Chapter 1
2260, Dorma 2.
It was chaos beyond chaos. The capital city in the eastern part of the Sentile region on Dorma 2 was under attack by it's own people, who were fighting amongst each other.
Mary Clarke had arrived on a run to drop off some trade goods for a local merchant when the bombing had started. Now her holds were rapidly being filled with another kind of cargo; young adults and children. Desperate parents were scrambling to get their children off the planet, or at least out of the area before the fighting claimed them.
"Find a spot and huddle down!" Mary barked. "If you can squeeze over a wee bit more, squeeze it because a bit more is one more that can come on, loves!"
A Dormain hurried up to her, wearing the frock of a religious worker.
"We're putting them every where we can but there's still more coming," he said.
"The buggers are getting too close for my liking," Mary said. "If we stay much longer I may not be able to take off without the ship getting damaged."
"I understand and may the Merciful Hadaia bless your soul to the Great Kingdom for rendering us aid in our time of need," he said.
"Save your blessings for my ship if we make it out of here in one piece, and a prayer for just that, will ya?"
"Of course," was the reply.
Then it was go time. Two data crystals, courtesy of a badly injured Ranger that had been brought on board only to leave at the last moment so he could, in his eyes, save three more children, were tucked away safely. Mary had sworn on her life to get the data crystals to the right people. As thanks, and knowing he would not survive the remainder of the night, he had given her his most prized possession, a Minbari Fighting Pike, or Denn'Bok, and his Ranger pin, which he asked be given back to Ranger One.
The ratio of children to adults was about three to one, all of them scared, some injured, and many crying for their parents. They were huddled together in groups, with blankets, coats, and cargo tarps covering them in an attempt to keep them warm.
"Okay, everyone, knuckle down, buckle down!" Mary yelled as she began the lift-off sequence that would get her ship, the North Star, off the ground, hopefully to hyperspace, and hopefully to a safe place.
They were nearly out of the planet's atmosphere when a passing missile was struck by the afterburn from the ship's engines.
When the resulting explosion occurred, the ship rocked, causing Mary to swear and a number of her passengers to cry and scream.
"Mary!" the Domarian priest cried out frantically.
"I know, I know! Find someone who knows something about engines and get them back there! I'll keep us going as best as I can!" Mary barked, sending out a broadcast that she was a rescue ship carrying civilians and not involved in the fight.
"That's if any of the daft buggers will listen," she muttered.
A moment later the priest reported back. "A young man says the explosion damaged one of the engines but not critically. He believes he can fix it."
"And the jump engines? Never mind, they're good," she said, glancing at her board. "Tell him to do what he can and any help is greatly valued."
They made the jump, but not before taking a few more hits from some fighters who apparently didn't want to believe her warning message. They didn't survive the encounter.
"Where are you going to take us?" the priest asked, watching as Mary set her course.
"Babylon 5. It's neutral territory and will give us a chance to catch our breath, maybe syphon some of them off so we're not as crowded," Mary said. "I've spoken to a few contacts and they've agreed to head for Babylon 5 as well, before heading to one of the Dorma 2 colonies. Hopefully we can get some help from the League while we're there."
"Understood. How long, do you figure, the trip?"
"About half a day. It's not going to be comfortable, but we'll get there, one way or another."
"May the Great and Merciful Hadaia bless and keep this ship and our divine souls," the priest prayed.
"Amen to that, brother, amen to that."
Eight hours later:
"Commander, jump gate activated, we have a ship coming in," Lieutenant Corwin reported.
"We're not expecting anyone," Commander Susan Ivanova said, heading for the main controls. "Ship identification?"
"The North Star, a heavy cargo ship , and it's broadcasting a distress signal," Corwin said, watching as the ship, some kind of battered cargo ship, came through the gate and headed for the station. "Signal coming through."
"Put it through," Ivanova said.
A moment later, a young human female appeared on the screen.
"Repeat, this is the North Star to Babylon 5. Do you read me, Babylon 5?"
"North Star, this is Babylon Control. We read you," Ivanova said. "What's the problem?"
"I'm coming in hot. My ship is in serious condition and I have nearly three hundred refuges from Dorma 2. Most of them are children and some are injured. I am requesting assistance and medical aid."
"Understood, North Star. I'll send you an escort and alert our medical staff. What's going on with Dorma 2? I thought they were peaceful."
"They were, until they got involved in a punch-up with each other. They've been involved in one bugger of a civil war as of late and started bombing each other something stupid. I'm trying to get these kids out of the way and to another safe haven until the fighting stops, if it ever does."
"Understood, North Star. Escort coming your way. See you in a short bit," Ivanova said. "Babylon Control out." She turned to Corwin and opened her mouth but he was already one step ahead of her.
"Medlab has been informed and they're on their way," he said. "I've also sent a couple of Starfuries to escort the North Star to the station."
"Good. I'll inform the captain and meet Garibaldi there. He's gonna love this."
Captain Sheridan's office:
"From Dorma 2?" Captain John Sheridan repeated, confused. "They're one of the more peaceful worlds near the Drazi."
"And the pilot of the North Star says they're engaged in civil war," Ivanova said.
Sheridan was in his office, along with Ambassador Delenn and G'Kar. Ivanova had called him to let him know about the situation and he was not happy.
"The North Star is supposed to be carrying nearly three hundred refuges, apparently most of them children," Ivanova continued. "She's asking for assistance and medical aid. The ship is shot up pretty bad."
"All right, I'm on my way. Let's hope the pilot has some more details."
"Excuse me, Commander?" Delenn spoke up.
"Yes, Ambassador?"
"By any chance is the pilot a young human female with hair darker than yours and an accent much like that of Ranger Marcus Cole?"
"Now that you mention it, yes, she did. Do you know her?" Ivanova asked.
"Perhaps. If she is who I think she is, then I would very much like to meet her."
"As would I," said G'Kar.
"Going to be quite the party," Ivanova said. "She's heading for Docking Bay Four." And Ivanova signed off.
On the way there, G'Kar explained.
"There have been rumors among my people of a human female with dark hair who pilots a ship called the North Star. Many have spoken of a large cargo ship that came to my world just before the Centauri bombarded it. The name was the North Star and the pilot is always described as a young human female with dark hair. She managed to save two hundred and fifty Narns, taking them to a neutral world. Since then, the North Star has continuously appeared, and rumors suggest she has managed to get nearly a thousand Narns to safety. I wish to meet her, to thank her."
Delenn smiled. "If it is who I believe it is, I believe you will find that she will tell you to take your thanks and give it to whatever gods you worship."
"You know the pilot?" Sheridan asked.
"I will not know for certain until I see her, but I suspect it is an old friend by the name of Mary Clarke." Her face took on a serious tone. "She may appear young, but do not let that fool you. She is much older and wiser than she suggests."
"How old is she?" Sheridan asked, curious.
"She has never said."
In Docking Bay Four sat a beaten, shot up freighter that looked like it had seen better days. Medical staff were off-loading frightened or injured Dorma 2 children and young males and females, and all looked worse for the wear. Many of them were carrying bags and the gathered command staff strongly suspected that what they had was all they had.
It was chaos, but an orderly chaos, and the human female that Ivanova had spoken to, was right in the middle of it, talking to Dr. Stephen Franklin, the chief medical officer for Babylon 5, while standing on a crate that kept her head above the crowds. However, unlike last time, she now had a rag pressed to her nose, which was dripping blood, but it didn't seem to be bothering her much.
"Mary Clarke!" Delenn called.
Her head snapped around and when she saw Delenn, her face lit up. She jumped down from the crate and quickly came over.
"Ambassador Delenn, as I live and breath, love!" Mary exclaimed before giving her an enthusiastic hug, which Delenn returned. "I haven't seen you in a donkey's year and here you are! You are looking absolutely cracking. I love the new look."
"It's good to see you too, Old Friend," Delenn replied, smiling. "This is Captain Sheridan, commander of Babylon 5, Commander Ivanova, first officer, Mr. Garibaldi, Chief of Security, and Citizen G'Kar of the Narn Regime."
"Welcome aboard, ma'am," Sheridan said, accepting her hand and shaking it firmly.
"Thank you for allowing me to come aboard, especially given that things have gone wonky back home," Mary said. She shook hands with Garbaldi and Ivanova before placing her fists on her chest and bowing respectfully to G'Kar. It was a gesture he repeated to her.
Mary Clarke was a small young woman, standing at about five feet three inches tall, with brown-black hair, dark blue eyes, and fair skin. She had her hair gathered in a twist at the back of her head and wore black pants, thick-soled boots, gloves, and a brown jacket that looked like it had seen better days. Even with a bloody nose her eyes were sparkling and alive with curiosity.
"It appears your nose has gotten you in to trouble again," Delenn commented, smiling mischievously.
Mary chuckled. "Had a run-in with a bulkhead. Those things are harder than they look."
"You should let our medical staff take a look at that," Sheridan said, while both Garibaldi and Ivanova winced.
"Meh, it'll heal," Mary said, taking a swipe at the rapidly drying blood.
"I know Babylon 5 is independent of Earth but what about the League? Is there anyone from Dorma 2 here that I can talk to about getting these wee ones to safety? My ship is big but not that big," Mary said.
"There is a representative here," Sheridan said. "I'll get in touch with him, bring him up to date, and see what we can do to help them."
"Good. Much appreciated. Delenn, love, you and I have some catching up to do, and Garibaldi?" Mary said.
"Yup?"
"Quit looking at my ship like that. I confess to being a smuggler, yes, but the only thing I carry is the good stuff."
"And what is the good stuff in your book, just so we're on the same page?" Garibaldi asked.
"People, mostly innocent victims, and anything that can save lives, like medical supplies or food," Mary said. "I don't carry weapons, except my personal ones, and I don't carry criminals, unless it's I'm taking them somewhere to stand trial for their crimes."
"I'll believe that when I see it," Garibaldi said.
Mary was about to say something when someone caught her eye; Ranger Marcus Cole, who was making his way through the crowds. Delenn noticed and called Marcus over.
"Marcus, this is Mary Clarke of the North Star. She just brought some refuges from Dorma 2, as they are currently engaged in civil war."
"A pleasure," Marcus said, dipping his head.
"Likewise," said Mary, eyeing the Ranger with a critical eye. Delenn could almost hear the gears turning in her head. Then she apparently came to a decision and smiled brightly. "Delenn, you and I have a lot of girl gab to catch up on, but in the mean time I need to look after my ship and take care of a few wee errands. If you'll excuse me?"
Sheridan nodded and Delenn dipped her head. After Mary left, G'Kar followed at a discrete distance. He smiled when he saw her ship and came back to the group.
"G'Kar?" Garibaldi asked.
"Merely confirming a theory," the Narn said, with a mysterious smile on his face.
Franklin joined them, a databoard in one hand.
"What's the status, Doc?" Garibaldi asked.
"Two hundred and eighty-four survivors. There were three that didn't make it because their injuries were beyond anything we could do, except make them comfortable, and there are about a dozen others we'll be watching," Franklin said. "They range in age from infant to early adult." He rubbed his face tiredly. "The ones who can talk are all saying the same thing; that the fighting started in the capital and that the North Star got as many of them as she could carry out of there, most of them put on by their parents."
"Never underestimate a parent's capacity for self-sacrifice for their children," Marcus said.
"Or an individual with a kind heart and a resolve of the strongest metal," Delenn said.
"I'll speak with the Dorma 2 representative, see what we can get started to help the survivors," Sheridan said. "I'm going to need as much information as possible and we're going to need temporary lodging for them until we can ship them out to a safe place."
"We've got our work cut out for us," Ivanova muttered. "Just another day on Babylon 5."