A/N: I remember somewhere where the literal translation of Anla'shok is "Application of Force" shok being force or power (Fayzhan shok – apply full power or ahead full power). Ranger being someone who works across a range – each usually protects his own range. I've been googling it and can't find it. Do I have my head up my own ass?
And we're still in the "everything is rosy" stage. We'll get to possible religious hardliners from the Colonials, Cylons meet aliens, reactionaries from Earthgov, and Aliens who want to interfere stage.
The whole reason for picking the points in each show is that this was before Battlestar Galactica went completely mental with the Colonials killing their own people and it was an interesting point in B5. I'm going to have to use All Across the Watchtower in a few chapters – and I have to figure out how in the hell that mixes in there. I read a fanfiction where it was used as a password and that was interesting but the tune IS used IN the show, not as backdrop. Which makes the timing of both Canon battlestar galactica completely wacky (although Anders playing it could be complete chance) and it makes it very hard for my story. But I intend to figure out a way to explain it.
Marcus was on the Phoenix, which was now berthed on the Pegasus. G'Kar and Tory would return to Babylon 5 and work out an agreement between Narn and the Twelve Tribes.
He would report to Sheridan, what he could, and then take command of White Star 27. White Star 36, with Sharon Valerii on board, would travel on the Pegasus as well. Sharon had agreed to use her Cylon nature to help pinpoint the jumps that were required. She had finally showed Adama how a small incision provided an access port. She could hook up to a computer, specifically the Pegasus's jump-controlling computer.
This would not have been as effective on Galactica – the older Battlestar was too analogue.
Adama had listened to her explanations and then said, "You're entire job is to assist with stellar cartography as regards FTL jumps. You are to stay in CIC or in quarters nearby. And under no circumstances are you to endanger your child by exposing yourself to any unnecessary danger." Sharon had only nodded. Her tentative loyalty to Adama was strengthening.
Marcus also had the material that the President had authorized Babylon 5 to broadcast with the request that it be broadcast quickly.
Marcus' voice and face had been altered, and notice would be put on the broadcast to "protect his privacy".
Earth Alliance would either not say anything or certain facts would come to light. As soon as the broadcast was sent, Babylon 5 would transmit a message from the Twelve Colonies. It included a video file which was not referred to or broadcast. A message was attached saying that the Twelve Tribes would keep it confidential in exchange for Earth Alliance refusing to comment on the "editing to respect a private third parties' anonymity'.
Marcus smirked when he remembered the final departure of the shuttles from IO.
Flashback
One of the Colonial marines had come up while Marcus was seeing them off. The Colonial had spoken and then Marcus had translated.
"Mr. Lantze. There is something you forgot." Marcus had then accepted the item and handed it over. "This tracking beacon was accidentally dropped by one of your Security escorts. It is likely valuable. Tory Foster, who was alerted to it by the Colonial marines, said this: 'We will assume it was an accident. I don't know what it is but it would violate all diplomatic protocols for it to be something which violated Colonial soil when all parties acknowledged the diplomatic nature of the ship. Return it to them and ask them to instruct their men to be more careful with their equipment'."
Lantze accepted it with a mild wince. "Er. Yes. I'm certain it was an unintentional mistake."
Marcus smiled and ensured the hatch closed.
End Flashback
He was about to get up and go talk to G'Kar (he was bored) when a Colonial marine arrived. "Ranger Cole."
"Yes?"
"Your presence is urgently being requested in the Phoenix control center regards a message."
Marcus nodded and stood up. He knew the way and did not wait for escort.
When he got there, the Phoenix pilot pointed to the non-Colonial comm. system that had been installed. "Message from White Star 42."
Marcus sat down and switched it over to voice. "White Star 42, this is Ranger Cole on the Phoenix berthed in Galactica."
"Ranger Cole. We received a call from En'til'zha Delenn. She urgently needs to speak to you on the matter of the Colonials."
"Can you connect me?"
"She is standing by. I will connect you now."
Suddenly the voice chanced. "Marcus."
The watching Colonials noted the immediate change in the bearing of their visitor. Until this moment, he had been either a background element (when he translated), a steady element (when waiting), or even a strong one (commanding his ship). And even Captain Sheridan on Babylon 5 had only made him respectful. Until now they had not seem him reverent. It was apparent that this woman who spoke commanded him, and he followed willingly.
"En'til'Zha Delenn. How may I be of service?"
"John has been sending me alerts as to the Colonials and what's been done. From what I've heard, you have done an excellent job. I would have liked to come meet them but I am still working to help overcome the effects of Civil War. The Grey Council has been reconstituted, Neroon having sacrificed himself to ensure that the hardliners were not left in charge of our people or his caste, but still it is fragile in its newness. Which brings me to why I am calling you."
"We live for the one, we die for the one. Ask and I will provide."
Delenn's tone showed gratitude. "From what I understand, the Colonials have spoken to the League and have visited Earth. G'Kar is even there now. The Warrior Caste has heard rumor of a newly discovered Human people, not of Earth, and they have heard of technology that the Minbari do not have. They are agitated. I must urgently request a visit by these Colonials to address the Grey Council and the Warrior Caste. I would not ask if it was not vital and urgent."
Marcus thought furiously. "We must return to Babylon 5. And then their largest carrier is returning to their former worlds to save as many survivors as possible."
"What direction will they move in?" Delenn asked.
"The plan is to move to Babylon 5, move to Sector 80 from there, and move beyond it to the Trinary System known to Earth as," and he gave the Minbari name. He was free to do that as Adama had told him to inform his superiors of whatever was necessary to ensure that the White Stars could assist.
Delenn paused. "How can that be? That sector of space is closed to us. No ships can traverse it – that is why Sector 80 is considered unimportant other than as a training area for Drazi and other alien governments."
"That is the technology that the Minbari do not have: A drive which can move a ship from one point in space to another, bypassing hyperspace travel entirely. It takes effort, energy and extreme calculation. But that is the method used."
"In Valen's Name. This may spark a crisis. We must have the Colonials come. Minbar's future may depend on it."
"I will need to consult Admiral Adama. White Star 36 is on a bay on Pegasus. I will bring him to its bridge and I will call you from there. You will have to make a personal request to him. He is a man of honor, and duty. He is not so callous so as to ignore the implications of his actions. But he is charged with the safety of his people. Please remember that, En'til'Zha. This request might require payment in the blood of his people."
There was a long pause and then Delenn said, "I understand. I will do all I can to ensure that there is as small an interruption as possible."
"Very well. En'til'Zha Vene, In Valen's Name." The traditional salute to the Anla'Shok'na was the only answer he had to the hard request that had just been made to him. He greatly wished to say it was impossible and to convince Delenn that it was so. But he was a Ranger. He lived for the one, he died for the one.
He quickly stood and said to the man who had brought him. "I need to see Admiral Adama, immediately."
Adama stood on the beautiful bridge of the White Star and waited as Marcus connected to his ultimate leader. He heard him speak and an answer. Adama noted Marcus' look of surprise. Marcus spoke "Stand by," which Adama had learned in Minbari and in English.
Suddenly, a visual field descended from the ceiling. And suddenly visible to him was an image of a woman. She was unlike other Minbari as she had hair as no other did. A younger Minbari stood next to her, with a worried look. And he had reason.
The woman looked as if she had survived a great ordeal and was still recovering. He could see the weakness she must be feeling, but had forced aside to speak to him. His respect for this woman grew.
The woman gave a respectful bow, her hands in a triangle shape, which he had seen other Minbari do. The man twitched as though to ensure he was in position to catch her if necessary. "In the name of Minbar, I am honored to greet you. I am Delenn of the Family Mir, of the Minbari Religious Caste, Ambassador of Minbar to Babylon 5."
Adama listened to the translation and gave a military bow in return. "I greet you in the name of the Colonial Fleet of the Twelve Tribes of Kobol. I am Rear Admiral William Adama, Commandant of the Colonial Fleet."
Delenn waited and then said, "I thank you for acceding to my request to speak to you. I know that your time is precious and that you are involved in a mission to save your people. And so I do not ask lightly."
Adama nodded respectfully.
"I am asking that you transit to your mission via Minbari space and I ask that you take time, precious as it is, to greet the Grey Council of Minbar, and to tell them the same information that you have told all other races."
Adama listened to the translation and then said, "I need to know why this is necessary. One leader of their people to another. This mission has been given over to my order. And it must begin soon. I need to know enough of the past and enough of the present to make a decision for the future. I do not need long explanations, but I need enough to know why you are so respectfully begging me to act. Be brief. I have not much time, and you are not strong as you have recently suffered."
Delenn became a little stoic. "Physical limitations are of no importance. I will bear what must be borne, for my people."
Adama respectfully replied, "And I respect that and admire the effort you exert. A brief telling of all factors might increase my understanding. Speak deeply, but quickly."
Delenn huffed and then gathered herself. "1000 years ago, during the last great Shadow War, Valen appeared to my people, a Minbari not born of Minbari. We had just suffered great loss and were wavering. He brought a station, a replacement for our forward base just destroyed. He acted swiftly to organize and unite my people and our allies. He instituted the Anla'shok which I now lead. And through his actions he brought us victory, and life.
"Before Valen, Minbari warred with each other. Mainly the Religious and the Warrior castes. We often forgot about the worker or ignored them. Even I have been guilty of that. But Valen's peace came. Minbari did not kill Minbari and so it was for a thousand years.
"17 years ago, our people were led by Dukhat. He was a wise man. Respected by all. He recognized that the Grey Council, and the three castes, were losing their interest in the prophecies of the past. That the Shadows would come again.
"He demanded understanding. And looking. And wisdom. He was leading us on that journey. I was Grey then, a leader of our people. I was Dukhat's student. And his friend. And when we encountered Earth Alliance ships, there was a great tragedy and the Earth Ships attacked. Dukhat, the greatest among us was killed.
"Because I ask so much, I will tell you what few outside of the Grey know. It was my vote which decided that the Earthers must be punished. In greif and pain and sorrow, I moved in a moment. And the Warrior and Religious castes moved as one – a terrible thing.
"It was decided that in payment for the death of the greatest of us, we would fight a holy war. Not of justice. Not of subjugation. But of destruction. And before I could act to change my mind, the whole of the Minbari people were united in purpose to kill the Earthers to the last.
"And although I tried to turn my people, they were inexorable. And when we finally arrived at Earth, in their home system, sheer chance led us to meet, in person, for the first time. A human. Sufficient reason and evidence was found to convince the Grey Council that the war of extinction must be stopped at all costs.
"The Warrior Caste had fought this war. Lost many members. And the Religious Caste was the voice giving the orders to surrender, on the very eave of our victory.
"And this was the first rift in between us. Greater than any since the time of Valen.
"And through the next years, many decisions were made which angered the Warriors but were done in answer to prophecy.
"In answer to prophecy, I underwent a change to what you see before you. And this, and prejudice against humans, was used to remove me from the Grey and to replace me with a Warrior, thereby unbalancing the Council.
"It did not help that the Humans, right after the death of their president, took the Commander of Babylon 5 and sent him to Minbar as Ambassador. They replaced him with Sheridan, whom many Minbari still called Starkiller for using guile and subterfuge to destroy the Black Star, the flagship of our fleet, and two other cruisers.
"The Warriors protested but the Grey Council and the Religious Caste allowed it. What is still unknown to a vast majority of my people is that the reason we surrended was that the Human we found at the battle of the Line was Jeffrey Sinclair. And our most holy relics said that he carried the soul of Valen. We stopped the war because we knew that reincarnated Minbari souls were born into Earth Humans. And Minbari do not kill Minbari.
"Sinclair was the first Ambassador. And Sinclair was made the head of the Anla'shok. And when he did so, he changed the rules. No longer would it only be Warrior Caste. All castes could join – and so could humans. Many Warriors resigned from the Anla'shok.
"And then, when the Grey Council led by the Warriors refused to see the evidence of the Shadows return, refused to get involved, I went before them and, as was told in prophecy, I broke the Council. And I led the workers and religious away to fight the Shadows. This was just as the Earth Alliance President acted so egregiously that Sheridan and many others could no longer support the President. And when Mars was bombed for daring to protest, other colonies declared independence. As did Sheridan. Immediately following the breaking of the Council, I led our ships to support our former most hated enemy.
"And then En'til'zha Sinclair was sent back in time a thousand years and changed to Minbari by technology obtained from the Great Machine on Epsilon, where Babylon 5 orbits, to be Valen.
"We found out that that the prophecies that had led us for a thousand years were not the result of visions, but the result of memories. Those of Jeffrey Sinclair, who became Valen, the greatest of us.
"And the Rangers remaining decided that I would become the new leader. I would become En'til'zha. The warrior, Neroon, who was the one who replaced me, even moved to prevent the ceremony which would install me, threatening to kill, despite Valen's ban.
"Marcus, who is translating, prevented him. And he did so with such honor and resolve that Neroon was moved to admit that I was the best to lead the Anla'shok.
"During the war, Sheridan and I became closer. Until we declared our intent to become one in marriage and life. It was the joy which held us together as we moved to gather, to organize, and to fight. And we forged the League of Non-Aligned worlds and the Rangers into a force large enough to threaten both the Vorlons and the Shadows, though we were still outmatched.
"And Sheridan enacted a plan to force all sides to meet. And then he and I used our gathered understanding, with the help of the first of all sentients, Lorien, that we no longer needed the guidance of the older races. They conversed and agreed. All first ones left.
"However, Earth immediately reacted poorly. It did not help that the current president was helped by the Shadows to become the President. They gave him power.
"And the resentments that had built up over so many years finally erupted. And for the first time in a 1000 years, Valen's peace was lost.
"So you see. It was my responsibility. I was the leader of our people. I started the war with earth. I ended it. I followed prophecy despite others insisting I wait. I broke the Council. I became half human. I paired with the Warriors greatest enemy.
"And so it was my responsibility to accept the price for all of my decisions and actions to end the civil war.
"Using Neroon's assistance, whose honor agreed with my purposes, I brought the end of our conflict in the Temple of Varenni. In ancient times, before the time of Valen, that was where the conflicts between castes were decided. In that temple is the Starfire Wheel. In that temple, I as leader of the Religious Caste surrendered to Shakiri, who led the Warrior Caste. And when he began to talk of the Warriors taking charge I protested.
"The Ancient Minbari knew that in war it is the young and the strong that are sent out to die. The leaders stay back in safety. In the Temple of Varenni that changed. The leaders of the Castes in contention would enter the circle under the Starfire Wheel. And then the wheel would open. Concentrated starfire would shine one those leaders. It would increase in strength until all those in the circle would perish at full strength. The first who left would admit that his caste was not fit to lead. The one who remained, who believed so much that they were willing to die, determined which caste would lead among us.
"This I had told Neroon I would do. Neroon, who believed in his caste and believed in honor, exhorted Shakiri to follow. And he did. However, when Shakiri could no longer stay, when he left the circle, I did not. Even though I had implied to Neroon when I told him of my plan that I would, I knew that the only way to ensure that my people understood was to remain and to sacrifice my life, to pay the full price of my decisions.
"Neroon protested. He entered the circle and retrieved me. And he took my place. While suffering agony he told my people that he was no longer warrior but religious. And he asked them to listen to me. And then he died.
"And so you see, it is necessary for me to do what is required to ensure the stability of my people. In recognition of all those that lost their lives. In recognition of Neroon. In recognition of my peoples' needs, Human and Minbari. And while I moved unexpectedly and placed the Worker Caste in ascendency, with the Religious and Warrior supporting, as it should be, it is my responsibility to ensure that nothing breaks this fragile structure that we have begun with. And your arrival with technology never seen could topple it.
"I must ask you to come before my people and greet them, and explain, so that no one moves on rumor and old fear. If it were any other race than Human, it would not matter. But our history involves humans – it has for a thousand years, though few know it. Humans are the only ones other than ourselves who could either save or damn us. So I beg you: Please come."
She bowed her head and waited.
Adama could not help but be moved by the request. The White Stars were vital to his success and undermining their leader would prove disastrous for the future. Finally he spoke.
"Can I ask some questions?"
"Yes," Delenn said, looking back at him.
"This Shakiri. What is his rank?"
"He has been the Shai Alyt. Comapred to Earth Alliance, that is General of the Fleet. He would not be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs because he would not, unless we are at war with other races, lead all forces. The other castes do have martial clans. Lennier is of the Third Fane of Chudomo, one of the clans who fight for the Religious Caste. The fifth Fane of Elleya. I am of the Tenth Fane of Elleya, where many religious leaders come from. There are others."
Adama nodded. "Would you say that Shakiri is a good Warrior? He is good with strategy and tactics?"
"Yes. He is Shai Alyt, though that might change because he suffered shame from leaving the circle first. I did not covet the idea of him leading all of Minbar, but his skill in battle cannot be questioned."
"I notice many of your ships have Star names. The White Star, the Black Star. The concept of stars is important to your people."
Delenn smiled. "We know that all of us, all life, was born in the stars. The molecules of our bodies all come from exploding stars. What we are is the same as what is found in the stars we see and the stars we travel. We are … star stuff."
Adama smiled at that.
"Then take this message to the Grey Council, the leaders of your people.
"Ask them to summon Shakiri, Shai Alyt of the Warrior Caste.
"When he has arrived, I want you to tell your Grey Council that the Fleet Commander of the Twelve Tribes of Kobol, our equivalent to the Shai Alyt, comes to deliver what has been delivered to all other races and governments.
"And then I want you to tell them that this is not the primary purpose of my arrival.
"I will ask Marcus to send to you the battleplans that have been created for the Minbari rangers who are commanding the White Stars that are coming with us. It includes all details of the entire mission. Tell them that my primary purpose in coming is to consult with Shakiri. Turn to Shakiri and give him a copy of those plans and ask him to review them and to see if he can improve them.
"And then tell him that I am coming on the Battlestar Pegasus, the largest and most powerful Battlestar that my people have left. I will arrive in one day. That is all the time I can afford to achieve his expert advice.
"And then tell him that I will not lead the Battlestar Pegasus. Commanding this ship is my son, the last living child of my family, the last of my Clan. And tell him that I will ask my son to invite him to witness this mission. To see the results of the attempted destruction of a people, 20 billion dead. He will see the price that was avoided in your own war with Earth.
"My son, leading our strongest ship, moves to rescue the final survivors of my people. Almost certainly there will be battle as my people work. And if he can improve our plans, more of my people, and my son, might have a better chance of survival. And then tell him that once that ship leaves that I return to my own Battlestar, Galactica, to watch over the rest of my people. Bitterly I take my place only to wait and hope for my son's return."