has become a banshee's shriek, and the waves are as
tall as the ship's main mast, while the rain is coming down in sheets the likes of which
the Bard had never seen before. Still, she's doing her part, making sure everything
is still secured to the deck, and below decks, as well.
Then, through the gloom and the rain, they see it! A monster wave, off to starboard,
far taller than the ship is long, and headed right for them. Gabrielle just barely
has time to remember the tsunami that hit a certain prison ship so long ago, flipping it
over. She and Xena had been aboard that ship due to Autolycus, and had almost died
then. Then, the wave hits! The last thing the Bard is aware of is the ship
capsizing, as the hull is ripped apart by the sheer force of the wave.
********************
Gabrielle comes to, and looks herself over. Once more, she is clad in all white, and
sitting on a pinnacle. Once more, Xena is with her, similarly clad. She turn
to Xena.
"I'm dead." Not a question. A statement of fact.
"Afraid so, Gabrielle."
After a moment, "At least we're together again."
"Gabrielle, we never were, and never will be, truly apart. As I told you once
before, even in death, I will *never* leave you."
"Nor I, you, Xena."
With that, the two friends and soulmates share a warm embrace, for the first time since
Japan. Then, Gabrielle speaks again.
"Xena, may the Fates grant that we *never* run into Akemi again!"
The Warrior, looking down into the eyes of the Bard, can see clearly that Gabrielle blames
Akemi solely and entirely for the whole mess.
"I know."
About that time, they look up, to see the angels coming for them again. Just as they
had before, so long before.
=====================================================================
PART TWO
Not to worry. Our soulmates would come back again many times, and always they would
find each other, and be together. As it had been, in fact, *long* before they had
been together in the Classical World *as* Xena and Gabrielle. For their story is
truly timeless and ageless. Let us now look in on one of their subsequent
incarnations, shall we?
********************
January 2266 (Earth Standard Calendar)
Aboard the Earth Alliance Star Destroyer *Hercules*, which is currently orbiting the
planet Mars, in the Captain's Ready Room. The Captain is sitting at her desk,
studying the personnel file of one of the new arrivals on board. A tall, powerfully
built woman, she has shoulder length hair the color of deep space itself, which is
currently back into a pigtail, as she is on duty. Her striking blue eyes are
completely focused on reading over the file on her terminal, as she takes a sip of her
herbal tea.
'This is a most interesting young woman. A fully trained physician, with a degree in
xenobiology from the old Psi Corps Academy in Geneva. Psi Corps rating P11. A
year's training on Minbar. All in all, someone definitely well worth having on
board, where we are going.'
The Captain suspends her terminal, and engages her comlink.
"Send Lieutenant Muir in, please."
She hears, "Yes, Ma'am.", from the link. Once more, she looks around her
Ready Room. The decor speaks volumes about her personality. Spare, even
Spartan, yet feminine.
A moment later, the requested person enters, marching up to the Captain's desk, coming to
attention, and saluting. As she returns the salute, the Captain quickly looks her
over. Average height. Quite slender, but obviously in excellent physical
shape. Short reddish-blonde hair. Greenish-gray eyes. A very youthful
appearance for such a record of accomplishment. Only her Psi Emblem and Ranger Pin
stand out on an otherwise flawless Earth Force uniform. Her military bearing is
equally flawless. And yet, she seems somehow familiar.
"At ease, Lieutenant. Please have a seat." Then, "Would
you like some tea?", as the Captain goes over to pour another cup from the tea
service she keeps on a side counter in her Ready Room.
"Yes, Ma'am, Captain..."
"Ryan. Xena Ryan. Here it is.", as the Captain resumes her seat,
giving the Lieutenant her tea.
"Thanks, Captain Ryan."
"You're welcome." Then, "I must say that I admire your
restraint."
"Captain, as I'm sure you well know, for me to scan you even for your name without
your consent would have been-"
"A serious violation of the new regulations for telepaths."
"And since strict adherence to those regs is the only thing preventing the creation
of a new Psi Corps, I'm not about to chance messing up in the least." A moment
later, "By the way, this tea is great!"
"Thanks, Lieutenant, but I do have one question. With a file like yours, you
could get any posting you want. Why an expedition that may be out on the Deep Range
for as long as two Standard Years, or longer?"
"Captain, my kid sister Lila may be happy staying on Mars, but I want to see what's
out there."
"That's all I needed to know. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Your primary
duties will be as our new Chief Medical Officer."
"Very good, Captain."
"One other thing. Our first stop will be a four day layover at Babylon 5.
Please feel free to call me 'Xena' while we're there, and off duty."
"Only if you call me 'Gabrielle', Captain."
"Agreed." Captain Ryan smiles warmly at the new Doctor.
"Dismissed."
Watching Lieutenant Gabrielle Muir depart her Ready Room, Captain Xena Ryan can't shake
the feeling of having seen her numerous times. The feeling that, somehow, they
belong together.
(*AND SO IT BEGINS...*)