Chapter Twenty
Council Chamber
Babylon Five, That Same Time
Ambassador Nedron scowled at Ambassador Kalika – while he had the greatest of respect for the Abbai he was not so sure that now was the right time for a vote on the idea that this other race of Humans who called themselves the Tau'ri meant no harm. They didn't have enough information about them to make an informed decision as all they really knew about the Tau'ri could be summed up in three simple points.
One they were apparently human, two that they seemed to possess a level of technology that was frighteningly advanced in away that was beyond anything known to the local races – except possibly the technology of the Vorlons. And finally that they were apparently behind one of the most ancient and fantastical of Earther legends; the legend of Atlantis; a legend that had inspired Earther filmmakers for generations and produced some amazing fantasy adventures that were to this day very popular on his peoples homeworld, a legend that – if the Tau'ri were to be believed – was based on a real place, on a real thing, albeit something even more fantastical than the legend itself was.
"With all due respect to my honoured colleague I do not believe we currently have enough information to make such a determination," he said. "We know to little to make an informed decision on whether Captain McKenzie speaks the truth and the Tau'ri mean us no harm. Now is not the time for a vote on the issue."
"I have to agree," Londo Mollari added leaning forward slightly in his seat. "While I wish to believe your words, Captain McKenzie we dare not. The Centauri Republic is not convinced that you mean us no harm. How can we be sure that you are not lying to all of us here? How can we be sure that you are not preparing an invasion of our territories?"
Aaron sighed as a number of the ambassadors in the League worlds made sounds of agreement, with the notable exception of Ambassador Kalika. "With all due respect, Ambassador Mollari you are being somewhat paranoid," he replied. "As I've already said we have no interest in taking anything from anybody in this sector of this galaxy. We are not thieves nor are we a warlike race, such is not our way."
"I wish I could believe you," Londo replied. "But I cannot, it would be beyond foolish to trust you while knowing so little about who you are and what you want in this galaxy if as you say you are from a completely different place beyond the rim. And we Centauri are not foolish we didn't get to be the lion of the galaxy by being foolishly trusting."
"No you just invaded innocent worlds and enslaved most of their populations and massacring the rest," G'Kar snapped back some of his anger and hatred for what the Centauri had done to his world and his people coming into his voice as he spoke. In their hundred year reign of terror the Centauri had transformed Narn from a green paradise world into a harsh, barren world that was only just able to support its people. And that was just the start the crimes the Centauri Republic had committed against the Narn race were myriad; crimes for which the Narn people would eventually get justice; justice in the form of cleansing the universe of the self proclaimed lion of the galaxy.
"Gentlemen," Sinclair said sharply as Londo looked about ready to launch into an angry tirade back at the Narn ambassador. The warning in his voice was clear, he wasn't about to let the centuries worth of bad blood between the Narn and the Centauri erupt into yet another shouting match in the middle of the council chamber. Despite their mutual anger and hatred both ambassadors clearly heard the warning in Sinclair's voice and subsided glowering at each other in mutual animosity. Satisfied that Londo and G'Kar would behave – for now at least – Jeff looked back at Captain McKenzie. Who seemed to be looking at the two ambassadors with a look that was both thoughtful and understanding.
"I apologise for that outburst, captain," he said.
"It's quite alright, commander," Aaron answered. "I am well aware of how wrongs committed in the past can taint the present and the future. While I am not familiar with the history between the Narn and the Centauri I can clearly see the signs of one that is laced with much bloodshed, anger and hatred," he looked pointedly at the two ambassadors in question, "a past your two species must somehow move beyond or it will lead to your mutual destruction."
"Well said," Delenn agreed, looking over at Londo and G'Kar. Both she and Commander Sinclair had told both that they had to learn to let go of the past between their species in order to build a better future. But neither race seemed to be able to do so; instead they traded insults and hurled accusations in each others faces on a common basis. Though she hadn't said anything she feared where it could lead as such long standing resentments were likely to be picked up upon by the Shadows. Who definitely wouldn't hesitate to breath on the flickering embers of that resentment, fanning them into a fire that would engulf that entire sector in the horror of all out interstellar war.
"Our affairs do not concern you, either of you," Londo snapped back, deeply offended by the implication – real or imagined – that the Tau'ri and the Minbari were judging the actions of the Centauri. Something they had absolutely no right to do, his people had walked the stars for almost a thousand years they were the lion of the galaxy no one but no one told them what to do. "We will do as we please as we always have done." Not that that convention of genetic defects that make up the Centaurum do anything these days, he thought, we're becoming a third rate power in the galaxy and they don't seem to care.
"That is of course your choice, ambassador," Aaron replied. "As I said every species, every individual has the right and obligation to choose their own path. Freedom of will is the right of all sentient species. All I can tell you is what we have seen happen before we've seen entire races die because they could not get over wrongs real or imagined that were committed against them in the past. We seen whole planets burnt to lifeless cinders or reduced to scattered asteroids in wars fuelled by past hatreds that species have not been able to put behind them."
"You have seen worlds destroyed by war," Ambassador Nedron asked awed and a little scared by the kind of firepower needed to do something like that. "Literally blasted to pieces?"
"I haven't personally, ambassador no but others of my kind have," Aaron replied. "It is always a tragedy when an entire species ceases to be."
"Yes," Kosh Narenek agreed.
"That is one of the reasons, the main reason why we are here now," Aaron added. "You know of us now, so we want peaceful relations with all of you, we don't want any misunderstandings between us and any of you to lead to war. I am not asking for your trust overnight, I know that would be impossible for any of you to really give. All we ask is that you give us a chance to prove to you that we mean no harm."
"Those are good words, captain," Nedron replied. "But they are only words. We require proof of your words, only then will we be satisfied that you mean what you say." Around him most of the League ambassadors nodded in agreement.
Aaron sighed, he was starting to get more than a little fed up with this discussion, it felt somewhat like he was going around in circles. These ambassadors seemed to be somewhat paranoid with a very cold war attitude to them, something he was depressingly familiar with having spent years patrolling the Tau'ri Federation/Aschen Confederation border region of his universes version of the Milky Way. That particular 'cold war' had been raging for centuries, and didn't look like it was going to end anytime soon as the Aschen showed no sign of changing their ways of manipulation and mostly covert conquest of unsuspecting, more primitive worlds. Worlds that in many cases were worlds his people would protect but otherwise not interfere with – like the Asgard they allowed each world, each culture to develop in its own way at its own pace. Though unlike the Asgard they did quietly encourage primitive worlds to start advancing technologically, without directly providing them with anything, even though they weren't confined by the tenants of the old Protected Planets Treaty in the way the Asgard had been before the fall of the Goa'uld System Lords.
"What kind of proof do you require ambassador," he asked at last keeping his voice calm, though it was obvious to anyone who understood Human body language that he was starting to loose his patience with the Brakiri representative.
"I am not sure what my government would accept," Nedron replied. "Though it would go a long way to proving your sincerity if you could send a civilian ambassador to this council. You are the captain of what is no doubt an extremely powerful warship you representing your people sends the wrong message."
"I have to agree," the Vree ambassador said. "If you really wish us to believe you mean no harm a civilian ambassador would have been better."
"As I have said no one was available at the time, ambassadors," Aaron replied. "But we are going in circles here now. Let me be clear that at the end of the day what you believe about us and our intentions makes no difference to us. All you need to be aware of is we are not a violent people, not anymore we left such juvenile behaviour behind long ago, we will only fight when given no other choice. If you do not threaten us, then you have nothing to fear from us. Trust will attend to itself in time as right now there seems to be precious little of that."
"Are you saying you do not trust us," Nedron said. "If that is the case then how can we trust you when you do not trust us?"
"Enough," Kalika said speaking up. "This reasoning is circular and will not get us anywhere. As you are aware Nedron we have given the Tau'ri no reason to trust us, but I agree with Captain McKenzie. Trust will come with time as we learn more of each other."
"I have to agree," Delenn added. Nedron scowled and was about to lurch into another demand for more information, but a glare from Kalika stopped him in his tracks and a glance at the other league members showed that a number like the Llort, Markab and Hiach were starting to follow the Abbai lead. The fact that the Minbari were apparently agreeing with the Abbai position would only encourage them and possibly drive some of the others into siding with Kalika. While he could count on the Drazi and possibly the Vree to continue supporting him in his arguments he knew that he would loose this time. The only way to possibly get answers out of the Tau'ri would be to present them with a united front of all the League, something that didn't look like it was going to happen now.
"Very well," he said at last. "Captain McKenzie be warned we will be watching your people closely."
"As will we," Londo agreed eying the Tau'ri commander, still a little offended by the implied judgement of his people. Though he was no fool and could see a confidence and arrogance to the Tau'ri, the same kind of arrogant confidence that the Minbari and the even more isolationist and mysterious Yolu had, a attitude that said that the Tau'ri were well aware that there was little or nothing the Younger Races could do to harm them. He could only wonder how well earned it was. Then there was the matter of the open respect he had seen the Vorlons showing the Tau'ri, which was an unprecedented occurrence in his experience – especially as as far as he knew there was no known race powerful enough to be a threat of the enigmatic, but undeniably powerful Vorlon Empire. The Vorlons didn't need to show anyone respect, the fact that they were showing respect to the Tau'ri was interesting to say the least and also somewhat concerning as it implied that the Tau'ri possessed power on a par with the Vorlons themselves.
"That is of course your choice, ambassadors," Aaron answered the sound of his voice bringing Londo out of his thoughts. "I hope in time we will learn to trust each other, but we have time we must learn more of each other first. After all as an old saying of my people goes 'if you immediately know the candlelight is fire then the meal was cooked a long time ago.'"
"The wind must learn to know the mountain," Kosh Menkusi agreed a little surprised by the saying she had just heard and the wisdom that was implied in it. You are a wise species, she thought looking at the Tau'ri, and you obviously know who you are. Good, we will be able to have a relationship with you as we did with the Alterans before you. And maybe, just maybe you will be able to help us deal with the distasteful chaos that is about to come now that the dark ones are starting to move.
"Exactly," Aaron answered deciphering what the Vorlon was trying to say with relative ease as it was nowhere near as cryptic as the ascended could be sometimes – when they chose to interact with species on the lower planes of existence that was, which wasn't that often. A glance around the room however told him that the other races didn't quite understand what the cryptic sayings meant. They will in time, he thought, as long as they are willing to open there minds, though that will probably be a strange experience for people like Ambassador Nedron.
"Commander Sinclair," he said turning to look at Sinclair. "Might I suggest we recess for a time, I've said what I came here to say. With your permission my ship will remain here for awhile, until a suitable ambassador can be appointed."
"That will be difficult," Sinclair replied. "The Babylon Charter strictly forbids the presence of warships in Babylon Five space for periods of time longer than a few days. No exceptions can be made."
"Very well I will order the Jutland to withdraw," Aaron replied. "Some of my people will remain here until such a time as a formal ambassador can be assigned. Assuming of course that that is acceptable to the council?"
"I believe it will be," Kalika answered speaking up. "Commander Sinclair I must once again call for a vote on the matter of allowing a Tau'ri presence to remain on this station until such time as a proper ambassador can be appointed."
Sinclair nodded. "Is there a second," he asked knowing that the Babylon Charter demanded that there be a second before the council could vote on any issue that was before them.
"Yes," came the lyrical voice of Ambassador Kosh, surprising almost the whole room. The Vorlon was taking far more active part in this special session of the council than was normal, even when the typically enigmatic Vorlon bothered to turn up for the meetings.
"Very well," Sinclair said coming out of his shock, though he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised by the Vorlon behaviour. They had been acting very oddly since the Tau'ri probe was briefly captured, a probe that he now believed to have been some sort of intelligence gathering probe. "Ambassador G'Kar what is the Narn Regimes vote?"
G'Kar remained silent for a moment before leaning forward. "While the Narn Regime shares the concerns expressed by Ambassadors Nedron and Mollari we also see the potential benefits of further association with the Tau'ri," he said at last. "Therefore we vote yes."
"Ambassador Mollari," Sinclair said to tell Londo that it was his turn to vote.
"As with the Narn the Centauri Republic see's the benefits of furthering a diplomatic relationship with the Tau'ri Federation," Londo replied. "Therefore we also vote yes. The Tau'ri can maintain a presence on Babylon Five until such a time as they can appoint a proper ambassador to this council. But be warned," he added looking pointedly at McKenzie, "we shall be watching you very closely."
"Ambassador Delenn may the council hear your vote," Sinclair continued in his role as chairperson of the advisory council.
Delenn bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. "After careful consideration of this issue I have to agree with my colleagues," she said. "The Minbari Federation votes yes."
"Ambassador Kosh may the council hear your vote."
"Yes," Kosh Narenek answered.
"Is that your vote," Sinclair asked.
"Yes," Kosh repeated in a textbook Vorlon one word answer. Sinclair nodded in acceptance somewhat relieved that something's with the Vorlons hadn't changed considering the out of previously observed character behaviour the Vorlons had been embarked on with regards to the Tau'ri.
"Very well," he said. "As it falls to me to cast the vote of the Earth Alliance I must also vote yes upon this issue. The council will now hear the majority vote of the League worlds," he continued though the vote from the League was only a formality now. With all five of the major powers agreeing on something – for once – Ambassador Kalika's motion would be carried. "All League worlds in favour raise a hand."
To his total lack of surprise most of the League representatives raised their hands, with only the Brakiri, Drazi and Vree ambassadors keeping their hands down to indicate there disagreement.
"Opposed," Sinclair continued as most of the ambassadors lowered their hands only for the Drazi, Brakiri and Vree to raise there hands. "Then it is decided," he continued. "Captain McKenzie the council agrees that you may keep a presence here until such a time as a formal ambassador can be appointed to this council."
Aaron nodded. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you all for your support. Now with the council's permission I would like to return to my ship to make the appropriate arrangements."
"That should be possible," Sinclair agreed before looking around at the members of the council. "If anyone wishes to say anything more on this issue then please say your piece now," the council remained silent, though Nedron did look like he wanted to say something more but didn't now that a decision had been made. "Very well, this special session of the Babylon Five Advisory Council and the League of Non-aligned Worlds is hereby adjourned." As he spoke Sinclair once again picked up the gavel in front of his position and brought it down to produce a loud knock sound, indicating to all that the meeting was over.
Immediately the different ambassadors began to stand up and leave the room, many of them engaged in conversation with one another. Especially among the league ambassadors, looking over at them Aaron McKenzie guessed that Ambassador Nedron was trying to persuade some of the others to back him and his governments stance. I think we'll have to keep an eye on the Brakiri, he thought, they're probably going to cause us no end of diplomatic trouble.
He was distracted from his thoughts when the Vorlon with the more rounded encounter suit approached him. "We must speak further," Kosh Menkusi said speaking in the language of the Alterans once again.
"We will," Aaron agreed in the same language, "in due time."
Menkusi bowed her headpiece in acknowledgement and acceptance, like the Alterans before them the Tau'ri appeared to be a cautious, ordered people – a people who knew a secret that the Vorlons had sought for so long. "I look forward to it," she said and she meant it, though discussing ascension would have to wait for awhile, it was not time yet – not now that the Shadows were beginning to move. "We have much to discuss."
"Indeed," Aaron replied before the two Vorlons withdrew from standing near him and left the council chambers. Only to be replaced a few moments later by Commander Sinclair and Mr Garibaldi with Ambassador Delenn hanging back from them, Aaron guessed that she – if Minbari had separate male and female genders – wanted to speak with the commander after they left. "Commander," he said switching to speaking in the non-accented English that was Tau'ri standard. "I believe that went quite well."
"As well as can be expected, captain," Sinclair replied. "You actually got off quite lightly many of the League ambassadors can be… tempered at times."
"The ambassadors do strike me as being somewhat paranoid I think is the word," Aaron answered. "But then there is a tension to all of you that is somewhat unhelpful to the noble purpose for which your kind constructed this station. If you really wish to prevent war then you will have to learn to begin really trusting each other."
"Believe me we're working on that," Sinclair said. "But I will admit that it is an uphill struggle, there is a lot of conflict in the history of this galaxy. It casts a long shadow. Much as we all try to learn the lessons of history, most of us anyway. Somehow I don't think the Narn and Centauri are going to change anytime soon.
"But we are getting off track. Mr Garibaldi will take you back to the docking bays for your trip back to the Jutland. I will have quarters in Green Sector made ready for your delegation when they return."
"Thank you, commander," Aaron replied.
"If you will come with me," Garibaldi said before leading the way out the council chamber. Aaron and the rest of his small entourage followed leaving Sinclair alone in the council chamber with Delenn.
"That went well," Sinclair said aloud. "Though why do I believe that this meeting has raised far more questions than answers?"
"I know what you mean," Delenn admitted. "The Tau'ri have told us a bit about them without really telling us anything. I have to admit that I am very curious about them."
"You're not the only one, Delenn. Though I was surprised that the Drazi were willing to support the Brakiri today, maybe we're finally starting to get through to those two."
"We can but hope," Delenn replied. "Now if you'll excuse me commander, there are urgent matters of state that require my attention."
"Of course Delenn."
"Good day, commander," Delenn said giving a slight formal Minbari bow before leaving the council chamber, deep in thought. As she had said to the commander the Tau'ri had given some information without really saying anything and it was apparent that they like the Vorlons could be maddeningly cryptic when they wanted to be. The council meeting had given her no real information about the Tau'ri, not that she had expected it to. Once they return I will have to set up a meeting with their representatives, she thought, and just hope that I will be able to get some more information about them, enough to work out just where they stand with regards to the war that is coming.
Somehow though she didn't think it was going to be that simple.
Edge of Milky Way Galaxy
Tau'ri Federation
A Short Time Later
Governor Richard Carter smiled as he read through the latest progress reports from geologists probing the secrets of this planets geology. The report like all the others was very positive, this planet – out here at the very edge of the Milky Way – was very rich in both trinium and neutronium, indeed it appeared to possess some of the richest neutronium deposits found for a number of years. Excellent, he thought, the Senate Resources Committee will be most pleased, this much neutronium on top of the naquada rich asteroids we found when we first arrived more than justifies the expense of bringing this city here.
Putting the electronic pad down for a moment Richard allowed his smile to widen into a grin as he looked around his office, and at the open door to the balcony outside that was letting in fresh, cool air rich with the smells of this planet. If anyone had told him a year ago that he would be in the position of governor/commander of the cityship Alderaan he would not have believed them. After all until being given this assignment he'd just been a minor administrator on a Tau'ri Defence Force starbase, like millions of others only with the slight distinction of having served two terms in the military when he was younger. Yet here he was and he was enjoying every minute of it – even though the responsibility was enormous given that he was not only responsible for surveying this worlds mineral wealth but also responsible for the lives of everyone in the city. A population that between the various scientists, technicians, families and a small military garrison number close on thirty four thousand souls of all ages. A population that would only increase closer and closer to the cities maximum population capacity as mining operations got underway.
A faint knock on the sheet crystal windows of his office caught his attention and he looked over to see one of the Defence Force officers who formed the control room staff in the doorway. "Yes," he asked.
"Sorry to disturb you governor but our long range sensors have detected a large group of ships in hyperspace approaching our location from intergalactic space," the younger man reported calmly.
Richard frowned. "How many ships," he asked.
"Leia estimates three hundred and twenty-four ships, sir," the officer replied. "We've analysed their hyperdrive signatures and confirmed that there a mixture of Tau'ri, Jaffa and Asgard vessels, however they appearing to be travelling at a far slower speed than what they are capable of."
"It could be the remains of the Fourth Fleet that we were told to watch out for," Richard said thoughtfully, "how long until they arrive?"
"By my calculations governor the fleet will arrive in orbit of this planet in twenty-four minutes, thirty-seven seconds," the cities A.I said as her holographic avatar blinked into existence in the room. As befitting the cities name Alderaan's A.I had chosen the vocal patterns and appearance of the fictional Princess Leia Organa from the ancient Star Wars series of movies. The holographic avatar that faced him was thus that of a very beautiful young woman, she was wearing a long, flowing, revealing white dress and wore a silver pendant that extended down into generous cleavage, completing her avatar's beauty Leia had given the hologram, long mahogany coloured hair elegantly styled with platinum cord.
"I see. Very well alert all personnel to prepare to rend humanitarian assistance to the incoming ships, all medical personnel to stand by to receive casualties. Recall all the jumpers on asteroid prospecting duties we're probably going to need them."
"Yes sir," the young officer replied before hurrying off to carry out Richard's instructions.
"Leia in the meantime I want you to send a series of subspace transmissions to Earth, Dakara and Orilla informing the various governments that the ships are inbound to our location."
"As you wish," Leia replied and inclined her head slightly as with another part of her mind she accessed three of Alderaan's subspace communications arrays and sent a series of transmissions into the subspace comm network that bound many of the galaxies in the local group together, allowing for example someone on Earth to communicate in real time with someone millions of light years away on Lantea or on Orilla.
"Messages transmitted, governor," Leia said after a moment returning her avatar's head to the normal posture. "Do you require anything more of me?"
"No that will be all for now, Leia," Richard replied. Leia nodded then vanished with all the fuss of a bursting soap bubble leaving Richard alone in his office. Richard sighed softly, stood up from his chair and went out onto the balcony. Leaning on the trinium railing he gazed out across the metal and crystal skyline of Alderaan to the majestic, snow capped mountains in the distance, mountains that surrounded three sides of the giant freshwater lake that the city floated on. In the distance a flight of bird-analogous creatures flew, emitting soft clucking, squawking sounds that carried on the wind to his ears.
It was a peaceful scene that was a sharp counterpoint to his suddenly turbulent thoughts. Like all planetary governors and command officials in the outer sectors of the Milky Way he had been briefed on what the forth fleet had been through in their mission to attempt to discover Rivendell's fate. Yet he had not really expected them to come here, though when he thought about it then it was not particularly surprising, considering that as a cityship Alderaan had more sophisticated and comprehensive medical facilities available than other locations in the regions facing outwards into the great void between galaxies. If there were critically injured people on some of the warships – which there were bound to be – then this was the logical place for them to come. Things are going to get bad, he thought, especially as the unknown alien attack upon the Forth Fleet and the disappearance of Rivendell which is probably linked to the aliens is almost certain to lead us into war.
At that thought and the knowledge of Rivendell's terrifying silence Richard shivered and glanced around at the gleaming towers, piers and elevated walkways of Alderaan. The disappearance of Rivendell and everyone on board her was a sharp reminded to him that for all their beauty, all their power and grandeur cityships were almost as fragile as the snow crystals their six pointed design mimicked. Not for the first time he wondered whose idea it was to send a cityship – albeit one with only a relatively small crew of scientists, technicians and soldiers – as the centre piece of an expedition to a newly discovered dark matter galaxy when it would have made far more sense to send conventional deep space exploration ships to survey the galaxy first before setting up an outpost. It would have certainly saved the lives of everyone on Rivendell if indeed the city and the squadron of warships assigned to support and protect her had been destroyed. Someone in exploration command or the government probably didn't want to wait, he thought, after all no exploration ships are due back from their missions for a number of years yet. And it's been centuries since anyone other than the Aschen have been a threat to us and they are more of a nuisance than anything else. So they sent Rivendell anyway and now that arrogance may well have been response for many thousands of deaths and be about to plunge us into interstellar war.
Sighing softly he put the thoughts of Rivendell's fate – and the in hindsight arrogant overconfidence that was partially to blame for her destruction – out of his mind. There were going to be wounded people on the incoming fleet, they were the priority now. Mourning the dead could wait, those still alive came first. Pushing away from the balcony rail Richard turned and headed back inside, his quiet city and planet was about to be turned into a madhouse and he had a lot to do to get ready for it.
TFS Repulse
Twenty Minutes Later
Admiral Helena Hawkins rubbed her eyes in exhaustion as she sat in the privacy of her ready room onboard the Repulse. Even with her eyes closed she saw the casualty figures and the seemingly endless damage reports. The battle with the unknown, but highly aggressive alien denizens of the dark matter galaxy had hurt them badly – far more badly than any enemy had hurt them in a very long time. In fact she had to concede that the defeat of her fleet at the hands of the aliens was perhaps the worst single Tau'ri military defeat in space since the Ori Crusade.
While it was true that just over half the combined Asgard. Tau'ri, Jaffa fleet under her command had survived the battle there was not one ship in the fleet that hadn't escaped damage. On some ships – including her own – the damage was relatively minor, being confined to some overloaded or burned out systems but other ships weren't so lucky, especially those ships that had suffered hull breaches. The alien plasma weapon had penetrated deep into a number of ships when shields had been hammered flat by the powerful weapon, melting through thick normally highly resistant trinium/naquada/carbon alloys or in the case of the Asgard trinium/neutronium alloys with stunning ease. Analysis had confirmed what the Asgards sensors had revealed during the battle – that the alien plasma weapons were antiproton based, which accounted for their ability to cut through even their strongest metals with such ease. But that wasn't all; the alien weapons had apparently left an unknown form of ionising radiation behind, radiation that had spilled through multiple compartments on dozens of decks on damaged ships before radiation countermeasures could stop the spread. Poisoning crew members whose conditions had so far defied all attempts to cure and causing continuous systemic failures as the radiation affected control crystals and power relays at the molecular level, damaging them beyond the abilities of self-repair nanites to correct. Engineers across the fleet were being run ragged, on some of the ships it was all they could do to keep the ships running with little chance of repairing them outside of a shipyard.
And then there were the casualty reports. Hundreds of thousands of Tau'ri, Jaffa and Asgard had died during the battle and in the aftermath. Even more were dying now especially on those ships affected by the alien radiation, some were so bad that they'd been placed in stasis chambers until such time as they could get them to more advanced medical facilities than what were available aboard ship. Facilities that were straining at the seams as they struggled to cope with the flood of wounded. This is just the start though isn't it, Helena thought, this battle has ensured that we are soon going to end up at war with whoever those aliens are. Thor has as much told me that the Asgard High Council is likely to declare war on them, the Jaffa are likely to do the same. And to top that off the Senate is going to be up in arms about what happened and the likelihood that Rivendell has been destroyed. For the first time in centuries we could soon be engaged in a shooting war.
It wasn't a pleasant prospect. But it was something she didn't see them being able to avoid, not now, not after so much death. Though she hesitated to admit it even to herself but Helena could feel the anger inside herself, anger directed at the aliens for doing this to them and their allies, anger at herself for all the deaths under her authority and anger at whichever idiot had thought sending a cityship to an unknown, dark matter galaxy was a good idea. There is no point in portioning blame though, she thought, we're all somewhat to blame for this. It's been so long since anyone was a real threat to us that we've started to fall into the same trap as the Ancients. We've been starting to forget just how dangerous the universe can really be and how we are still fragile beings despite all of our technology.
The sudden crystalline sounding bleeping of her desks communicator brought her out of her increasingly bleak thoughts. Straightening up in the chair – having slipped into an involuntary slough – she pressed a familiar crystal control on the offending instrument.
"Yes," she asked.
"Forgive me for disturbing you admiral," Captain Baker responded as a holographic screen appeared in front of her showing the face and upper torso of her flagships captain from where he was commanding the Repulse's main bridge. "But we're approaching the Datura System on the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy. Long range sensors have confirmed the presence of a cityship on the eastern continent of the third planet. We'll enter the system in just under four minutes."
"Understood," Helena replied feeling a surge of relief. She had originally intended to take the fleet all the way back to Starbase 233 but with so much damage to so many ships she hadn't been certain that they would all make it to their destination. That was why she'd ordered the fleet to alter their incoming vector slightly to take them past the Datura System as she was sure that there was a cityship scheduled to be there. And she had proven to be correct, which was a relief especially as a cityship both had access to the medical resources they needed to tend to their wounded and would be connected to the Stargate network allowing them to ship the even more seriously wounded through the gates to the state of the art medical facilities on some of the most heavily developed Federation or Jaffa worlds. It would also take the stress of the power systems on the more damaged ships and those whose systems were being affected by the alien radiation. Systems that were barely holding up to the stress of hyperspace travel – even with all ships reducing power to their hyperdrives to make it easier for the damaged ships to keep up. Systems that would have undergone catastrophic failures if they'd stayed in hyperspace for to much longer.
"Instruct the fleet to drop out of hyperspace when we enter the system," Helena instructed, "and proceed to orbit of Datura Three. I'll be on the flag bridge shortly please ask Supreme Commander Thor if he would like to join me there."
"Yes ma'am."
Helena signed off making the hologram evaporate before standing up and headed out of her ready room for the flag bridge. Soon this long flight with their tails tucked between the legs would be over and the fleet – what was left of it anyway – would drop out of hyperspace and she would at last be able to have a rest. She doubted it would last long though as she was bound to be called back to Avalon on Earth to meet with her superiors and be debriefed on what had happened to the fleet. And what she thought it meant for the future given that war between the unknown aliens and the Tau'ri Federation was almost a certainty now. She knew it would be if the Asgard High Council especially declared war, the political and popular pressure for them to support the face that had been their allies for centuries would ensure that outcome.
It took only a minute or so for Helena to make her way onto the flag bridge, but it took all that time for her to martial herself into the commanding presence that her crew was used to seeing from her. She couldn't let them see how exhausted she was – it would be counterproductive to their already battered morale for them to know that she hadn't really been sleeping well. Not since the battle.
"Status report," she ordered as she crossed the flag bridge to her command chair and sat down.
"The fleet is approaching Datura, ma'am," sensors reported. "The fleet is slowing down in preparation for hyperspace emergence."
"Time to normal space reversion," Helena asked not surprised to hear that the fleet was slowing down, it was normal for ships to reduce power to hyperdrives – dropping speed from a few million times the speed of light to a few hundred times – just short of their destination. It was to ensure that they both didn't inadvertently overshoot their target and had the minimal amount of hyperspace inertia to fight when they dropped back into normal space.
"Three minutes, ma'am," navigation reported consulting the feeds from the officer's colleague on the main bridge.
"Understood," Helena replied just as the sound of the flag bridge doors opening caught her attention. Looking over at the heavily armoured doors she saw the familiar diminutive form of an Asgard coming into the room and moving straight towards her.
"You asked to see me, Admiral Hawkins," Thor said,
"Yes, Thor. The fleet is approaching the Datura system."
"Will we be dropping out of hyperspace," Thor asked faintly recalling that the Tau'ri either had a cityship in the Datura System or that they were going to send one there. He wasn't sure which it was as the Asgard Fleet generally didn't track cityships inside Tau'ri territory for the same reason that they didn't track the position of the Tau'ri Fleet, it was no concern of there's – it was only when the Tau'ri ventured beyond the galaxies they controlled or were the dominant power in that the Asgard Fleet tracked there movements.
"Yes," Helena answered. "Our long range sensors have confirmed the presence of a cityship on the third planet of the system. So we will be stopping there for awhile to start repairing the more serious damage and start off loading out wounded. I just hope that the specialist medical equipment that cityships carry is up to the task of dealing with the burns caused by the unknown radiation."
"Indeed," Thor agreed – he'd spoke with a number of Asgard healers on those Asgard ships that had survived the battle about the radiation left behind by the alien weapons. Like their Tau'ri and Jaffa counterparts the Asgard healers were somewhat stumped as to how to deal with the radiation. It was completely different to anything they'd seen before though they had discovered it was somehow linked to dark matter interacting with the antiproton base of the alien plasma balls. With the medical resources they had on hand they'd been able to do little more than relieve pain and slow down the effects of the radiation poisoning. Poisoning that seemed to be causing some sort of cellular breakdown at the molecular level. Hopefully the Alteran database that all Atlantis-class cityships had copies of would be able to provide some answers.
"We must hope that some answers can indeed be found in the Ancients medical database," he said.
"Indeed or a lot of people are going to suffer very painful, lingering deaths," Helena agreed. "We've haven't got enough stasis chambers in the fleet for all the radiation victims on top of those critically injured during the battle."
"Yes I am aware," Thor answered fully conscious of how many Tau'ri, Jaffa and fellow Asgard had already died or ascended in one form or another from radiation burns and other injuries sustained during the battle. Injuries that ranged from electrical burns to decompression related injuries to blunt force trauma from being slammed into bulkheads and decking.
A series of faintly musical, crystalline bleeps sounded from one of the consoles before Helena could reply. "Admiral, Supreme Commander we're crossing into the Datura System," navigation reported. "Normal space reversion in ten seconds."
"Very well," Helena said. Thor for his part put one of his small hands on the back of the command chair to wait for the jump back into normal space. Human and Asgard alike kept there eyes focused on the high resolution screens at the front of the bridge showing the shimmering blue tunnel of hyperspace knowing in seconds it would vanish as if it had never been there at all.
Space in high orbit of Datura Three warped and distorted as over a massive front it was subjected to tremendous stress from within. Under assault from hundreds of powerful subspace fields the barrier between normal and subspace warped then tore open with a silent roar. Hyperspace window after hyperspace window burst into existence in orbit, swirling vortices of aquamarine light and raw subspace energy.
The first ships to emerge from the gaping rents ripped in space-time were the fleets escort ships – those few that had survived. Tau'ri Windraker-class destroyers and Asgard Jackson-class ships streaked into normal space – many of them sporting battle scars and missing segments of hull from where alien plasma blasts had punched through their shielding to cut into their armour. Following them came the first of the bigger ships, including the disc-like shapes that Jaffa motherships had evolved into from the tetrahedral ships employed by the Goa'uld and the sleek knife-like forms of Tau'ri Agamemnon-class heavy cruisers, following them came the heavier ships still including the Asgard O'Neill's and Tau'ri Charon-class battleships finally the biggest ships emerged from hyperspace including the big disc shape of the Jaffa command mothership Bra'tac's Wisdom and the five kilometre long behemoth that was the Tau'ri Rampart-class super dreadnought Repulse.
After rapidly decelerating the still intimidating collection of somewhat battered and battle scarred warships slipped gracefully into orbit of Datura Three. Gliding into the high orbital space between the planets uppermost atmosphere and the orbit of the planets moon. As soon as the armada established a stable orbit they powered their sublight engines right down, only providing them with enough power to remain in orbit. Some squadrons of fighters began to launch from the Tau'ri and Jaffa ships forming a combat space patrol around perimeter of the battered fleet even though it was hardly necessary as they were well within the formidable protective envelope of Datura's Spartan-class orbital defence platforms. Still after all they'd been through the Tau'ri and Jaffa commanders stuck to protocol not taking any chances with the fleet's safety whatsoever.
Flag Bridge
TFS Repulse
The chime of an incoming hail sounded across the deck of the flag bridge. "Admiral we're being hailed by the cityship Alderaan," communications reported. "Governor Carter wishes to speak with you."
"Put the governor through," Helena instructed already knowing what the good governor would probably want. Alderaan's powerful long range sensors would have detected the fleet approaching sometime ago and been able to determine that the hyperspace vector was projected to terminate at Datura, which would have given Governor Carter and his or her staff a small amount of time to prepare for there arrival. Governor Carter probably wanted to know the fleet's status – though Helena wouldn't be surprised if he or she knew already as Alderaan was bound to have scanned them by now.
"Yes ma'am," the communications officer answered before giving the mental command to the console to open the communications channel.
Immediately a holographic screen coalesced into existence in front of Helena and Thor showing the face and upper torso of a man who looked to be in his early to mid fifties. Though the apparent age was deceptive, given modern medical technology and anti-aging drugs Helena knew that Governor Carter would actually be closer to a hundred than he was to fifty.
"Admiral Hawkins, Supreme Commander Thor welcome to Datura," Governor Carter said. "I'm Governor Richard Carter."
"Hello, governor," Helena answered.
"Greetings Governor Carter," Thor added.
Carter inclined his head in acknowledgement of their greetings. "We scanned your ships just after you came out of hyperspace," he said. "Leia informs me that a number of your ships have suffered considerable damage," considerable damage, that's an understatement if ever there was one, Helena thought as the governor continued. "How can we help you?"
"What we need most are medical supplies and the use of your infirmaries," Helena answered. "There are a great many people in the fleet suffering the effects of poisoning by a radiation form that we've never seen before. We'd like to transfer some of the more serious cases down to your infirmary either for treatment or transfer via Stargate to more advanced facilities elsewhere."
"I anticipated that would be one of your requests. A number of our puddle jumpers have been loaded with medical supplies, they'll be sent up to your ships shortly. Medical personnel are also standing by to receive wounded. I also have a number of engineers and technicians ready to transport up to assist with repairs to damaged systems."
"That would be a big help, Governor Carter," Thor replied. "The engineering and damage control crews even on my people's ships are stretched to the limit in their attempts to isolate or repair damaged systems. However as your people would say it is an uphill battle given the continuing system degradation being caused by the lingering presence of the unknown radiation form."
"Forgive me supreme command but what does the lingering radiation have to do with ongoing system degradation?" Carter asked.
"The alien radiation is attacking the molecular structures of control crystals, control stones and power relays," Helena answered. "Its somehow disrupting them; causing the sub-molecular matrices to fall apart, quite how it is doing that we do not know. Neither do the Asgard – no one in the fleet has ever seen this kind of radiation signature before."
On the holographic screen Governor Carter frowned in confusion and concern. Control crystals and Asgard control stones had always been largely unaffected by radiation in the past, while radiation forms did exist that could muck up power systems and cause overloads he had never heard of a radiation form that could damage control systems. Certainly damage them enough to cause the sub-molecular circuit pathways inside the matrix of the crystals to degrade. It was a worrying development as almost every known technology – with the notable exception of the organic technology of the Wraith – was heavily dependant on the use of control crystals or control stones. Anything that could cause failures in the crystals was… worrying to say the least.
"I see," he said. "If you send us down some of the crystals I'll get some of my scientists to start examining them, see if we can get to the bottom of the mystery."
"Some of my people's scientists have already begun examining the problem," Thor answered. "They are of course willing to work with you on this issue. It is imperative that we get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible."
"Indeed," Helena agreed. "I'll have some of the compromised crystals sent down on a jumper. I don't want to risk beaming them down."
"A good precaution," Thor replied. "Given how fragile the compromised crystals are it is very likely they would not survive the effects of a transporter beam."
"I'll tell me scientists to expect them," Carter said. "Admiral, Supreme Commander is there anything more that I can do for you?"
"Yes, Governor Carter," Thor said. "With your permission I would like to transport down to Alderaan and use your Stargate. I must return to Orilla to meet with the Asgard High Council as soon as possible."
"Easily done," Carter replied.
Thor nodded his thanks in a subtle, Asgard fashion. "Then with Admiral Hawkins permission I will transport down immediately," he said.
"Of course, Thor," Helena replied gesturing to one of the security marines. "This marine will escort you to a region of the ship not covered by transport inhibitor fields and beam you down to Alderaan."
"Then I will take my leave of you, Admiral Hawkins," Thor answered with another subtle Asgard nod before leaving the flag bridge, accompanied by a marine who in typical Tau'ri fashion shortened his stride to allow the much smaller alien to keep pace with him.
Helena watched Thor leave before turning back to the communications screen where Governor Carter was still waiting patiently. Seeing that her attention was now back on him the governor spoke up.
"Is there anything else that I can help you with, admiral," he asked.
"Not right now, governor," Helena replied. "I believe that everything has been covered."
"Very well then," Carter answered. "If you'll excuse me I will see to the dispatch or the relief units to your ships."
"Of course. And thank you."
"You're welcome, I just wish there was more we could do for you."
"You're doing plenty now, governor."
Carter smiled and nodded before breaking the communications link from his end. The holographic screen evaporated with no fuss at all, literally vanishing into thin air as if it had never been present at all. Helena sighed softly and leaned back in her seat.
"Instruct all hanger bay crews to stand by to receive puddle jumpers from the planet," she ordered. "And advise medical that the medical facilities of Alderaan have been placed at our disposal."
"Yes ma'am," came the response from a number of consoles.
"I'll be in my ready room," Helena said getting up. "Inform me the moment that supplies begin being distributed to the fleet."
"Yes ma'am."
Alderaan
A Few Moments Later
Supreme Commander Thor blinked his large black eyes as the transporter beam from the Repulse released him. Glancing around Thor noted that he had been dropped right off in the middle of Alderaan's Stargate Operations/Main Control centre – specifically at the foot of the ornate stairs that led up to the mezzanine levels that housed the control room and governors office on one side and a meeting room on the other. He guessed that Governor Carter had ordered that the inhibitor field that normally prevented someone beaming into the cities core tower from outside the city deactivated. It was logical as it would make transporting supplies and injured to and from the cityship that much easier.
Turning in place Thor examined the large room with curiosity, despite having dealt with the Tau'ri for centuries now he had rarely had a chance to go inside a cityship. Not for the first time he was impressed with their skills in mimicking the Ancients technology while at the same time putting their own unique spin on it. The elegant if somewhat Spartan design of the gateroom with its copper and tan coloured walls with inside crystalline lights and vaulted ceiling ending in the hatch to the jumper bay overhead would appeal to both Ancients and Tau'ri alike.
Directly in front of him on the opposite side of the room, back dropped by ornate crystal windows through which the bright light of Datura's star shone, was the Stargate. He noted that it was the same mark of Stargate as those the Ancients had constructed in Pegasus – its presence was not particular surprising. The Tau'ri had been steadily replacing the older clunky mechanical Stargates with the newer type gates over the last century or two – ever since they had learned to make Stargates themselves. Even with their efforts – and providing the Jaffa with the newer model gates to deploy on their worlds – it would be a number of decades yet before the last of the surviving mechanical in this galaxy gates was retired in favour of the Pegasus variant.
"Supreme Commander Thor," a male Tau'ri voice said from above and behind him. Thor turned and looked up to see Governor Carter leaning on the control room railings looking down at him. "We're ready to dial Orilla for you."
"Thank you, Governor Carter," Thor replied. "And thank you for letting me use your Stargate."
"It's no bother, Thor," Carter answered. "If the rumours I've heard are true the Asgard High Council are up in arms about all that has happened to the Fourth Fleet. It is no surprise that you need to return."
"Indeed," Thor said. "Whoever they are the aliens who attacked us have proven themselves to be an enemy of the Asgard, and we will deal with them accordingly."
From where he was standing Richard Carter inwardly shivered. He knew what that meant, the Asgard were almost certain to declare war upon the denizens of the dark matter galaxy. It was no surprise for though they were slow to anger the diminutive, grey skinned aliens were a devastating force when their wrath was aroused – the destruction of so many Asgard and Asgard allied ships and the loss of so many lives Asgard, Tau'ri and Jaffa alike – was something that would awaken the sleeping dragon.
"Do you really believe war is coming, Thor," he asked.
"It is," Thor replied simply – he knew his people would never let the outrage the alien inhabitants of the dark matter galaxy delivered upon them go unchallenged. They had killed a great many Asgard – honour and the warrior's blood of their ancestors would demand they respond accordingly. And he was sure that the Tau'ri and Jaffa leaderships would react the same way.
"Then I'll let you go," Carter answered. "Good luck with the High Council."
"Thank you," Thor replied as the Human disappeared from the balcony into the main part of the control room. Thor turned his attention to the Stargate as it began to dial, he paid close attention to the gate watching as the symbols on the inner ring changed, chasing each other across the rings surface making chevrons light up with blue light. In mere seconds – far quicker than the older gates could have dialled it – the full address for Orilla was entered into the gate and the Stargate – one of the greatest of all the Ancients creations – surged into life. The unstable vortex of an activating gate bursting halfway across the gaterooms length before collapsing back into the softly rippling surface of the wormholes event horizon.
Calmly and with the normal oddly fluid gait of the Asgard Thor walked across the floor of the gateroom until he was right up to the shimmering silver-blue surface of the wormhole. He took one last look around before stepping through, the molecules instantly being disassembled by the gate and hurled the millions of light years through subspace to Orilla. And a meeting with the Asgard High Council – a meeting that for the first time in nearly six hundred years would lead the Asgard to war.