（外文电子版资料）Babylon_5-Story-Space_Time_and_Incurable_Romatic.docVIP

Space, Time, and the Incurable Romantic by J. Michael Straczynski Summer 2000 Much to his own surprise, Marcus Cole breathed deeply. His first conscious thought was Im alive, followed closely by Why am I alive? Dim the lights, someone said. He tried a second time, and managed to keep his eyes open. He was in an operating theater -- of that much he was certain. Several people stood over him, and as he focused he recognized their distinctive bone-crests. Minbari. Two of them were dressed in physicians gowns, while the third wore the cloak and pin that identified him as a Ranger, same as Marcus, serving in the shadows, serving the Alliance. He struggled to recall how he had gotten here. He remembered learning that Commander Susan Ivanova, who had been mortally wounded before his eyes while they were serving on the White Star during the Earth Civil War, was dying. Against orders, he had rushed to her side at Babylon 5. There he had used an alien device designed to transfer life force between two individuals to bring her back from the edge -- by giving her his own life force. He did so even knowing the price he would pay. I love you, he had said. And there, in her arms, he had died. So where, and WHY, the hell was he? He struggled to sit up, but his arms shuddered and collapsed beneath him. Try not to move, the head Minbari physician said. My arms-- Atrophied. You havent used them in ... well, in a very long time. How long?Well begin rehabilitation at once, artificially stimulating them around the clock, and that should help get you back to normal soon, but -- HOW LONG? The physician hesitated, looked to the Ranger behind him. Tell him, Tranall, the other Minbari said. He has been trained as Anla-shok. He is a Ranger. He can bear the burden. The physician nodded and turned back to Marcus. You have been in cryonic suspension, he said. Commander Ivanova ordered your body frozen in case one day science might find a way to restore you to life. Presumptuous, I suppose, but