Sorry for the long wait, but I had been very busy with life and the rewrite for Golden Dawn. I have 8 to 9 chapters done for that. And I realized I haven't updated this story in 10 months. I decided that a chapter must be written and here it is.
I hope you like my new style of writing. It is a change from what I was used to, and let me know via reviews how you like it.
Addition to the Circle
Chapter 14: Empire
Ivanova stood at the window in command and control, typing in commands on her console.
"Earth Transport Three-Seven, you will hold position. A Minbari flyer is ahead of you." She barked at the console.
"Ma'am, jump point forming in Sector 37! Enormous energy signature, unknown configuration." Lieutenant Corwin reported, his knuckles white on the console.
"What? Hail them!" Ivanova said as she brought up the image from the security bot nearby. The ship was relatively small, only four hundred meters long, but the menacing dagger-like shape gave no doubt as to the purpose of the ship. The energy readings rivaled that of a much larger Minbari war cruiser.
"This is Commander Ivanova of Earthforce, state identification and intent." She said tersely, trying to quell her unease at the presence of such a powerful ship. The reply was clipped and short.
"This is the Alesian Empire Ship Starfire to Babylon 5. Prepare for arrival of diplomatic personnel." Ivanova was surprised at the reply as the speaker clicked off.
"Comms have been terminated." Corwin said as he fiddled with the controls. "Shall I alert the captain?"
"Yes." Ivanova said after a moment, her mind coming to terms with the information. She watched on the sensors as a tube like craft exited a small hole in the bottom of the ship, flying toward the station.
"Babylon 5, this is Jumper Two. Requesting landing clearance for diplomatic personnel."
"Hold station." Ivanova tried to stall due to the traffic coming through.
"My passenger is not accustomed to waiting." The reply held an implied threat.
"You will wait until the lane is clear for your entry point." Ivanova said, annoyed at the arrogance of the reply.
"My passenger says that is not acceptable. He is familiar with your enormous delays and will find an alternative method of boarding." Ivanova hated the smug reply that came over the channel.
"What do you mean, alternative method of boarding?" Ivanova said suspiciously.
"Standby. Commence beaming. Beaming complete. Diplomatic personnel onboard, returning to the Starfire." The reply clicked off as Ivanova growled in frustration. These Alesians were infuriating.
"Ma'am, the shuttle is returning to the cruiser. Detecting energy signature in Red Six."
"Security to Red Six." Ivanova ordered quickly. It was only a moment before she heard a reply.
"Security to CnC. Found the intruders. Five of them, dressed in strange armor. One has identified himself as the leader and is requesting to be escorted to the Council Chamber for diplomatic negotiations."
"I will alert the captain."
Amann stood impassively as the four legionnaires stood at attention around him. Or rather, the humans dressed as legionnaires, Amann thought, his eyes sweeping across the hall. Legionnaires were elite super soldiers at the height of the Alesian Empire's power, trained for a decade in the harshest conditions imaginable. They were given battle experience in every conceivable environment. But that was the old Empire. Now all he had was some refugees. It would have to do.
While their training was subpar to the brutal training regimen and indoctrination that real Alesian legionnaires underwent, the human telepaths still had the benefit of Alesian technology and genetic engineering. Amann knew he couldn't afford to waste ten years to train new legionnaires to Alesian standards. Superior technology will just have to answer for inexperience. He needed soldiers, and not a moment too soon. His interests were threatened before they could be fully realized.
Before Amann could decide on what to say, he saw Captain Sheriden enter the room. Amann turned to fully face him.
"Captain Sheriden, thank you for taking the time to see me. I apologize for my abrupt entry, but circumstances warranted it." Amann said smoothly, a politician's smile on his face.
"I would say so. Ambassador Delenn told me the Minbari warrior caste are screaming for a full out strike on the 'upstarts'. Her words." Sheriden said hesitantly.
"Some people will not learn. She still does not know of my people, does she?" Amann questioned Sheriden, his eyes thoughtful.
"No, we haven't had a chance to fully inform everyone in our circle." Sheriden answered.
"Then I shall do so. I would like for you to convene the Babylon 5 council in one hour. I will introduce the Alesians as a power to be reckoned with. I believe we can kill two birds with one stone." Amann said softly, a plan forming in his mind.
"How?" Sheriden said, seeing the shrewd glint in Amann's dark eyes. Beneath the mask of formality, Sheriden saw a predator, a dangerous foe to be reckoned with. He knew in that instant that Amann would use any means to get what he wanted. He felt a trickle of cold sweat drip down his back as Amann gazed back, his eyes analyzing the human captain. Something seemed to pass between the two men before Amann cleared his throat.
"Resolving two conflicts at once. You shall see. I must prepare myself, figure out what I will say." Amann said with a cold smile, turning away and gesturing to his bodyguards. "All in good time, captain. All in good time." Sheriden watched the Alesian as he walked away, noting the strangely armored soldiers as they followed their leader with precise steps. It seemed they had military training. He had been told how the Alesians ran their empire from Amann's own lips, but seeing a glimpse of it sent a shiver down his spine.
Sheriden stood in the Babylon 5 council chamber, his demeanor stiff and formal as the alien delegates filed in and took their seats. Londo was the last to arrive as he took his seat.
"I assume you have a reason for summoning us here, Captain?" He grumbled, his irritation showing through. "I was in the middle of an important affair when I was commed to come to an unscheduled council meeting."
"As a matter of fact Ambassador, there is a good reason. We are joined by a delegation from a previously unknown group, who wishes to speak with the council." Sheriden said smoothly before continuing. "As military governor of Babylon 5, I have agreed to convene the council and listen to what they have to say."
Footsteps echoed outside the door. As everyone turned to meet the new sound, two white-armored soldiers walked in and stood at attention as another man walked in behind them. Londo frowned a bit at the dark-haired, pale human.
"But, they are human, Captain." Londo managed to get out.
"Not quite, but for all intents and purposes, our kind was the first evolution of mankind, while humans are the second evolution of our kind." Amann said smoothly, striding forward to stand in the center of the chamber, his footfalls echoing loudly throughout the room. Londo froze as he recognized the voice. It couldn't be. He looked different, dressed as he was in all of the armor. There was a cold, regal bearing around the businessman now, no trace of the unassuming insect that had offered the Centauri the technology to conquer its enemies.
"You were the one that offered Babylon 5 energy shield technology. You are a human businessman!" Londo exclaimed.
"Very good, Ambassador. But appearances can be deceiving." Amann said, regarding the Centauri with an arched eyebrow.
"I am not human. Yes, my name is Amann Adar. But my title is High Councilor of the Alesian Empire." Amann's words rang throughout the chamber. The stunned silence continued for several moments before Londo scoffed.
"Very funny joke, Mr. Adar. But I think the great and noble Centauri Republic would have heard of your Empire if it existed." Londo gave a sneering smile.
"A joke?" Amann said quietly, his tone icy cold. "I assure you, Londo Mollari, that the Alesian Empire is quite real, and commands real power. Ask the Minbari." He nodded toward Delenn, who looked confused.
"What do you refer to? I never heard of the Alesian Empire either."
"I believe the Minbari warrior caste is up in arms about the 'upstarts'." Amann said, a tone of amusement in his voice as he raised his fingers to air quote. When he next spoke, the amusement was gone.
"They sent a war cruiser into our space. We told them to leave and they refused, so we destroyed their ship." Amann regarded the Minbari ambassador, who eyed the Alesian warily. Amann allowed a moment to pass before speaking again.
"I have come here to resolve two issues that are of concern to the Empire. The first one is the Minbari intrusion into our space. Unauthorized intrusions will not be tolerated and will be asked to leave or be destroyed. Minbar would be wise to not provoke a war with my government. Do I have your agreement?" Amann tapped the desk in front of Delenn, watching her intensely.
"I will speak with my government." Delenn said softly.
"Good. Which brings me to the second reason why I am here." Amann paced in front of the table.
"For months now, I have seen the reports of the conflict between the Narn Regime and the Centauri Republic. Both powers are clients of the Alesian Empire, entered into business contracts with my people." Amann stated neutrally, looking at all of the delegates.
"We feel that since the Centauri have effectively beaten the Narn fleet back to their homeworld, that the conflict must cease. I bring you a message of peace from the Alesian Empire. We are willing to mediate the current conflict and hammer out acceptable terms to both sides. " Amann eyed both ambassadors.
"Enough blood has been shed. Let go of your feud and allow us to rebuild both your peoples into a new era of greatness and prosperity. We can even integrate you into the Alesian Empire as protectorates to ensure that peace is maintained." Amann said softly as he extended his hand out in a gesture of friendship.
"Join us, and let us rebuild what has been lost in this savage conflict. Help us forge a new order where we can all build a glorious future for all involved species." Amann watched G'kar and Londo, hoping they would accept the terms and rise above their differences.
"No." Londo said flatly. Amann was not surprised.
"No to what, Ambassador?" Amann said coolly, knowing instantly what Londo was thinking.
"To all of it! The Centauri Republic will not bow to the demands of a backwater power, if it even exists at all. We know you are a rogue telepath, and that you have a band of rogue human telepaths that follow you. Your cult is in no position to make demands." Londo sneered at the Alesian, who remained unfazed by Londo's outburst.
"When those rogue telepaths and others like myself control technology far beyond your wildest imagination, I think you will find we are in a position to enforce those demands. A small escort cruiser, by no means a high end Alesian battleship, was responsible for slagging a Minbari cruiser with minimal damage." Amann said glacially, his demeanor changing abruptly as he continued. His posture became threatening as he planted both armored hands on the table and leaned in, his face mere inches from the Centauri ambassador.
"When those very same ships can exterminate all life on a planet down to the last microbe, burn the atmosphere off, and boil the oceans dry until nothing remains but a slagged and glass surface. What power do you have that can compare to the kind of hellish power the Alesian Empire can unleash? Fortunately for you, the Empire has rarely done this in the course of over twenty two thousand years since I have been alive. I founded the Empire on the concepts of order, prosperity, and strength, not genocide." Amann said coldly, his voice inflecting the likeness of the arctic wind.
"All lies! We would have heard of you by now if you had such power." Londo blustered arrogantly.
"Perhaps we wanted to keep to ourselves, Ambassador. Perhaps we didn't want to be found." Amann lied, his tone giving nothing away. It was an enormous bluff, portraying the Alesian Empire stronger than it appeared. While the Empire was as strong as he said, it was only that strong back in the dimension he came from. Here, it only had a handful of planets and barely the ships to protect all of the Alesian assets, Amann mused, taking care to not let this information leak to the rest of the delegates. In time this would change, but not for a while.
"You are a liar. I cannot believe that this council gave you the time of day to hear this ridiculous demand." Londo said with derision.
"So you decline any effort on our part to mediate a ceasefire? You will continue the war until Narn is underneath the Centauri jackboot?" Amann said with a raised eyebrow.
"We will continue the war until the Narns are no longer a threat. The Centauri Republic will not stop until Narn is back under our control, and we will make sure the Narn are never a threat to us ever again. Which it will be in a matter of weeks!" Londo spat on the floor as he stood up. Amann tapped the desk as his eyes locked with Londo's own. A cold, calculated expression flitted across his face for a moment before Amann inclined his head slightly.
"Then I fear I cannot guarantee the survival of the Centauri fleet should it attack Narn." Amann said simply.
"Is that a threat?" Londo demanded angrily.
"Not a threat. A promise. The Alesian Empire will not stand idly by while its interests are threatened. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that our interests are maintained." Amann said forcefully, his voice raised for the first time. Before Londo could reply, Amann cut him off.
"And in case you were thinking about discarding our agreement, know that I will simply sell shield technology to the Narns or anyone else that wishes to get an edge over the Centauri, for a discounted price. I know of your government's plans to attack the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. Your mind practically screams it." Amann grinned ferally as the delegates shot looks of hostility toward Londo, who looked rather shocked at the revelation. He had discussed the possibility with Lord Refa before, but that knowledge was classified at the top echelons of the Centauri government.
"Did you actually believe that you could fool them once the Narns were bowed before you in defeat? A most clever plan, Ambassador, but ultimately the number of enemies you will create will spell the end of the Centauri Republic. I listed my terms. Attack the Narn homeworld at your own peril." Amann gave a little nod before he spun around and walked out of the chamber, his cape swirling behind him as the legionnaires followed. Sheriden sighed heavily. This did not go well.
Amann walked along the hallway, his guards forming up on him as he headed away from the council chamber. With an issued order, he found himself back on the bridge of the Starfire.
"How did it go, Councilor?" Robert asked, brushing off a fleck of dust off his armor.
"About what I expected in all honesty." Amann replied heavily as he took the command seat on the small bridge. "The Minbari will back off with Delenn's recommendation. The Centauri are too arrogant to back off and will attack Narn. I want every available ship sortie once the sensor nets pick up the Centauri battlegroup insystem."
"Yes sir. Councilor Janice has sent word. She reports that the city is nearly complete, and that more refugees are arriving insystem. It seems your legend among the rogue telepaths grows daily, Councilor." Robert noted.
"Yes, my influence will soon be enough to challenge the Psi Corps for the rights to the human telepaths." Amann said shrewdly. "But the time has not yet come. What of Project Redeem?"
"It will take a few months before the test subject is mature enough." Robert replied crisply.
"Good." Amann turned to give orders to return home. "Does Janice send anything else?"
"She sends her love." Robert said, noting the softening of Amann's expression. It lasted for only a few seconds before Amann's expression reformed.
"Very good. We shall be at Alesia within a few moments." Amann tapped a button on the console next to his command chair and brought up a holographic image of the galaxy.
"Sir? May I ask who the test subject for Project Redeem is?" Robert asked curiously. It was a moment before Amann replied.
"A great Alesian warrior. One that can truly lead our armies into battle. In time, more will follow, once we can reconstruct their full genetic sequences." Amann said softly, a cruel smile forming on his lips. It chilled Robert to the core as he watched Amann. "The galaxy will know and fear the military prowess of the Alesian Empire soon enough."