The Dilgar War

by Lord of Misrule

It was the event that started it all. Thirty years before Babylon 5 the Dilgar race launched an Invasion of League space, a war which would cost Billions of lives, whole races destroyed and at the end give birth to a new super power The Earth Alliance

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 5

Gorash Star System

Centauri Space

October 2230

Patrol was a waste of time and effort. In fact not only was patrol in generally a waste of time and effort, but patrol of this particular system was a highly offensive waste of his time and effort, he could only conclude that at some point he had deeply insulted the gods to be left with such a dreary and ignoble assignment.

This particular system was part of the territory claimed by House Jaddo, one of the older and relatively influential political families in the great Centauri Republic, and as a loyal servant of the house Captain Andune would follow his orders to check up on the families territories, though inside he believed he was meant for better things. Unfortunately there was nothing better, Andune had been born in the wrong age and had missed the glory days of the Republic by a good few hundred years, although he would have settled for a commission just a few decades ago during the second great expansion which had led to contact with those triple damned Narns. He often dreamed of leading the expeditionary force to that planet and simply bombing it instead of setting up a colony and therefore sterilise the galaxy of its greatest plague. The remembrance of the long held dream made him smile.

Gorash was a blasted and empty world incapable of supporting life, a few domed colonies existed but it was mainly ignored, its only value as a location of raw materials for the House Jaddo fleet yards. Each of the great houses of the Centaurum maintained a respectable sized navy used mostly for securing their respective territories from outsiders, ostensibly raiders and aliens but more usually each other. While nowhere near as formidable as the centrally controlled Royal Navy the local house fleets were still a considerable threat to border worlds and each other, and with the sudden absence of an Emperor tensions were running higher than usual necessitating an increased presence from the different fleets, just to show they were ready to protect their territory.

"Our sensors show nothing Captain." Commander Kentan reported from his post. "Just like they showed nothing the last three times we scanned."

Andune gave him a nod, he appreciated the officers boredom and from the general atmosphere on the bridge could sense it was a common feeling. The Centauri fleets weren't meant for such dull duties, they should be duelling with Drazi raiders or playing a game of wits with the Dilgar, not guarding a system which nobody wanted to visit, let alone attack.

"We'll run one more sweep, then go home and report our duty done to Lord Jaddo."

The crew brightened up a little and recalibrated the sensors as the ship turned from the main planet and pointed its nose outwards to head on another leisurely journey between the different outposts on its circuit. His ship was a fairly powerful unit, the crescent winged Demos class attack ship which had become a familiar design since the Orieni war ended with a less than thunderous victory. The vessel was designed for high speed attacks and hunting with its sisters across the lines of battle, and every morning Andune would ask the pantheon of gods to grant him the chance to show the full potential of his ship and crew, he asked for war.

"Picking up hyperspace disturbances!" Officer Kentan said with mixed anxiety and glee, finally something was happening. "A jump point is opening!"

Andune bolted upright and scrambled to the sensor station. "There's nothing scheduled to come in system." He said. "What ship is it?"

"Can't get a reading yet." The sensor officer reported. "We'll have to wait until it clears the vortex."

A million possibilities went through his mind, could it be raiders, an alien power perhaps? Was it a cargo ship in distress? Maybe a freighter belonging to a League power which he could claim as plunder. Either way his twin hearts were racing at the notion of something actually happening out here.

"Great maker," the officer said in astonishment. "A Narn heavy cruiser!"

"Narns?" Andune was just as surprised. "Just the one?"

"Yes sir, one of those double hulled designs, moving slowly for the colony." Kentan enthused, referring to a T'Loth class heavy cruiser.

"Fantastic!" Andune grinned. "Charge cannons and ready torpedoes, set us up on a flank attack and tell House Jaddo local command we have a Narn attacker!"

The attack ship swung onto course and without even a warning or demand to surrender locked its weapons on the Narn cruiser. Captain Andune said a quick 'thank you' to the gods for this glorious opportunity to prove his prowess, and then opened fire. The ion and matter pulses hammered the port side hull of the Narn cruiser, sending black debris and puffs of atmosphere erupting into space. The Narn cruiser fired back with its plasma cannons but they had no chance of hitting a fast moving ship like the Demos at such range. Andune brought the destroyer tightly around and locked torpedoes on the Narn ships drive and power plant.

"This'll discourage the Narn from raiding our space!" he grinned widely, imagining the praise and laurels which waited for him. "Destroy them!"

The Centauri ship opened its bow doors and from them dropped a number of small spheres crammed with explosives, they flared into life and raced for the back of the Narn ship, its point defence guns failing miserably to intercept them, and in turn burned into the ships armoured hull, shredding engine connections and containment systems for the ships fusion reactor. Bright orange flames blossomed from the ruptured engines, the force of their escape acting like uncontrollable manoeuvring thrusters and shunting the vessel sideways as secondary explosions wracked the cruiser.

Andune watched with pride as the enemy ship folded in on itself and then ripped like paper, bending its structure and hurling sections of hull across space as its reactors detonated. It was a flawless victory, quick and painless for his ship and worthy of a promotion to a combat fleet, with a little luck.

"Inform base the enemy raider is destroyed, then hold position until reinforcements arrive to confirm our kill."

"Absolutely sir." Kentan replied enthusiastically, this was why he had joined the navy, to achieve a swift victory and progress in social standing based on the attached praise. "I'm glad we stayed for another pass."

"Devotion to duty is always rewarded Commander." Andune smiled. "And today proves that, well done crew, today we proved that we are still Lions."

Alaca Star system

Occupied by the Dilgar

"Now it is in motion, the wheel turns and soon it is our people who will be doing the conquering."

Warmaster Len'char nodded in agreement. "Indeed, you have come far and the time is right for you to take revenge."

The head of Imperial Intelligence was sitting comfortably on the main orbital Starbase created by the Dilgar navy as the local command facility, it was deemed setting up on the surface of the conquered planet was unnecessary and frankly distasteful. The Alacans below were slaves busily mining their own world to feed the Dilgar war machine, the leaders of that military saw no reason to rub shoulders with their workers or visit the dust filled and ravaged world, so they lived above in luxury. He offered his guest another drink, one which was accepted gladly.

"The Centauri destroyed the ship without any warning or attempt to communicate." Len'char said. "Exactly as you predicted."

His companion nodded his bald head, the lizardlike features and faded greying spots hardly noticeable in the dim light. "It was a sad sacrifice." The Narn said. "Our people will be remembered as martyrs like so many others, but it achieved its aim, it created a moment of Centauri aggression I can use to keep our people angry and ready for war."

G'Quonth'Tiel was one of the most powerful members of the Narn Regime, a famed resistance leader during the occupation and now one of the first circle of the Kha'ri G'Quonth was something of a hero, even legend to the Narns, and he would be listened to.

"How will you explain the ship entering Centauri territory?" the Dilgar asked.

"An accident, the ship was experiencing engine troubles and had to quickly enter space wherever it could, fate had it that it was in Centauri territory, unfortunately instead of offering help the Centauri mercilessly destroyed the damaged ship, killing all onboard."

"An excellent story." The Warmaster approved. "It'll whip your people into a frenzy of revenge, they will demand retribution."

"They will, but we must be cautious, we do not want a full scale war with the Centauri just yet, though we are ready." The Kha'ri representative emphasised. "No, but we do think the Centauri want a war even less than we do, and with their current leadership situation they will try and buy us off, giving us a star system or two to keep us quiet, which will satisfy me for now." He grinned and sipped more Dilgar brandy.

"You don't want to conquer the Centauri, subjugate them to your will?" Len'char frowned.

"What sort of question is that? Of course we do!" G'Quonth said loudly with a deep barrel laugh. "But we are a patient race my friend, we don't have the resources to launch a full scale war and probably won't have for many years yet to come. No, we will bide our time, slowly increase our holdings and build our strength until we have a fleet to make the stars dim in fear. Then, on that day, we will teach the Centauri the meaning of revenge."

Len'char shrugged. "So be it, though we are ourselves are not the most patient of races, we believe in settling our debts quickly."

"As we will all soon see!" the Narn laughed again. "You're an ambitious race, I give you that, but also very clever." His face turned serious. "Very clever indeed."

"We know our enemies." The Intelligence chief allowed. "Our campaign in the League will be swift, and when it is concluded we will be a power greater than the Centauri, and powerful allies to have."

"Oh, I agree with that." G'Quonth smiled and drained his glass. "The Kha'ri will formalise our non aggression pact as soon as I return, you can be assured your border is safe from us, in return for the border territories within Drazi space."

"My government hands them to you with gladness." Len'char said. "We've always respected Narns, you have spirit and vision, we look forward to a productive and mutually beneficial future."

"As do we, we will toast our future over the fires of conquest, and the settling of old debts." Once again the Narn laughed heartily, and Len'char sipped his cool drink in amusement.

Jha'dur had not forgotten Len'chars earlier failure, and even as he briefed his fellow Warmasters on the successful Narn treaty she regarded him with cold eyes. Despite the Supreme Warmasters strategic plan she still blamed him for letting the Abbai get a good look at the Balos assault force and so recognize the true strength of the Dilgar navy. Since then the Abbai and Drazi had instituted a massive build up of forces and contingencies which would make the opening campaigns a lot more difficult than they should be. His misjudgement would cost many lives, maybe even his own.

Assembled around a steel table the other leaders applauded him as he finished and sat down, with the Narn border safe and the Centauri consumed in their own agenda there was nothing now to interfere with the invasion.

"Warmasters of the Imperium." Gar'shan now stood and surveyed his subordinates. "The time of destiny is at hand. Each of you knows what is at stake, the great secret and curse of our race. Today we change that. Today we begin our great crusade to bring deliverance to our species. Today the new Dilgar Imperium begins."

Jha'dur clapped politely with the other Warmasters, but her mind was elsewhere. The Drazi fleet had grown greatly over the last year, and while a large force was guarding the Narn border most ships were ready to respond to an attack from Dilgar space. The latest reconnaissance showed major fleets at Latig and Fendimir with the main force deployed as a reserve in the home system. It was a force which could severely slow down the assault, and speed was certainly of the essence in this war. The Drazi were by far the biggest threat.

"You men and women will be leading our people," the Supreme Warmaster continued. "It is you who will shape our destiny, who will drive the will of the Dilgar like a blade into our enemies hearts! Each of you has earned this right through your skill, your dedication and your overwhelming desire to serve our race and see it survive and prosper. Now we will have that chance."

Jha'dur was also concerned about the Abbai, the peaceful race had recently built their first offensive warships, not really a match for the highly aggressive Dilgar fleets but well defended and probably to be used as mobile defence elements rather than fleet units. The Abbai had fortified a few key worlds, including their homeworld and its closest neighbour and the main colony at Utriel with an almost impregnable network of mines, satellites and even battlestations. Any assault on those planets would be mired in its own blood and there was little hope of surprise.

"Go now to your fleets." The great leader extolled. "Go and prepare, we will not meet again like this until we have achieved our primary objectives in the coming campaign, the seizure of forward bases for the continued progression of the war. You all know what is expected of you and your fleets. Go, and always remember, you are the Dilgar peoples last, best hope for survival."

The Warmasters stood, bowed, and then headed for the door.

"Warmaster Jha'dur, a moment if you please." Gar'shan said as she stood. Len'char gave her a cold glance, which she responded to with a wide grin. She was the favourite of the old leader and she made sure her would be rivals knew it, she was better than them and when Gar'shan passed they would take their orders from her.

The last officer left, closing the doors behind him and leaving the Supreme Warmaster and his student stood facing each other across the table. Two generations separated them, Gar'shan had fought long and hard to reach this position while Jha'dur had advanced with lightning speed thanks to her enormous talent and ruthless nature. They were in many ways opposites but had a unity of purpose and respect for each other, both knew they couldn't trust anyone else except each other and that bond was central to their working relationship.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked breaking the silence.

"More than anything." She replied confidently.

"This is total war, the attacks on Balos and Alaca were quick and painless, for us at least, but the coming battles will be bloody affairs. Tens of thousands of Dilgar will die, you will lose friends and confidants. You will lose ships and divisions. You will sometimes lose battles, can you be sure you will not lose hope?"

"We cannot afford to, we have less than five years remaining to our species." Jha'dur spoke gently, the constant fate hanging over them all had shaped her life and choices. "We cannot barter and bargain, we cannot always choose our battles, we must proceed and dominant our enemies through whatever means necessary."

"Good." He smiled, "You remember my teachings. What are the main principles of modern war?"

"Aggression, discipline, planning, adaptability, technology and money. If one is lacking or ignored we will be defeated."

"Correct, you will notice that most races in the galaxy display a few of these traits but each lacks something." Gar'shan explained. "The Drazi are fearsome warriors but their lack of discipline will be their undoing. The Abbai, advanced and stoic but not aggressive enough to drive us back, same for the Brakiri. The Narn and Centauri possess these abilities but do not exploit them fully, we are the only ones who have mastered all the tenets of modern war. Numbers are irrelevant, purpose is irrelevant, victory goes to those who master war, victory will go to us. Seek out weakness and exploit it in your enemies Jha'dur, and victory will be ours."

"Yes Master." She said. "I will not fail, I have never failed."

"I believe you." He grinned. "Your fleet is my silver bullet, you will go where the fighting is fiercest and remedy the situation using whatever means necessary."

"It is my honour to serve Warmaster." She said sincerely.

"Then go, your fleets are massing on the Drazi border. In two days we will take the measure of our enemies and drive them to ruin, for the future my good student."

"To the future, my great mentor." She saluted and with military precision marched out of the room leaving the Supreme Warmaster alone. He paused before following her, contemplating these last few hours of peace in the galaxy before the noise and chaos of war. This was one of those odd moments of total clarity when everything seemed absolutely perfect, he could see every single aspect of his future and the present, he perceived it like a great mechanism of cogs and gears which at this moment was synchronised to perfection. The warships and armies were poised, the enemy apparently oblivious to the attack. The Narn and Centauri were on a collision course and the League was its usual divided self. The Minbari were as silent as ever and the Humans were merely making uncomfortable noises about sentient rights.

The way ahead was completely clear, a long straight road stretching to the horizon with no visible obstacles on it. All they had to do was go forth and kill everything they saw around them, ten long years of planning and preparation had come to this one single moment of perfect vision. The galaxy would never be the same again.

Orion Colony,

Earth Alliance Space.

Private Garibaldi exhaled and laughed a little in relief as he felt some weight pressing back down on his feet. After the best part of a week in zero gravity the sudden return to normal was greatly appreciated, even if it was only on a station and not the planet itself. The shuttle had docked successfully with Red platoon on board and the whole unit had managed to file out in record time, more than eager to get back in a positive gravity environment. As the elevator from the central docking bay headed for the habitat ring the gravity returned gradually as centripedal force began to take effect, rising to Earth normal by the time it stopped and opened its doors.

"Halleluiah!" Private Tucker exclaimed. "I'd forgotten what it felt like to have my stomach settled!"

"The amount of chow you shovel down I'm surprised you couldn't feel it even in zero G." Private 'bugs' Malone observed.

"Save it until we get billeted boys." Lieutenant Sanchez advised. "You all got your hall passes?"

A series of affirmative answers met him as they stepped from the large cargo elevator and out onto the stations main corridor, a long plain set of walls stretching right around the station in a great circle. From outside the base looked like a simple hollow wheel with a central hub for shuttles and spokes leading to the main ring structure. It served as the local command post for military units while a similar but less well armed station orbited on the opposite side of the planet to handle civilian concerns. They were Spartan and cramped but a lot more comfortable than the troop ship. He dug in his pocket and retrieved his billet card, the hall pass as Sanchez had joked, which told him which room he was in and provided access.

"Alright people, go get settled in. See you all at seventeen hundred in the mess, the Captain has your specific assignment and departure times so don't be late." The Lieutenant stated, then headed off for his own quarters. The NCO's and regular troopers were assigned four to a room, while the Lieutenant and other junior officers were two to a room, apparently even the Battalion Majors were having to bunk together due to a lack of space, it seemed like half of Earth force had arrived in this otherwise quiet sector.

On the journey in the 99th had shared their transport with a Battalion of armoured cavalry also heading for Orion. Garibaldi and Bugs had been admiring rows of Thor tanks pinned down on the floors, walls and ceilings of the ships zero gravity cargo holds when one of the units Corporals had turned up and started a conversation over freeze dried ice cream, on odd powdered substance with an expiry date sometime after the sun exploded. The Corporal had confirmed thoughts about the deployment, he'd seen a whole armoured division load up before Garibaldi's unit arrived and heard from some buddies in another unit that at least four more divisions were being sent to other outer colonies. When Garibaldi mentioned the fleet of warships he'd seen over Mars the Corporal had agreed it was just more evidence and decided that there must be a Narn battlefleet on its way to invade Earth space.

While Garibaldi hadn't believed the last part he had believed that things were escalating. He had learned from a crewman on the transport that most frontier patrols were handled by police cutters and sometimes corvettes, almost never by cruisers and certainly not dreadnoughts and carrier battlegroups which the 99th was being deployed as security for. It had unnerved Garibaldi a little but he still held firm to the belief it was just a short term show of force, and that it'd be over soon.

He found his quarters and swiped the lock with his billet card, causing the door to clank open. He threw his kit on the nearest bed while Bugs, Tucker and Private Reiner followed him in and tried to make themselves at home.

"Don't get too comfortable," he warned, a virtual impossibility in these surroundings, "We'll probably be spaceborne again in a day or two."

"Oh. Joy." Stated Tucker with zero enthusiasm.

"Look at this way, at least you won't feel overweight in zero-G, just look it." Bugs prodded.

"Solid muscle this!" Tucker thumped his barrel sized torso. "Anyway, I'd be careful if I were you, wouldn't want to wake up outside the station would you?"

"Knock it off guys." Garibaldi sighed. "Try and get some sleep with normal gravity, it'll be the last for a while so enjoy it."

His fellow soldiers relaxed and dropped on their bunks, and with remarkable speed were asleep. Alfredo reached into his uniform pockets, the all resistant fabric of the clothing proof against all known biological agents, and found his most treasured possession. He took the photograph of his wife and child and pressed it up on the wall beside his bunk, taking a few moments in the dim light to savour the image.

"Good night." He whispered to them, then he too closed his eyes and in minutes was fast asleep.