Minbari Prototype vessel White Star
Hyperspace, Sector 800
September 23, 2260
2220 hrs
Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) was almost in bliss. He was practically a prisoner, being held in a small room filled with odd, slanted tables at regular intervals. There were four guards of a species he recognized only by their vague resemblance to Ambassador Delenn, and they watched him with perceptive, unwavering gazes. They were also comfortable with his method of speech, at least compared to the humans of this dimension. He asked them questions, and as long as they were about general topics, they answered. Still, Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) was happy. This "hyperspace" thing was incredible. He didn't know what it looked like outside, exactly, but he didn't really care, either. His mission was to find out what it was like from a Liir perspective, and that was exactly what he was doing. It was incredible to think that they were traveling hundreds, maybe even thousands, of light years with each passing minute.
Even more exciting than that, however, was the potential for hyperspace. The moment the ship had entered the sub-dimension, it was as if his eyes had finally been opened. He could sense everyone on board without even trying, and he even had to consciously keep himself from gleaning what they were all thinking. Not only that, but it was almost as if he could actually feel the space around the ship. It wasn't anything like normal space, where the only thing a telepath could feel was vacuum and any beings in close proximity. He could actually sense the forces at work in the strange realm. He decided that it must be all the gravitational forces that his guards had told him about, but they felt almost like the caress of waves back home in the living seas. It made him slightly homesick, but it was fascinating. He even made the delightful discovery that if he concentrated, he could tune out all the other life forms aboard the ship and pretend that he was swimming in the oceans back home. He was certain that the Black would be happy with the information he was gathering.
At the moment, the White Star was approaching another refuge of sentient minds. Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) figured that it was another ship, and they would be within sensor range in a few minutes, though he had been monitoring them for almost ten minutes now. It was amazing how far he could see into the void in hyperspace!
Minbari Prototype vessel White Star, Bridge
Meanwhile…
The Minbari design sense was certainly… different. Bester couldn't fathom why anyone would design a bridge with so much open space, and all the consoles so far away from each other. Still, it did have a certain aesthetic appeal, and everything appeared functional, and very advanced.
He was concerning himself with double tasks at the moment. First, he was keeping an open mind for the ship that they were hunting. The extended range that hyperspace granted to his abilities were certainly coming in handy, even though at the moment all he could sense out in the void was the White Star's inhabitants, including the strange being that had assaulted him earlier. He would bring Captain Sheridan to task on that soon enough, but it would be prudent to maintain that air of ignorance until the time was right. Information, after all, could be a most powerful bargaining chip. Of course, all of these thoughts and actions were second-nature to a Psi Cop, and Bester's conscious mind would quickly have become bored without something else to concentrate on.
To remedy that, Bester was keeping his conscious mind occupied with his second objective: learning about and observing the White Star. He was memorizing the layout, what controls seemed to do what, as well as the ship's capabilities. He wanted to know how efficient the inertial dampeners were, and therefore what kind of turning radius the ship could have. He kept a close eye on the displays at each station, as well. He couldn't read the Minbari language, but he had learned to discern their graphs and power curve information. If he could learn enough about the Minbari prototype, then there might be a chance of making a working analogue. Better yet, if he could discern any weaknesses in the design or abilities, then there might actually be a chance for the Psi Corps to successfully capture the ship intact. That would greatly improve Bester's chances of achieving his ambitions.
Naturally, this was all in the future. First he had to get these "Shadows" off of Earth and out of the Psi Corps. As long as they were pulling strings, all other plans had to be set aside. Surprisingly enough, Sheridan and his rogue space station were the ideal candidates for helping him with his fight against these aliens. Since Bester needed Sheridan far more than the Captain needed him at the moment, he would behave.
That doesn't mean I can't be obnoxious, however, Bester thought as he sat down in Sheridan's command chair.
As soon as the Captain noticed this, he casually walked up beside Bester and rested his arm on the rail beside the chair.
"Mr. Bester…" he said.
"Captain Sheridan…" Bester replied, using the same tone of voice.
Sheridan's charade of civility dropped into a mask of annoyance.
"Get the hell out of my chair!" the Captain ordered.
Bester casually stood up and walked away; pleased with the rise he had gotten out of the good captain. Then he paused as he felt the presence of a hundred or so beings floating in the void in front of them. In normal space he would never have felt them this far out, but in hyperspace…
He held up his hand, and when he was sure he had the Captain's attention, he quietly said, "They're here."
Independent Space Station Babylon 5
Epsilon Eridani System
September 23, 2260
2245 hrs
Delenn was not looking forward to this meeting. G'kar had done everything he had promised to do, and had saved the entire station through his intervention when Sheridan had seceded from Earth. Now, however, she would have to tell him the awful truth about the Shadows, the Grey Council's decision, and her silence when the Centauri bombed Narn. She would have to tell him everything. It would not be easy, but it had to be done if he was to become part of the new war council.
She knew, as Sheridan did, that G'kar could be a powerful ally. He was resourceful, willful, and had an unerring system of morals, when viewed from the proper disposition. He would do anything for his people, no matter what had to be done. He was a skilled warrior, as well as a shrewd diplomat. In fact, his only real fault was his quick temper, and that was what made this meeting so dangerous. If Delenn did not choose her words carefully, then it was entirely possible that G'kar would do her bodily harm in his momentary rage and just anguish. He may even kill her. Still, when she weighed the risks against the potential benefits, it was worth it. More than that, it was the right thing to do. That still didn't make it any less difficult or frightening, especially with Lennier gone with Sheridan on the White Star.
The door chime rang, and Delenn softly said, "Enter," knowing the computer would pick up her voice and acknowledge the command.
The door opened, and Delenn knew without turning that he had entered.
"Hello, G'kar…"
Minbari Prototype vessel White Star
Hyperspace, Sector 800
September 23, 2260
2250 hrs
"25 degrees to port. Lock weapons on the nearest escort and fire when ready," Sheridan ordered, watching the tactical display at the front of the bridge. There were six fighters escorting the transport carrying the weapons components Bester had described. Surprisingly enough, the shifty Psi Cop had been telling the truth. The fighter escort was entirely comprised of Shadow fighters, even though the transport was made by a younger race.
The nimble ship came about and fired on a nearby fighter. The ship burst into pieces as the advanced weapons systems aboard the White Star overloaded its meager energy dispersion capabilities. Then the Minbari ship adjusted course to aggressively pursue the next escort ship.
The battle did not last long. Any fire from the Shadow fighters that actually managed to hit the small warship was easily shrugged off and dealt with by the automatic repair systems. Then the White Star moved to intercept the transport ship as it made a futile attempt at escape.
Meanwhile, in the overflow crew quarters…
Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) was fighting a battle of his own. One of the Suul'ka's ships was in the vicinity! That would not be allowed to stand! The Liir was all too aware of what this enemy was capable of doing to his kind, and he knew the body count that was already on their unclean consciences.
Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) also knew that this particular alien ship was going to attack if it managed to get a clear shot without harming the other vessel out in the void. Why he didn't know or care, but he would not let it happen if he could help it. The young black swimmer hid his presence from the black monstrosity outside until it had come up next to the White Star and was almost in position to fire.
Then, with all the grace and power of a member of a telepathic species, backed by the enhanced telepathic strength of hyperspace, Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) assaulted the one mind aboard the alien ship. Whatever species it was a part of, it had little to no telepathic defenses, and the attacking Liir found his way into its consciousness with surprising ease. He swam in its mind, twisting and turning through dark thoughts and darker memories, learning the ship's orders, for the creature, in a sense, was the ship. He learned what the transport was carrying, and what the enemy's plans were for the unconscious humans aboard. More important than that, however, was why. The enemy was vulnerable to telepathic signals! Even now, Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) could feel the ship stalling in space, poised at the very moment of attack.
Thinking quickly, the young Liirian bodyguard used the creature's mind to access and shut down the ship's weapons systems. Then he gave it a savage push away from the White Star and withdrew from its mind, though he still kept a close mental eye on it, should it decide to turn around and try to engage anyway. Distantly, he was also aware of the human telepath onboard making his own clumsy, juvenile probes of the alien's mind, but Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) was uncertain as to how successful he was.
Docking Bay 15, Independent Space Station Babylon 5
Epsilon Eridani System
September 24, 2260
1123 hrs
Sheridan still couldn't get over how anyone could kill themselves in such a way, and from the look on Dr. Franklin's face, neither could he. The acid compound they had found all over the transport ship's command deck was messy, and made sure that little could be gleaned from the pilot's remains, but it couldn't have been a pleasant way to die. A PPG to the head would have been preferable for most sentients.
Still, it was what it was. Everything about this mission was coming up odd. Immediately after they arrived Sheridan had seen the Liirian observer, Briishiibi, disappear into the shadows behind some packing crates, no doubt on his way to make his report. Still, he had departed with no last words to any of the crew, no questions about whether or not the mission had been successful, nothing.
Then there was Bester. The Psi Cop was pacing like a caged animal all the way back. He had become sullen and determined, more so than John had ever seen him. He didn't speak to anybody except to ask how long it would be to get back to Babylon 5, and whenever anyone questioned him about it, he had claimed to merely be excited that the mission was successful. It was a blatant lie, and not of Bester's usual caliber.
The Captain was shaken out of his musings as Ivanova walked around a corner. Close behind her was the sound of rolling wheels, probably part of the cargo they had captured.
Sheridan asked, "Well, was Bester right? Were there weapons on board?"
"That depends on how you define 'weapons'," she replied.
She walked over to the large, tarp-covered object that was being wheeled behind her and pulled the covering part way off. Beneath it was something John Sheridan knew would haunt him for a long time to come.
Even more unnerving than the frozen human in the tube, however, was the logo proudly displayed in the corner of the glass.
"Psi Corps…," Sheridan said, aghast. "These are telepaths!"
Liir Ambassadorial Shuttle, Docking Bay 27, Independent Space Station Babylon 5
Epsilon Eridani System
September 24, 2260
1130 hrs
Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) finished cycling through the airlock and gratefully shed his landsuit. He was comfortable enough in it, as he had spent a great deal of time training in non-aquatic environments, but it was still confining, and no one enjoyed wearing them for extended periods of time.
Once he had finished removing the suit he went directly to the Blacks private onboard office. The shuttle was small, but as it was specially made for an ambassador it was unarmed, and the space normally dedicated to weapons and targeting computers was retasked as an office of sorts.
What song have you heard? The Black asked when Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) entered.
Elder, the bodyguard replied, I have seen many wonders this day. The hyperspace used by the peoples of this universe is amazing!
At this point the young Liir stopped speaking with words of any kind, and instead linked his mind with that of his superior and shared the experience of flying in hyperspace. The memories, sensations, and emotions wash over the Black as if they were his own.
Incredible! The Black said. Such a thing would be useful in tactical combat, and even as simply a therapy for Swimmers preparing to return to the Living Waters! You have done well, Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed).
The praise elated the younger Liir, and he rolled in a full circle in his excitement. Then he became serious once more.
There is more, Elder, he said. I have learned much about our new enemy. They fear all who speak with their minds, as we do, and their technology is susceptible to it as well. I believe we may have a great inborn advantage in the coming struggle.
The Black considered for a moment, and then said, This may be true, but we must remember not to underestimate the Suul'ka. Our telepathic rage cannot reach over great distances, and their weapons are very powerful. The Steel Singers back in our home universe are already working on the problem, but it will take time. Until then we must proceed with caution. Tell me more of these 'Shadows'.
Briishiibi (water flowing over the body in a burst of speed) spent the next hour discussing the Shadows' abilities when confronted with telepaths, and then the Black called a halt.
Enough, he said. We have seen evidence of most of what you say, but we cannot afford to assume anything based on the few times we have engaged the enemy. Let us go and discuss events with Commander Montoya.
Near Medlab 1, Independent Space Station Babylon 5
Epsilon Eridani System
September 24, 2260
1315 hrs
Lieutenant Commander Alexis Macintyre was completely, hopelessly, and utterly lost. Commander Montoya had instructed her to walk around the station and learn what she could. They had been here for several days already, and still knew next to nothing about this universe. Thus, everyone the Solaris could spare was being given shore leave on the condition that they keep their eyes and ears open for any information concerning the Shadows.
It had started out fine. In civilian attire that was close enough to the local humans' that she fit in, Alexis had easily mixed in with the local population in a place they called the "Zocalo", whatever that stood for. It was a kind of marketplace, and she had managed to satisfy many of the desires she had had for a while now. She didn't have any local currency, but that didn't matter. She was familiar with many of the cultures protected by the Terran Alliance, and spoke many of the languages, but had never gotten to actually immerse herself in any of them. She was pleased to see so many familiar species represented on this station. It made things easier, and allowed her to practice some of the more fun languages and cultures.
Then, after a while, it got complicated. She had been talking with a surprisingly intelligent and docile Drazi about the current events, on the premise that she had been exploring the outer rim, and was aboard the station on business, and wanted to get caught up. She hadn't been paying attention to where they were going, and after they had parted ways, she looked up and realized that she didn't know where she was or how to get back to the Zocalo. They had taken several transport tubes in their wanderings, and she hadn't seen any station directories in the ten minutes that she had been walking alone.
Suddenly, she heard a scream and alarm klaxons began sounding. Training kicked in, and she ran in the direction of the scream.
Alexis arrived outside what looked like a medical facility just as several individuals approached from the opposite direction. Among them she recognized Warrant Officer Garibaldi and Doctor Franklin. While Franklin spoke with a medical technician who'd been standing outside, Garibaldi addressed her.
"Commander Macintyre, what are you doing here?" he asked tightly.
She replied, "I heard a scream, sir. How can I help?"
As Franklin opened the door to the medlab, Garibaldi considered for a moment, and then said, "Alright, come on. Stick close."
The other person, dressed all in black, entered with them as well. Inside, Macintyre found a metal bar that had broken off from somewhere. It was roughly two and a half feet long, and very stout. She picked it up, figuring any weapon was better than none. Garibaldi and the Doctor both grabbed emergency flashlights from shelves near the door.
Cautiously, the group moved into the room, keeping alert for whatever had gone wrong. As they rounded a particularly large station that stretched from floor to ceiling, Garibaldi stopped and motioned for the others. As they turned the corner, each of them stopped and stared. Macintyre was last in line, but when she finally saw what had happened, she understood what captivated the others. There, hanging suspended from the ceiling, was a woman wrapped in exposed wires, circuitry, and other electronic hardware. In some areas it was difficult to tell where the machines stopped and the woman started.
Tearing her eyes from the spectacle, Macintyre looked to Garibaldi for instructions. He still stood there entranced, but the man next to him caught her eye. She didn't know his name and had never seen him before, but the look of horror on his face was universal. In that moment it was clear to Macintyre that whoever this man in black was, he knew the woman hanging in front of them.
The woman spoke, and Franklin attempted to open a dialogue with her. She was delirious, however, and spoke only to the man next to Garibaldi. She called him "Alfred", and asked for his help. As soon as he stepped out of shadow, however, her entire demeanor changed. Her expression became one of rage, and she raised her hands, fingers outstretched. Garibaldi pulled Alfred behind the lab station and Franklin took cover near the wall to the left, while Alexis dove over the computer console at her back.
No sooner were they behind cover than several bolts of electrical discharges lanced out at them, most of which were somehow directed at Garibaldi's position. After a moment the woman spoke again, talking about pain and some sort of 'sign'. Alfred was the most shaken by the attack, however.
"There's no reason for her to do this, or attack me," he said. "Why is she doing this?"
Macintyre almost scoffed. What reason does a delirious, machine enhanced woman need to attack anyone?
Finally Garibaldi figured it out, and asked Alfred for the pin he wore on his chest. Macintyre recognized it as the Greek character Psi, though what significance it carried she couldn't tell.
She understood a few seconds later, however, that it was what had set off the woman in front of them. As soon as the security chief threw the pin out in the open she attacked again, scorching the pin and blasting a divot into the metal of the floor.
Eventually Franklin was able to get close enough to her to inject a sedative, and seconds after that she was asleep.
Once the area was secured and he was certain the woman wasn't going to wake up, Garibaldi walked to the entrance with Alexis.
Turning to her, he said, "Thanks for your help back there, Commander. You didn't have to do that."
"No problem, Mr. Garibaldi," she replied. "If you ever need anything, within reason, just ask."
"Thanks again. Good day, Commander." With that, Garibaldi walked back towards the mess that was Medlab 1, and Macintyre was left to get directions back to the docking bays from a nearby technician.
War Room, Independent Space Station Babylon 5
Epsilon Eridani System
September 24, 2260
1812 hrs
Garibaldi sat in the War Room, his feet irreverently propped up on the table, waiting for the Captain and the others. On the table next to him sat G'kar's copy of the Book of G'quan, which he had loaned to Michael. The answer had been in there all along!
After listening to Caroline, the woman from medlab, talking about how Bester's Psi Corps logo had kept her from hearing "the machine", it had all made perfect sense. Coupled with the Narn holy text, it had all come together. It had just been a matter of finding the right passages.
The Shadows were afraid of telepaths! Somehow, whatever it was that telepaths did caused physical pain to Shadow technology, and maybe even to the Shadows themselves. Now that was a weapon to be used, if ever Garibaldi had heard of one. Now he just had to sell it to the others, and he doubted that it would be hard. It was the first thing that they had found that could possibly be used to really hurt the enemy.
Michael spent a few more minutes organizing his thoughts and tucking away the majority of his excitement as he waited for the others to arrive. When they did, however, he found that he just couldn't keep the grin off of his face!
Deep Space
Brakiri Sovereign Territory
September 24, 2260
1800 hrs
The Brakiri cargo transport convoy had been having an easy journey of late. No raiders, no pirates, not even technical malfunctions. They were on time, and could be expecting something extra out of this run. If only they knew.
The first anomaly showed up directly behind them. It read like a jump point, but something was different about it. Then others started to show up around the convoy. The black ships were enormous, and the purple beams that they fired sliced through the armor of the military escort ships like it wasn't even there. Then, despite cries of surrender, the alien warships opened fire on the defenseless civilian ships.
The captain of the last transport was able to get off a distress message before his ship was destroyed, as well…
