"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Is one of many quotes, sharing the same meaning, simply put… Learn from the mistakes of others. However, during the darkest days of the Earth/Minbari War that misquote, had a whole new meaning as one Earth Force Officer was too find out as she would be thrown into the darkest chapter of Human History.
Babylon 5:
Between Darkness and the Light
Chapter One:
Triumphantly, the USS Lexington returned too Earth after destroying the Mimbari cruiser The Black Star, shortly afterwards Lieutenant Commander John Sheridan had been assigned a secret mission, a meeting with e Minbari Ranger named Lenonn. Joined Dr. Stephen Franklin on the covert mission to meet with Lenonn, the Minbari Ranger One. Centauri Ambassador Mollari became suspicious because Narn Ambassador G'Kar was acting as an intermediary. Fearing that the Narn were making a weapons deal with the Humans, the Centauri bombed the meeting site and destroyed the Narn ship that had brought them there. Lenonn was mortally wounded, but he was able to tell Sheridan a phrase that, when repeated to Delenn after his capture, caused the Minbari to release him.
Anger swelled in the young Lieutenant Commander, believing that his own government had planned the assignation, Sheridan began too delve deeper into the affairs of the Earth Force itself. Shortly after returning too his vessel, Sheridan became increasingly paranoid by the officers and crew surrounding him, finally, in one desperate act against a Minbari Heavy Cruiser, John Sheridan destroyed both ships, killing himself and his own crew in the process of ramming the large enemy cruiser containing the Grey Council after hunting it down for eight months. After destroying both the Enemy flagship and the Command vessel for the entire Minbari war machine, John Sheridan was considered by many too be a hero of the Earth Force, his name went down in history being the only officer too destroy two of the most important enemy vessels during the war. Six months later, with the loss of their leadership, the Minbari surrendered too Earth. After capturing several Minbari Cruisers and executing its crew, Earth began too experiment with Minbari technologies until they finally launched the largest and most powerful vessel ever designed by humans, the Excalibur. Over a mile long, the huge vessel was capable of forming its own Jump Point and launching over 100 Advanced Starfury class fighters, armed with the most sophisticated weapon systems known too exist, the vessel would be more then a match for any ship it would come against. Its mission: Too Hunt down and Destroy any remaining Minbari Starships which could pose a threat too Earth and secure Earth's future as the newly emerged dominant force in the galaxy.
Six months after the launch of the EAS Excalibur, she was joined by 50 vessels of identical design and capabilities with a further 150 planned or under construction making Earth Force the dominant Empire in the galaxy. Signing an Alliance with the Narn Regime, the only Empire too come too their aide during the Minbari war, Earth Force spread out it's dark hand across the galaxy and crushed any opposition with the large Narn Security Force working along side them eventually assimilating the Narn population into the large force as full partners in the newly formed Interstellar Alliance.
For ten years, the Interstellar Alliance expanded in all directions as more of their powerful Excalibur Class Command Cruisers left the production line manned by Humans and their Narn Allies as on each Starship, a large force of telepaths joined the vessel as full members of the crew. Commanding the Alliance Starship Agamemnon was a battle hardened officer and a veteran of the final assault on the Minbari Homeworld, Captain Jeffrey Sinclair. Known as a stern officer who demanded only the best from his crew, he had developed a reputation as one of the best officers in the ever growing fleet second only too the upcoming young star of the Alliance, his first officer, Commander Susan Ivanova; a beautiful and deadly young woman who was trained as a low level telepath by her mother, she was known as the best the Alliance had too offer.
Wearing the Standard Alliance uniform, a black uniform with a silver trim design, she entered the large bridge of the vessel slowly as she took her post at the first officer's console. Specifically redesigned for her own needs, each screen displayed ship, defensive and offensive displays along with the status of the large and formidable fleet of newly installed fighters in the flight bays. Inputting her access codes, she sat down in the comfortable seat behind her console as she looked up at her commanding officer and nodded as he spoke.
"ETA Target?"
"Two minutes, the fleet is in position and standing by for your orders sir" She replied slowly.
"Very good. Attention all hands, this is the Captain. All pilots to your fighters, we have all heard the rumours of this place… and you all know our orders. Undoubtedly, they have a welcome party waiting for us… lest show them what we're capable of. Agamemnon too the fleet, we're going too jump at the predetermined co-ordinates. All fighters ready too launch…"
"The fleet is responding sir" Ivanova smiled.
Finally, the command was given as Jump Points formed in low orbit of the planet and the large fleet of Alliance vessels exited hyperspace closely guarded by their fighter escort. Screaming towards the planet, the fighters strafed those launched from the surface while the waiting enemy Starships turned instantly on their axis and brought their weapons too bare on the Alliance fleet. Made up solely of upgraded former Earth Force vessels, the alien fleet fired on the ships with expert targeting.
"Status of the fleet?" Sinclair called out.
"As we expected Sir…"
"Very well commander, give the order" Sinclair laughed.
"Ohh no sir, the order is yours too give"
"Susan, it was your idea and your… mission. Give the order!"
"Thank you sir… This is Agamemnon XO too Beta Fleet… NOW!"
The almost overwhelmed old Starships turned quickly on their axis too face the enemy vessels as 100 jump points formed behind the fleet and the most powerful fleet assembled by Humans and Narns alike exited hyperspace with their main weapons firing at the enemy fleet catching them off guard, while the fighters entered the atmosphere of the planet and began too destroy any structure they could find until all that was left on the isolated world was a smouldering planet of rubble. High in orbit, the Excalibur Class fleet destroyed each of the enemy vessels with ease as the trap was sprung upon them before they joined the fleet of fighters and continued with bombardment from orbit of the ancient planet. For six hours, the large fleet fired upon the surface until all that remained was the magma under the crust and a new volcanic world was created from the once populated world below.
"Well, I think hat was a successful test Commander" Sinclair smiled.
"Yes sir, the upgrades performed… perfectly. We've lost only fifty ships and two hundred fighters…"
"Expectable losses XO. With simultaneous attacks from the remaining fleet, I believe we can call the Vorlons… extinct!"
"Yes sir. Add that too the long list… Centuari, Minbari, Dilgar… and a few others of course"
"Nice work Susan, you'll receive the highest award for this. You are ever closer towards your own command"
"Permission too speak freely sir?"
"Self expression, isn't your weaker point. In fact, I've come too expect it from you" Sinclair laughed.
"Yes sir, thank you sir. This will be my final mission here. I've excepted command of a ship of my own…" She smiled widely.
"Ohh?"
"Yes sir, the USS Sheridan"
"A fine ship, you'll make a fine captain. Congratulations… Captain"
"Thank you sir!"
Leaving behind a glowing ball of hot magma in their wake, the large fleet set course for the next target as Ivanova disembarked for Earth as for the first time, she took command of her own ship. The second generation Excalibur Class vessel named after a hero of earth, John Sheridan. Sleeker then it's older sister, the Sheridan held more fighters, boasted a more powerful engine, weapons and defensive capabilities The Sheridan was the most advanced vessel in the fleet and the prototype for a new generation of vessels. Fitted with an experimental energy boundary around the ship to protect the hull itself from weapons fire, the ship itself could hang in a fire fight longer then any ship yet build in the galaxy.
For six months, the newly launched USS Sheridan patrolled Alliance holdings and quelled talks of rebellion from within the Alliance, finally declared worthy of joining the fleet the Sheridan was dispatched too join the large fleet commanded by the Agamemnon.
Dropping out of Hyperspace before the large fleet, Ivanova sat in her seat as she smiled with pride in her new command. Gathered from the best and brightest around the Alliance, she had built up a reputation as a much feared commander and deadly opponent.
"Captain, the Agamemnon is hailing us"
"I see… put him on screen Miss Alexander"
Accessing her controls, Lyta Alexander the ship's communications and helm officer accessed her console as the smiling face of Jeffrey Sinclair appeared on the screen before the young Captain.
"Nice timing Susan. Impressive ship"
"She'll do…"
"Actually, glad you're here… we've just received word that a group of Vorlons escaped their Homeworld, they've been taking out ships…"
"I see…" Ivanova smiled. "Take care of it Captain Sinclair!"
"Excuse me?" He said with shock.
"Ohh, did you not get the memo? By the order of President Clarke, as of now… this vessel is too take command of the fleet as the new Flagship of the Interstellar Alliance. As her Commanding Officer, and General Ivanova! I am ordering you too investigate the claims. Have the Commanders of all ships report too me right away" She smiled darkly.
"WHAT?" Sinclair yelled.
"Please, keep your voice too a minimum level… those are MY orders CAPTAIN!"
Anger begun too build within the old warrior as he looked at his former first officer smiling from ear to ear on the screen before him.
"Yes GENERAL!" He grunted.
"Ohh, one more thing Captain, my communications officer has informed me that a file has been sent too y our vessel's computer, please have all officers listed on said file, report onboard this vessel for their new assignments immediately!"
"General?"
"That is not a request captain, that is an order… shortly after, you can go and investigate those claims of yours… Ivanova out!"
With the channel closed, Ivanova leaned backwards in her chair with a large smile on her face as she looked up at the large fleet before her. Laughing slightly, she spoke out loud for all too hear.
"That went well. Mister Williams, please assume command. Once the new crew is onboard, have them check in with their department heads…"
"And Lieutenant Winters?"
Standing from her seat, Ivanova rolled her shoulders slightly as she looked at her first officer with a smile before she replied.
"have her sent too my quarters the instant she is onboard"
"Yes Ma'am… right away ma'am" Williams nodded.
Straightening her back with a slight crack, Ivanova left the bridge with a large smile on her face as a young officer looked at the first officer with a questioning look.
"Lieutenant Winters sir?"
"Ensign Cartwright, if you are too survive under the General's command… you should know better then too keep your questions about her personal life too yourself. Am I clear?"
"Umm… yes, yes sir!" He said nervously.
"Very good, now that is aside… Winters, Talia Winters was a member of the former Psi-Corps before it was assimilated into the old Earth Force Military. They where assigned too the same ship under Captain Sinclair, shortly afterwards they became close friends and eventually lovers, it's no secret…"
"I see" He replied slowly.
"If you can imagine not seeing your partner for over six months and finally being able too chose them for an assignment, what would you do Mister Cartwright?" Williams smiled slightly.
"Have her brought onboard sir of course. Thank you for clearing that up sir… I should get back too work"
"That would make a nice change Ensign, and do yourself a favour? Winters is a Level 5 telepath… keep your thoughts too yourself and stay out of their way for awhile, the General can be very… dangerous when annoyed"
"Of course sir"
Slowly the new crew had begun too arrive onboard the large and powerful vessel as amongst the first too arrive was the general's telepathic lover and confidante, Lieutenant Talia Winters. After boarding the ship, she was immediately escorted too the General's quarters. After three hours of crew transfers via the small shuttlecraft, the USS Sheridan had the crew they where waiting for finally as the USS Agamemnon had begrudgingly been dispatched along with three other cruisers of similar design too locate the remaining Vorlon vessels which where rumoured too be in the area.
Lay in her lover's arms for the first time in six months, Ivanova took in a deep breath as she looked down at Talia with a smile as she lay with her head on her stomach looking up at her.
"I've missed you… General!"
"Ohh, cut the crap!" Susan laughed.
"Impressive at your age, being a General I mean. everyone expects a General too be old and haggard, not young and amazing beautiful"
"Stop, you'll have me blushing" she laughed.
"A good colour on you!"
"Officer on Duty too General Ivanova, please respond" A voice echoed over the ship intercom.
"Ohh, give me a break!" Susan laughed slightly. "What part of do not disturb do you not understand?"
"Sorry ma'am… I have no choice, we are receiving a gold channel message from Alliance command, it's General Bester Ma'am… He's demanding too speak with you right away"
"Damn it!" She yelled. "Patch it through down here…"
"Yes ma'am! Channel is locked on your system when you are ready Ma'am, once again… sorry too disturb you. Cartwright out!"
Moaning too herself, Susan slipped out of her bed and pulled a robe around her figure as she walked towards the large screen on the far wall, typing in her command codes, she pulled the robe around herself tighter as the dark, smiling face of General Alfred Bester appeared on screen. A former high ranking Psi-Corps official and considered by many as one of the most dangerous of the former Psi-Corps, now commander of the Alliance fleet.
"General Ivanova… a pleasure as always"
"Wish I could say the same Bester" She moaned.
"Ohh, very touchy today… perhaps you consider sleeping once in a awhile"
"Cut too the chase Bester, I'm not in the mood for your… games"
"Very well. Three days ago, the USS Churchill disappeared in the Epsilon Eridani Star system. Shortly before the vessel disappeared, it transmitted it's sensor data…"
"What kind of data Bester?" She grunted once more.
"The sensors on the Churchill are not a sophisticated as your own vessel Susan, it was an old Omega class destroyer left over from the…"
"I know what ship it was Bester… cut too the chase"
"As you wish… We want too know what the hell is going on in that system, you have the fastest ship and the largest fleet… I'm sending you too investigate the Epsilon System, specifically planet Epsilon III"
"Sir, that's almost four days at maximum burn" She protested.
"Then you had better set course General, these orders are none negotiable Susan…"
"Very well. Bridge, this is Ivanova. Set course for the Epsilon Star System, maximum burn. Order all remaining vessels too alter course best possible speed"
"Ma'am? Umm… yes ma'am. Epsilon Star System… maximum burn!" Cartwright called out over the intercom.
"Done! Now if you'll excuse me Bester… I'm a little busy" She smiled slightly.
"Yes, I understand Susan, good evening too you both. Bester out!"
Slowly, the largest and most powerful ship in the known galaxy turned as a large orange swirling vortex formed before them and the vessel leapt into Hyperspace quickly followed by it's large support fleet. Screaming ahead main fleet, it would take the Sheridan four days too reach the target planet, 24 hours faster then the swiftest support ship in the fleet.