Three women in rags milled around in the darkness of the area Babylon 5 called "Down Below". One produced a large cast iron pot and another a small heating unit, while the third set out small bottles and jars on the dirty floor.
"Sisters," said the first. "We meet again."
"As promised," said the second.
"Shall we begin?" Chuckled the third.
All three women cackled.
"Did you get everything?" Asked the second woman.
"I had some trouble," the third woman replied. "This God-forsaken place has few animals, no cats, or bats, but lots of rats." A rat raced across the floor as if on cue. The third woman hurled a huge cleaver at it, striking it between the eyes and cutting it neatly in half. "So I improvised."
"That will have to do," the first woman said, staring in awe at the her sister and then at the rat.
"Do you have the recipe?" Asked the second woman.
"It's all up here," said the first, touching her index finger to her head.
"That's what I'm afraid of," said the third woman quietly as she nudged the second.
All three women cackled.
Thud, a hatch opened.
"What was that?" Asked the second woman.
"Sounds like someone is coming," said the third.
"Sounds like we need to disappear," said the first.
"Let's be off," said the third as she shoved their belongings under her cloak.
"I swear," said Zack Allen, Babylon Five Security Officer, as he rounded the corner into the dimness, "I heard something, right here."
"There's nothing here now," said Security Chief Michael Garibaldi. "It must be your imagination, my friend."
"You're right, Chief, it must be my nerves."
"Your sister is arriving from Mars soon, isn't she?"
"Yes," Zack said, looking at his watch, "in about an hour."
"Assuming her transport isn't late."
Zack sighed, "It's taken her this long just to get off Mars, with the travel restrictions and all."
"Not to mention us breaking away from Earth."
Zack shook his head, "Adrian has always been different," he said. "When President Clark started, what she calls 'his reign of terror', she couldn't leave fast enough."
"I can understand that, but why come here? Why not go someplace nicer, safer, like Io or Europa?"
"She said she had something important to tell me."
"Umm, sounds ominous."
Zack nodded as the two men continued their routine search for vagrants and riffraff.
*********
The crowd at the entrance gate to Babylon Five was exceptionally large and rowdy today. Extra men had been assigned to the security detail as a result. Zack hoped he would not have to work, although Garibaldi had given him the rest of the day off to spend with his sister. Then out of the crowd a very well built woman, with shoulder length auburn hair appeared. She spotted Zack and waved. He waved back and pushed his way through the crowd toward her.
"Adrian," he said coming up to her, "you haven't changed a bit. I'd know those big green eyes anywhere. How are you doing, sis?"
"Great," she replied, "but, Zack, you've put on weight. I hardly recognized you. You must be doing well here."
Zack smiled. "Not bad," he said.
"Identicard, please," said Fredrickson, the Security Officer on gate duty.
"Oh," she said, as she handed him a thin plastic card. "We have so much to talk about, Zack."
"I hope you enjoy your stay on Babylon Five, Mrs. Collier." Said Fredrickson, as he handed the card back to her.
Zack frowned at his sister. "Collier?" He said with one eyebrow raised.
"It's not official yet, but, that's what I had to tell you. I've met someone and we're getting married."
Zack was in shock, this was his little sister, somehow he still thought of her as a child. He sighed to himself. "You have to tell me all about him," he said, "but first let me take you to our quarters. I hope you don't mind sleeping on my couch?"
"Of course not," she said.
"Good, my place is the best one the station had available."
"Lots of people coming in?"
Zack looked around the lobby and nodded. "Mostly refugees," he said. "More are coming everyday."
On the way back to their quarters, Adrian told Zack that she was engaged to Kevin Collier. His father held a very powerful position in Earthgov. It was Kevin's idea for her to use his name while traveling.
Zack told her that Babylon Five had broken away from Earth a short time ago and that President Clark had declared the station off limits.
"That's precisely why I didn't argue about using Kevin's name," she said. "Father Collier is very powerful."
Zack frowned and said, "I thought you would have joined the Mars resistance, and all."
Adrian smiled. "That was a long time ago," she sighed.
Zack sighed and nodded sadly.
*********
The cargo bay had a soft bluish glow, a low fog hung on the floor. The three women in rags sat around the large cast iron pot.
"Fog," said the first woman, "a very nice touch."
"I thought it would add to the mood," said the second with a smile.
"Enough," said the third, "we must get started."
"The pot doesn't boil as yet," said the second.
"Turn up the heat," ordered the first.
"And risk detection?" Asked the third.
"No matter, do you have the Sacred Book?"
"It's here," said the third woman, holding out a tattered red leather bound book.
"Very well, let us begin."
"Double double, toil and trouble," they quoted in unison. "Fire burn,"
"Stop," said the second woman.
"Why?" Asked the first.
"Because it's not a fire, we have a heating unit."
"That's true," said the third, "she has a point."
"This won't work," said the first woman sternly, "if we don't use the right words. Just do it as it is written."
The second woman opened her mouth, but the first glared at her. She looked back with glazed frightened eyes and the third woman put her index finger to her lips.
"Let us begin again," said the first woman, firmly. The others nodded.
"Double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble. Round about the cauldron go, in the poison entrails throw."
The three women cackled.
Thud, an access hatch opened.
"By the pricking of my thumbs," said the third woman, "something wicked this way comes."
The trio sat quietly for a moment until Londo Mollari, the Centauri Ambassador and his assistant Vir Cotto rounded the corner into the cargo bay.
"Greetings ladies," Londo said in his heavily accented voice.
"All hail Macbeth," the women said.
"I beg your pardon ladies, but it's Londo Mollari."
"And Vir Cotto," chimed in Vir.
"All hail Macbeth and Banquo."
"I don't like this, Londo," said Vir.
"Oh, Vir," said Londo. "We all have to do things we don't like sometimes, am I not right Vir?"
Vir lowered his head and nodded.
"Now, ladies," said Londo, "you have something for me, do you not?"
"The spell is cast," stated the first woman, "take the potent to finish the task." She handed him a small vial with a purple liquid in it. Londo took it and handed the woman a slender pouch.
"Your generosity is legendary, sir," said the third woman.
Londo clicked his heals together and nodded slightly. "Good evening, ladies," he said.
"All hail Macbeth, thou shalt be king forever." The women said in unison. "All hail Banquo, thou shalt get kings though thou be none. All hail Macbeth and Banquo."
Londo and Vir left the area where the women sat.
"What are they talking about, Londo?" Vir asked, after a long moment of silence.
"They were quoting an ancient Earth playwright, Vir. You should ask Marcus about a play called 'Macbeth', I hear he is well versed in ancient theater."
"I will, next time I see him. Thank you, Londo."
Londo nodded.
"What was your business with those women anyway?" Asked Vir.
"You will find out all in good time," said Londo, "my friend. All in good time."
Vir nodded as the lift arrived and the door opened. He turned to look back to see if the women were behind him, he could swear he heard them cackling. But, no one was there.
***********
