02 Welcome to Babylon 5

Sheridan tried relaxing in his room. His mind was still racing from the events of the past several days. All of the Night Watch people had been deported. The station just defeated a major Earth assault force with the assistance of the Minbari. He knew Delenn would never tell him what it had cost her to get those Black Stars to Babylon 5, but she had succeeded and now the station was secure. Still, he knew that Z'ha'dum was awakening.

While he did not have the numbers he hoped, Sheridan smiled at the support the member planets provided. It was their station as much as it was his. They wanted diplomatic relations, not subjugation to Earth. Just when he thought he might actually fall asleep, the com sounded. It was Ivanova. Why was his second in command still on duty?

Ivanova said, "John, you're not going to believe this. A raider ship just came out of hyperspace."

Sheridan exclaimed, "Didn't they get enough?"

Ivanova said, "The raider wasn't part of the assault force. John, it's the Wolf Pack Alpha Team. They're requesting asylum."

"What!"

Ivanova continued, "Their weapons are powered down and they are requesting asylum on Babylon 5. Colonel Mathers is claiming that President Clark issued an illegal order and they were forced to evacuate from Earth."

Sheridan had to think about it a moment. He knew the stories about the Wolf Pack. They were an elite grouping that accomplished the most impossible tasks. Their record was so impressive that many officers desired membership in the unit. Alpha Team was the oldest and most prestigious unit within the Wolf Pack. He knew that the common knowledge about their activities were only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. They did the dirty work of the Earth Force and were probably the most loyal unit in the military. How could he trust such a unit?

Sheridan finally said, "Give them permission to land, but I want Garibaldi there with a security detail. If they as much as flinch, neutralize them immediately."

"Yes sir," Ivanova said.

Sheridan raced down to Docking Bay 9. Garibaldi was exhausted but he was ready for a firefight. Garibaldi carefully emplaced his men throughout the bay.

Garibaldi said, "This is nuts. We shouldn't even have let them aboard."

Sheridan said, "They're claiming they were issued an illegal order."

Garibaldi said, "It's probably a trick."

"Greet new allies." Sheridan turned around in surprise. There stood the mysterious Vorlon Kosh who added, "Trust first, trust implicitly later."

Sheridan said, "Ambassador, this is unexpected."

Kosh said, "One mind can change the universe."

Sheridan sighed, "As usual, I don't know what you mean." He looked at the Vorlon. Why was he even there? Why did Kosh care about the new arrivals? Why was Kosh willing to vouch for a military team? Sheridan turned around and watched as Alpha Team exited the raider ship with their weapons secured and hands held behind their heads.

Garibaldi scoffed, "Jarheads."

Sheridan said, "Marines."

Kosh said, "Good." A garbled sound came from the encounter suit. Then Kosh said, "Military telepaths."

Garibaldi said, "There's no such thing as Human military telepaths." Still, he began reciting various nursery rhymes in his head just in case. The universe had gone crazy and Garibaldi decided to err on the side of caution.

"That's far enough," Sheridan ordered. "Why are you here?"

Fiona said, "I am Colonel Fiona Mathers, the Wolf Pack Alpha Team Leader. We respectfully request asylum on Babylon 5. We don't want any trouble. If you're not willing to grant it then we will go somewhere else."

Sheridan asked, "Why are you requesting asylum?"

Fiona replied, "President Clark ordered us to eliminate rebel targets on Proxima 3. Those targets allegedly had bases underneath several elementary and secondary schools. He ordered us to destroy those targets with school in session. President Clark wanted the rebels blamed and the insurrection curtailed."

Sheridan warily asked, "Are you a telepath?"

Fiona confidently said, "Yes. With the exception of my XO, we are all military telepaths. Project Wolf Pack integrated normal and telepath soldiers for overt and covert activities. We have contracts guaranteeing as part of our voluntary service the right to remain free telepaths after our terms of service. However, that guarantee is invalid if we act dishonorably such as violating orders. President Clark threatened to remand us to the Psi Corps if we refused his order. So we ran. The Centauri eliminated Bravo Team and the Athena eliminated Charlie Team. We're being hunted, Captain Sheridan. I can understand that as a reason you would refuse asylum."

Sheridan said, "If I allow this, you'll take orders from me; to hell with your rank. This isn't a free ride. We're going to depose Clark."

Fiona said, "I shall subordinate to your authority as station commander and military governor of Babylon 5."

Collins interjected, "Colonel this is nuts. It's one thing to run and hide to prevent prosecution at a sham court martial for disobeying an illegal order. It's totally different to overthrow the government!"

Fiona said, "I'm not interested in overthrowing the government. I don't want Clark to get away with murder." In an elevated tone she continued, "I have never harmed an innocent child!"

Someone cried, "Look out!" It was one of Garibaldi's men. Resultan had pulled his hands away from his head and the anxious security personnel began firing. Garibaldi immediately dragged Sheridan to cover.

Fiona shouted, "Don't return fire!"

Sheridan looked from behind the wall and his jaw dropped. Fiona was levitating in the air. Every PPG shot that the security personnel fired seemed to fizzle into nothingness. Was it her doing? Did Kosh intervene? He shouted, "Cease fire!"

Fiona said, "We could have killed you already if we wanted to, Captain Sheridan. A couple of us are mind shredders. I never worked for the Psi Corps but several of my men have. Lieutenant Anderson used to be a Psi Cop. We're a very powerful unit. Now you understand why our true nature is ultra-cosmic top secret. Even Psi Corps doesn't know about us. I know I'm asking a lot of you right now. Will you grant us asylum?"

Sheridan stood and finally said, "Asylum granted, provisionally. Don't give me a reason to throw you off this station. I want to know exactly what you all can do. Come with me."

Sheridan hoped he had made the right decision. Kosh was satisfied and left. Sheridan led the elite unit through the station to a briefing room. Ivanova looked extremely unsettled as she entered. The team was heavily armed yet no one made an effort to use any of the weapons. Was he making a mistake leading such a team through the station still armed?

Collins quietly said to Fiona, "You shouldn't tell him everything. Knowledge is power." He looked at Garibaldi and saw the security chief had heard.

Fiona said, "Listen to me, John. Once Clark figures out where we are, he's going to go public about us or send the Psi Corps after us. I'd rather they hear about our abilities from us first."

Garibaldi said, "That still doesn't mean we have to trust you. I don't like telepaths."

Sheridan said, "Michael, that's enough."

Sheridan was amazed when he listened to the various talents of the team members. They were comprised of mind shredders, remote viewers, and an empathic healer. There was also the matter of their team leader. She was by far the strongest member of the team with a wide array of talents. He had doubts. If Kosh had not vouched for the team…

"This goes over big at our Christmas parties," Fiona laughed. She pulled out a cigar from her pocket and flicked her finger. Sheridan watched as she produced a flame and lit the cigar. She continued, "Pyrokinesis. I can do a lot worse. I have done a lot worse."

Sheridan calmly said, "There will be no unauthorized scans."

Fiona said, "Then we must negotiate. I will not accept that as a carte blanche. If any of us are under threat of attack, we will scan our assailant. We will not, however, scan you or your staff without permission or your orders."

Garibaldi said, "That's totally unacceptable."

Sheridan turned to Fiona and said, "Only as a last resort."

"Agreed," said Fiona.

Sheridan said, "This isn't a free ride. I'll expect you all to work."

Fiona said, "Fine. We can assist with your security operations. I noticed you have many Narn security personnel. I've worked with the Narn. We can also assist with physical and tactical training if you like. Doctor Browning and Private Lee, would you object to working in the hospital?"

Browning said, "I'd be delighted."

Lee said, "Sure."

Sheridan could not believe he was actually going to put this elite team to work on his station. They had not expected a period of sitting things out indefinitely. They were ready to work and willing to submit to his authority. Was that the plan – to gain his trust and then attack? No, Kosh always did things for a purpose, even if that purpose remained unclear. The Vorlon had a way of saying things that made absolutely no sense but ultimately proved correct.

Sheridan saw to it that the team billeted in Red Sector. They were willing to share cramped accommodations, but he managed to limit it to two people per room. He felt uncomfortable about Fiona and Collins sharing a room, but apparently, they were accustomed to sharing limited space. He wondered if they were lovers. No, he thought. It was not any of his business.

In the morning, Sheridan watched the ISN report. The Wolf Pack teams were missing in action and feared dead. There was no indication of what mission they might have been lost on, but the news failed to provide any indication the teams had deserted. He wondered if he could really trust them. It felt too convenient. Over a quarter of a million people trusted him to do the right thing.

#B5#

Zack did not mind Garibaldi's directive to show Fiona around Brown Sector. He understood his ordinate's reluctance to be around telepaths. If the team had to participate on details in Down Below, they had to know the lay of the land. He carefully explained about the lurkers, the criminal element, as well as the ones stuck with nowhere else to go.

"It seems unfair," said Fiona.

"I know," said Zack. "Sometimes, the stories are downright tragic. This is where they end up and the predators prey upon the innocent."

Fiona observed, "You're avoiding side corridors."

Zack said, "Alright, I am. Some places down here even I don't like to go unless I have an entire detail with me. Even our men are targets. Come on."

From what he had observed of the team, Zack wondered if he was acting too overprotective. They were an elite group. Some people took to hiding as the two meandered through the corridors while others chose to stare directly. Zack had a bad feeling. Then he realized he had become lost. No, if he told Fiona then she would lose respect for him. Eventually, the corridors always came to a main hall.

Smoke. Zack looked for a fire alarm panel but felt faint. He clutched at the wall, struggling to remain conscious. He realized it was some type of knock out gas. He fell face forward and everything went blank.

When he awoke, Zack realized he was bound to a chair. The room was dark except for a small emergency light. His eyes adjusted. Where was he? Then he remembered he was with someone when he strayed off the beaten path. It was entirely his fault for trying to show off to the colonel.

Zack quietly called, "Colonel Mathers? Are you alright?"

"She's sleeping," said a male voice. "I wonder what I could get for her on the black market."

Zack said, "You're messing with the wrong people."

"False bravado," said the voice. "I hold all the cards."

"Aces and eights," said Zack.

The unknown male hit the back of Zack's head. What a stupid thing to say! At least he knew his captor was Human, understanding the Wild Bill Hickok reference. He briefly saw stars but then his vision cleared. He needed a dead man's hand.

"It's dangerous to hold him," said another male voice. "We should off him."

"Not yet," said the first male voice. "Tell me, Mister Allan, about your new friend. She's quite pretty, yes?"

Zack said, "She is Special Forces."

The first male voice said, "Interesting, yet we captured her so easily and you failed to rescue the damsel in distress."

Fiona weakly said, "Where the hell am I?"

"Ah, she's awake," said the first male voice. "You are my prisoner."

Zack asked, "Are you alright, Colonel?"

"Just peachy," said Fiona. "What does this man intend?"

Zack said, "He wants to sell you on the black market."

"Disgusting," said Fiona. "Well, it's been fun and all but I really must dash."

Zack said, "Easy, Colonel. They don't know what you know."

The first male voice said, "We don't deal in information."

"That's right," said the second male voice. "There's not much profit in that. What do you think we could get for her?"

The first male voice said, "Easily, ten thousand credits."

Fiona laughed, "Is that all? My, you don't have much confidence in your abilities. You also don't know who you're dealing with."

Zack said, "I'm sure reinforcements are on the way."

"Pfft," said Fiona. "I've already untied my ropes."

"What the –"

While Zack struggled to break free, he heard the telltale signs of a brawl. The lights suddenly turned on and it took a moment before his vision adjusted. He saw Fiona standing. The two men were unconscious. She said, "Sorry, I cheated. No hard feelings?"

Zack said, "Hell no. Would you mind?"

While it felt slightly humiliating, Zack had to accept the situation as it was. He felt denied a chivalrous deed. After all, Special Forces or not, he was the man and she the woman. Then he realized that was extremely antiquated thinking. Fiona pressed his com-link onto the back of his hand and started untying him.

Zack said, "If anyone asks, I rescued you."

Fiona said, "My team is coming. Ah, Mister Garibaldi is being stubborn. Do you have any idea where we are?"

Once his hands were free, Zack activated his com. "Garibaldi, this is Zack."

Garibaldi's voice roared, "Where the hell are you?"

"Somewhere in Brown Sector," said Zack. "Chief, we got two of 'em. I'm still tying ropes."

"I'm triangulating your signal," said Garibaldi. "Just hold tight – the cavalry's coming."

Finally free from the ropes, Zack started securing his prisoners and said, "I owe you, Chief."

"We do this my way," said Garibaldi.

"Not sure I copied that," said Zack.

Fiona said, "He's displeased with Lieutenant Anderson. It's all right; the telepathic signal is getting stronger. They're close."

As the room flooded with security staff and gropos, Zack said, "Very close."

Garibaldi smiled while he caught his breath and said, "Told you I'd find them."

Zack said nothing as he observed the colonel maintain direct eye contact with Collins. Garibaldi was too preoccupied with apprehending his prisoners to notice or care. He felt lost in thought until Collins finally spoke.

Collins said, "I can't believe someone got you with knock out gas."

"Embarrassing," said Fiona. "We must trust in our new friends to educate us in how the criminal element operates."

Garibaldi said, "No big deal – we know how to take care of things around here."

Zack stifled a laugh. He knew Garibaldi was a proud man. He looked at Fiona, who said nothing. He felt as if she wanted Garibaldi to take the credit for the rescue. He finally said, "Welcome to Brown Sector."

Garibaldi said, "Yup, Brown Sector – always come in with a squad or two because you're gonna need it against people so desperate they've nothing left to lose."