Author's note: Truth be told, I wrote the first chapter a number of years ago. I found it when I was searching through my saved files and decided to post it to see if it caught any interest. The response has been surprising, not to mention the number of reviews I've gotten from others who were thinking of writing something similar. I do hope you enjoy what I'm going to do with it. That being said, below is the second chapter. I will be jumping around a bit, but there is a purpose in what I'm doing.

Before It's Too Late

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 2 : The Shadow War

Z'Ha'Dun filled the view window of Babylon 4. Valen stared helplessly at the planet below. He'd thought his knowledge of the future would aid him in this battle. Yet, it didn't seem to be. He knew the Minbari won the war. Helplessly he watched as sleek battle cruiser after battle cruiser fell to the devastating weapons of the vastly superior enemy.

Kosh glided up behind him. Valen knew it was the same Vorlon who, in a thousand years, would serve as ambassador on Babylon 5. He took some comfort from the glowing creature's presence. Kosh had been one of two with him when he'd first appeared giving him credence and acceptance from the Minbari. It had helped convince the warrior class they should attack the Shadow home world.

"You are not alone," Kosh's electronic humming voice informed him.

Valen turned to look at the other. The Vorlon was once again in his encounter suit. "They're dying." He wanted to hide his face. Briefly his fingers touched the bone crest now around his skull. That change took some getting used to.

With a practiced eye he watched the controls. They were very much like the ones in the CNC on B5. The one for the main bay lit up, telling him another ship was on its way to join the battle. Not far away one of the Shadow's allies fired and another Minbari ship exploded. He had to raise his arm to shield his eyes.

"Lights that gather in time." Kosh told him. "They come."

"Who comes?" One thing he'd learned about the Vorlons, they never gave a straight answer.

Shouting reached his ears over the com system, quickly turning to panicked cries as what he assumed were jump points focused all around the loosing fleet. "Oh, dear God," he breathed.

The first vessel to show itself rippled like glittered starlight. Valen frowned trying to remember where he'd seen such ships before. Bright flashes erupted as it fired its green tinged weapons. As more jumped in, they added their firepower.

"We're outnumbered." Valen could think of no other action except retreat. He moved to make the order, his blue robe whispering his movement.

Kosh's words caused him to pause. "You see but do not see."

Excitement filled him as he realized the new ships weren't firing on the Minbari war cruisers; rather, they attacked the spider like Shadow vessels and their various allies.

"Who are they?" He faced the Vorlon.

"They are old."

"Like you?"

"No. And yes."

"That doesn't make sense."

A bright red tinged flash filled the CNC. As the light faded Valen blinked recognizing the woman as she pulled back her hood. "How did you?"

"Hello, Jeff," she greeted. Dressed in all black, she strode forward and looked over the controls. "You can set this on self destruct, right?"

"Why would I want to do that?" Her comment puzzled her. B4 was the reason the Minbari won the war.

"You don't know everything." Her violet eyes took in the Vorlon. "Surprised to find you here."

"We attend to our own."

"As always." Her thin fingers flew over the buttons. "Later, if there's time, I'll explain." She brushed a bit of silver blonde hair out of her pale face. "Tell everyone else on this station it's time to go."

"But they need,"

"You've done your part. Now it's time for the station to do its."

The Vorlon glided to the door and through it.

"See, even Kosh knows when it's time to abandon ship." She smiled at him.

"The Minbari won't meet humans until a thousand years from now."

"Whatever makes you think I'm human?" She stepped back. "You've got about thirty minutes before B4 crashes right down into the middle of their city." The bright red light surrounded her again and she was gone.

Since he knew her in the future, he decided she'd told him the truth. He tapped the station wide intercom and ordered everyone off. Hurrying down the metal corridors to the docking area one vessel stood waiting for him. Before entering it, he said to the station, "Thank you. You've done your job well." The door closed and the ship launched.

The Minbari aboard marveled at his reverence, for the respect he'd shown the station. He could read it in their faces. Inwardly sighing, he wondered how much of his actions would become idolized after his death. Valen didn't think he honestly wanted to know beyond what little he had learned.

One of the warships took them aboard and he was taken to the bridge. The Alyt bowed to him and allowed Valen to watch as the station fell toward the planet. It glowed in the darkness a bright orange and yellow. Shadow ships followed trying to stop it. Their unknown allies forced the enemy down to the surface. None came back up.

The great citadels cracked and shattered as Babylon 4 pierced the heart of the Shadow capital. A blinding explosion followed casting rock, debris and who knew what else into the atmosphere. He shivered at the devastation.

'Z'Ha'Dum will sleep,' he heard Kosh's vibrating whisper in his mind.

'Until they're awakened again', a feminine soft voice reminded him.

'Who are you?' he dared to ask.

'We are old.'

'So Kosh said.'

'Not first ones though. You know us by another name.'

'What name?'

'I've said enough.'

'But,'

'Good bye, Jeff. Valen. You're destiny awaits.'

The ships that had aided them disappeared back through the way they came. He still couldn't place where he'd seen them before.

"Z'Ha'Dum is burning," one of the bridge officers reported.

All eyes traveled to the image. The atmosphere rolled and rocked as if it were alive and dying. Those who had sided with the Shadows fled. Some were chased by the Minbari, others escaped without being pursued.

"They'll come again," Valen informed them.

"And we will be ready." The Alyt sounded uncertain.

"We will yes." He faced them all. "We will have those who will serve us as our eyes and ears. They will know when the time arrives. When the Shadows return."

"What shall they be called great one?" a warrior dared to ask.

Valen already knew. He'd trained on Minbar and would again serve as Entil'Zha. "The Anla'shok."

References used here are both from the show and from the Babylon 5 book:

To Dream in the City of Sorrows.