Renati's re-education
Tavalan is a quiet planet with a standard population of around 55,000. This number is frequently boosted as the planet's beautiful environment is inviting for a gathering of any kind.
The planet has an almost Mars-like tectonic composition without the extreme desert conditions. Instead, it is very rich in water, partially because of the Minbari's terra-forming.
Tavalan was one of the first planets the Minbari terra-formers were let lose on, thus carries the result of many experimental techniques. The shrine of Jonalla in the city of Ninashi owes its lush gardens to these scientific endeavours.
Renati couldn't help finding the planet to be an odd sight when viewed from orbit. Its nearly clear atmosphere allows the visitor to see right through to the planet's surface, the beautiful intertwining of red and blue hues.
The planet was protected by a single Shen'Tan space station: a typical Minbari relocatable platform with enough firepower to fend off intrusions by enemy crafts. The planet itself was favoured by the Worker and Religious Caste, so the Moon Shields had no hope for any unexpected help on their endeavour.
Renati closed her eyes as the transport ship took her down. There were no butterflies in her stomach on the descent, this was no alien spacecraft but Minbari technology made to perfection.
A pity, she thought, for the only good thing about off-world transport was the little adventure rush they give you when they land.
When the hatch released Renati after touch down, she noticed Lana waiting to greet her. She did not know Lana personally, but the files she had studied have given her an insight as to what the Anla'Shok project leader of this endeavour is like.
Lana is the descendant of a family of Anla'Shok, both her mother and father still serving in the order. When she wears the pin, she wears it with pride. No drooping shoulders, but the shine of the sign reflecting in her eyes.
Lana is one of the rooted envoys of Lennon, one who does not stand for the condescension many carry for the agents of the universe. She is also one who puts her many influences to use, for better or worse. One is advised not to cross her, or one just may miss out on the invitation for the next important meeting – or worse.
Lana had the power to pull the social rug from under your feet and smack you in the head with it. Fortunately for the Minbari people, she was not a vengeful one. She was of course one the Tea circle had their eye on.
"Anla'Shok Lana", Renati bowed.
"Anla'Shok Renati. It is good to finally meet you", the excited female spoke. She was around Renati's age, but carried great enthusiasm for this meeting. Renati's reputation preceeded her and Lana had a soft spot for the rebellious. Renati was proof that the Anla'Shok were not a bunch of washed out wrinkled Religious Castes sitting in a corner prophesising about Valen and the return of the Enemy.
She was the maverick who, granted, kicked the wrong shins on occasion, but mostly reminded society that there is passion and zest in the Anla'Shok.
The only thing Lana regretted was that her partner Varas was not joining her on this mission. She too was a great example to the younger recruits, though neither females had any idea of their growing importance.
"Likewise. I regret we have not met before, for your reputation precedes you", Renati hinted at the Anla'Shok's inventive ways of getting information.
"In a good way, of course", she added. She did not know if Lana would respond well to her idea of humour, it was best not to take any risks.
"Is there any other?", Lana replied joyfully.
"I have been aboard a ship packet with Warriors for weeks now, trust me there are many other ways", she joked.
Lana laughed politely, but also wanted to test her companion's wit.
"Rumour has it you do not mind spending time with the Warrior Caste", she confronted her.
"I never said I mind", Renati quickly recaptured, "They have merely opened my eyes to oher possibilities"
"Opened your eyes?", Lana said with a challenging tone as they paced together into the compound.
"I have been given the task of asking for your assistance", Renati changed the nature of the conversation .
"I figured as much when I saw the crew complement of the guards", she smiled, "The Tiris is seriously understaffed"
"At the moment they are. That is why I assisted the Shai Alyt in changing some of the positions assigned to Anla'Shok, optimising our intervention", Renati explained.
Lana stopped her pace for an instant and looked at her colleague – baffled.
"You corrected a Shai Alyt's battle plan?"
"Of course, he was very receptive of my suggestions", Renati replied, oblivious as usual.
Lana controlled her urge for making a snite remark, but instead chose to direct her fire at her counterpart.
"So the Warrior Caste requires assistance from the Anla'Shok? Who would have thought we would live to see the day they admit they need us!", she exclaimed.
"As it stands, they have given quite a bit to the Anla'Shok as well. Or rather, to whoever is near the Tiris in time of need"
Lana looked puzzled, but ready to receive the information. She hadn't heard this before.
"Varas and myself were granted transport by Sharlin to the Gaim homeworld", Renati grinned as far as her lips went back.
Lana felt a rush of envy overcoming her, but quickly pushed it down. Public transport to anything in that sector was hell. Any Anla'Shok avoided going there as much possible. After all, what is more delightful than being stuck with telepathically connected instects mingled amongst Brakiri on a ship for weeks.
"Well that's hardly low-profile of you", she tried a come-back nonetheless.
"The crew didn't mind", Renati enjoyed the slight envy her confrere's thoughts carried.
"And hyperspace is free for all"
"Of course, and if you run into any kind of problem in the system, help is only a Sharlin away", Lana joked. She would have to remember this next time she travels off-world.
What was the name of the Shai Alyt again?
"As you see, I would consider it a personal favour if you would help me assisting the crew of the Tiris with their 'guard duty'", Renati insisted.
Lana smiled, warm this time, no longer envious. It was not the type of envy that carried jealousy, but the envy that regretted missing the moment.
She wished she could have been part of it, but perhaps if she helps out the Warrior Caste, she will not have to worry about getting to the Abbai delegation in one piece the next time she needs some delicate information.
"I will convery the plans to the others, all will be in place as expected", she assured her new found friend.
"Thank you, Anla'Shok Lana"
It took Shai Alyt Naroon ra Shaibar'nik only forty-five minutes to get everyone – sky and ground – into place. A bit long too his liking, but then again communication with the Anla'Shok had not always been optimal.
Some of his crew had tried giving direct orders to them, but for some reason the Religious Caste did not react well to commandment by Warriors, though the Worker part followed without question.
This had lead Naroon to encouraging the crew to sticking to the original plan: use Renati – and Renati alone – as liaison.
Another reason why he hated politically tainted missions such as these.
When the telepaths arrived on the planet, he was shocked by their chaotic nature. Instead of nicely heading towards the main meeting hall, they tend to cluster in groups of three or four in separate rooms.
As he had neither the manpower nor the patience for protecting them on that level, he ordered all smaller rooms locked, forcing them into only three locations: the main meeting hall, the smaller private sessions room and the garden.
Three Warriors constantly overlooked the endeavours in the garden, making use of the situation for doing some information gathering themselves.
Not everyone had a stationary position though: Renati was the one walking up and down the compound, heading from post to post to double check if everything was alright. Not that she minded, travelling around was something she was good at.
When the Telepath gathering was one hour on its way, it was time for her next round. She took the route around the main hall and overheard some of the lecture an older telepath was giving to the public's hungry ears.
She did not mind telepaths. Just as every other Minbari, she had great respect for them, she just didn't want to become one of them.
Confined to the earth of Minbar? Eternally doomed to adventures lacking suspense?
Never.
Down the hallway she saw the silhouette of the Shai Alyt. Momentarily she did feel the butterflies creep up.
Renati swallowed and smiled sheepishly when he turned her way.
He walked over to ask for a debriefing or perhaps a casual chat, Renati would never know. When they were about ten meters removed, their armguards bleeped simultaneously. She wanted to ignore the screech of the infernal device and concentrate on what was ahead of her, but duty left her no choice.
"There's a Human ship entering the system", Fara's voice alarmed the twosome.
"A Human ship? How in Shintavi's(1) name did it get here?", Naroon cursed.
"I have no idea. We-"
"What kind of cruiser is it? Armourment, size? Report Fara!", he cut her off, close to losing his temper.
As if this make-shift mission couldn't get any worse…
"It's a one-man shuttle, reconnaissance by the looks of it"
"Send two Nials to capture it. Blindfold and sedate, give him the usual treatment until the event is over. We'll worry about it once this sherade is over. Be careful though, I have known several men to emerge from a one-man shuttle", he instructed her.
"Of course Shai Alyt"
Naroon based his shoulders and looked inspirationlessly at Renati.
"There's something that doesn't add up", she insisted, "A Human ship in the middle of Minbari space that hasn't been detected by any of our other ships?"
The Warrior contemplated on her comment, but another buzz from his armguard bothered him.
It was a moment before the reply came, and a good thing Naroon had not activated visual. After her moment's hesitation, a blank-faced Fara spoke: "He's heading for the planet"
"What do you mean he's heading for the planet? In Valen's name intercept!", Naroon commanded.
"We have the ship, but it launched a drop pod. Our calculations say it's in collision trajectory with the garden", Fara explained. Naroon's body boiled with anger.
"You will not hear the end of this!", he snarled at his Alyt's unprecedented mistake.
And she knew.
He did not have to command Renati, she was already on her way to the garden. Naroon called in several Warriors to apprehend whatever would come out of the shuttle, while Renati ordered the Anla'Shok to clear the area.
Two telepaths who were reluctant to withdraw from the beautiful environment of the Jonalla garden were treated to a cloud of murky dust and sand as the pod smashed into the ground.
"Get out!", Lana ordered them, this time not repeated.
Eleven fully-armed Warriors aimed their armguards at the pod's door, positioned in a crescent shape, their leader in the centre.
Suddenly, a shiney object flew through a crack between the hull and the door. With a reflexive move, Shai Alyt Naroon caught the device before it hit the Worker Caste Anla'Shok standing behind him. Expecting a grenade, the others instinctively ducked, but once Naroon realised what he was holding he told the others to stand down.
"Lower your weapons"
Trusting their commander even in a doubtful situation such as this, the Warriors obeyed. Naroon paced over to Renati and placed the item in her hand, the fires of anguish in his eyes.
"It's yours, handle it"
Renati did not understand his rage until she saw what he had given her.
An Anla'Shok pin.
"Is this Tuzanor by any chance?", a voice in Common disrupted the scene.
This is not happening….
"You!", Renati too spat poison when she saw a rumpled Marcus covered in the debris of his own shuttle. He must have purchased it with the last possessions he had – or he had gotten lucky and found one on Arisia. Whichever it was, Renati didn't care.
"You?", he replied surprised, "Is this Tuzanor then?"
"No, you're several planets off and lucky to be alive", she grinded.
"I know", he said while trying to climb out of the wreck. To his surprise, the Minbari helped him.
"No you don't. I've just cleared away the dozen Warriors that had a warm welcoming for you"
"And it's much appreciated!", he replied as inappropriately perky as only Marcus can.
"You owe me your life", she said bitter, "You will do as I tell you"
"Nothing new there", he sighed under his breath.
Renati bit her tongue in order to maintain her temper and snarled: "You will start by keeping your lips sealed and your thoughts to yourself"
Marcus did not attempt to counter the Minbari this time. He knew well enough when he was beaten. In fact, he was surprised that this one was sticking up for him. William must have truly impressed her.
The surroundings appeared like a magical world to him. Plants he had never heard of, flowers he had never seen and a sky so clear one would think it's crystal. He felt like a kid in a candy store, albeit one filled with angry aliens.
"Is there a room where I can secure him?", Renati asked Lana, who just gave her a confused look.
"Where they will not find him", she clarified.
"It's a bit late for that", Lana pointed at the dozens of telepaths peering through the glass on the upper level overseeing the garden.
Grand…
"I thought I asked you to clear the premises?", Renati stood like a commander with a disobedient crew.
"That's the corridor to the main hall. I can't just clear it out in two seconds because some Human comes dropping-'
"Alright alright, I'll handle it. Just make sure I'm not followed"
Lana did not take the irritated comment of her colleague personally, though she found Renati suspiciously overreacted.
"Wear it. If you lose it, you die", Renati said when she handed the pin back to Marcus.
The calm but beneath worried face of Fara appeared on screen of a communications console in one of the compound's smaller rooms.
"Yes?"
The Anla'Shok was calling her? This was either very good or very bad.
Did she feel lucky?
"I will be in your debt if you do this for me", Renati made it as quick and painless as possible.
"Intriguing", Fara replied, hiding her amusement.
Renati grabbed a hold of Marcus and put him in view.
"Ship him to Tuzanor"
A long period of silence followed in which it appeared Fara was debating with herself whether or not this was worth the Anla'Shok's favour.
"He is expected there", Renati insisted.
"I am?"
"Shut up"
"I will send a ship, make sure he's ready", Fara agreed, now having Renati in her hands.
"Thank you for everything", Marcus finally spoke again when the shuttle arrived. He had been quiet the entire time, though Renati did not realise yet how uncommon that was for him.
"I'm sorry for getting you in debt to… uhm…"
"A Warrior"
"A Warrior… right. I don't know exactly what the consequences of that are yet but-"
"I'm Religious. You will know soon enough what the implications are – if you survive the training that is", Renati warned him.
"…and she's Alyt on top of it", she grinded.
"Then I ensure you that I will put every fibre of my being to the fullest in completing the training and repay you", he stated valiantly, but left the Anla'Shok unimpressed.
"Yes", came her dry reply.
When Renati saw Lana approach in the distance, she suddenly felt like her mind was being touched. Reflexively she blocked out whoever tried gaining access, but gave it no further thought.
Down the hall a telepath collapsed with a nose bleed. His companions looked with fear at the Religious Caste, who shouldn't have had that effect on him.
Now that Marcus was secured and the telepath gathering well on its way again, Renati went looking for Naroon.
She was shamed by what had happened, even though it was not directly her fault, she took responsibility for it – as he probably blamed her for it anyway.
An apology was in order. He had been nervous enough about this event. The least she could do was give him someone to blame and vent his anger at.
When she passed some conversing telepaths in the hallway, she felt another scan. She turned, but they did not look at her.
However, the further down the hall she walked, the more telepaths scanned her. After a while, they even stopped hiding and stared her right in the eyes.
She tried to escape, away from the main hall, but around te corner waited a surprise. A group of ten stood there, waiting, looking at her and one by one scanning for her surface thoughts.
Renati felt like a rat being drawn into a corner. She paced backwards, fear in her eyes until she hit the wall.
Her heart stopped in her chest, her breath being caught.
What were they going to do to her?
The scene was interrupted by another summon from her armguard.
Bless that infernal device!
"Anla'Shok Renati, your presence is requested in the main hallway", one of the other Anla'Shok informed her.
She did not stop to think the hallway would probably be laden with even more telepaths – she just wanted to get away from these.
Without looking back, she sped off to the large aula and walked up to the front stage. Apparently the previous lecture had just ended.
The Anla'Shok that had called her stood next to a small old man, his ornamental garment indicating his importance. The fifty heads in the room followed her every move until she was in front of him.
Click.
The door closed. What in Valen's name was going on here?
"It's astonishing", the old man spoke while looking up at the large female in front of him. She was doing her best to hide her fear, but her thoughts betrayed her.
"What is, Master?", she replied, quivering.
"Indeed, Master", he spoke content, praising himself for his display of power.
"It's amazing how long you have kept it a secret"
Renati's eyes flashed at the Anla'Shok behind the Telepath Master, pleading for help.
"What secret?", he tried, but was met by a dreading gaze of all telepaths in the room. Clearly, he was not to be included in the conversation. His presence was already too much.
"How strong are you?", Master Kadroni wondered and tilted his head, like a predator confident with victory. The only thing missing was the licking of the lips.
Renati couldn't have given him an answer even if she wanted to. She decided to play it smart and held her tongue.
Master Kadroni forced the issue and passed her blockades, setting them aside as if they never were a bother in the first place.
Renati didn't feel it until it was too late. It didn't even hurt when he tore down her wall of resistance. Not that it gave a warm fuzzy feeling inside, but there definitely was a sense of surrender – albeit involuntarily.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous you are?", the Master angered when he retracted from her mind.
"I've never harmed another Minbari! I'm sure you have the ability to check", she said, not knowing of what had gone by earlier.
"I do not need to check, this is not the issue. You are untrained and thus dangerous. This charade ends here", he exercised his authority.
"I did not ask to be like this!", Renati protested, "I have chosen my path in life and will stand by it. I will not leave the Anla'Shok!"
Renati trembled as she tried to argue with the Grand Master. He could not do this to her, she would not let him.
"That is not for you to decide young one, and you know this. Otherwise you would not have kept it hidden for so long", he spat the accusation.
Renati was desperate. She would go Casteless before she would leave the Anla'Shok to join the Telepath Order.
"I would not recommend that course of action", Master Kadroni spoke, picking up her broadcasted thoughts.
"Stay out! You have no right-"
"I have every right!", he yelled back this time. This insolent female refused to obey, what was her problem? She should be grateful if one!
"You do not! It is not because you are stronger, you can pry on the weak", she yelped.
"But you are not weak", he commented with a sinister regard.
"Apparently weak enough"
"Stop making a fool of yourself. You will come with us and receive the proper training you should have had since crèche", he attempted to end the discussion.
"I will not become one of the Telepath Order"
"The decision has already been made"
"I will protest this with my elders!", Renati spoke in a last act of desperation.
Master Kadroni couldn't hold back a small train of laughter.
"Little child of Chu'Domo, I am your elder"
"Anla'Shok Na is my elder!", she snapped.
Again, this young female drove him to the limits of his patience.
"You will hold your tongue now before making it any worse. You will learn our way and some manners while we're at it! Insolent being! You should be at my feet with praise because I will take the time to teach you how to control the marvel you have been blessed with"
"I cannot learn, I have so many other things I still need to learn. I do not have the time", she cried.
"Time? That's your excuse? Really, you can't think of anything better? My child, we have all the time in the universe and for you, training will take up half of that", he threatened.
Renati was left with nothing. She had never been taken down like this by anyone, let alone one of her own kind, her own Caste even.
"I do not want to learn", was her final stand, but she know it did not stand for much of an argument. Her voice was less confident, slightly crumbing.
"Desire is not a privilege, it is a right you will have to earn", he spoke, feeling the imminent victory.
"Take her away", he commanded the two guards in the room.
Vreni looked at Kujar in question. That was Renati. Surely the telepath couldn't be serious about locking away one of their own?
As it was not a direct command from Naroon, Kujar remained in place. This was the only way he could stretch some time for his friend.
"Get me their leader!", the telepath spat at the insolence of the Warriors. The Anla'Shok did as he was asked, caught in something he had never wanted to be part of.
"What's the meaning of this?", Naroon sensed the hostility in the air, all eyes focused on Renati.
"Shai Alyt Naroon of the Shaibar'nik, please guide this one to my ship and place her in confinement"
Desperation cried from Renati's eyes as she beheld Naroon.
Don't let them to this to me!
"She has been insubordinate and needs to receive proper punishment", the Master clarified when sensing the Shai Alyt's hesitation.
Renati insubordinate? Rebellious, yes, but what could she possibly have refused to drive this telepath into such a burst of violent anger?
Impossible female…
"May I ask the charge?", Naroon gave the diplomatic approach a go.
"She has the gift, but has hidden it from us. She is to receive proper training so she is no longer a menace to society", the Grand Master dramatised the act.
Naroon felt his heart crumble.
Renati was telepathic?!
Anla'Shok, Alyt and telepathic? What else was there that she hadn't told him? What else was she hiding?
For an instant, the Shai Alyt forgot he was in a room filled with those who had the power to read emotions.
He let grief overcome him. Grief in realisation that if she was telepathic, she could never be with a Warrior, the council would not have it.
However it was not only grief that crept up, betrayal did as well.
Why hadn't she told him? Surely, he had proven his trustworthiness to her.
Or was her affection part of some Anla'Shok scheme to deceive the Warrior Caste?
Everything they had built up over the past few months shattered in his heart. The feelings, the caring, the love, the lust…
Any of those in his thoughts right now felt like needles pressing through skin, agonizingly painful.
How could she do this?
Naroon stopped himself from slipping further away.
I've been through worse, he comforted himself, although he was not sure whether that was true. It really hurt.
"Is it really necessary to hold her in confinement? After all, she is one of our own, regardless of her crime", he pleaded in her advantage nonetheless. He was not going to leave her to the mercy of an enraged telepath, regardless of their personal feud.
"Yes it is, for the environment is not as safe as originally perceived since it started raining Humans", the Grand Master put the Shai Alyt in his place.
Normally, he wouldn't have, but the amount of resistance his subjects were giving him was well beyond acceptable. It was time for him to cut out some veins.
"That was an Anla'Shok matter! The Warrior Caste has nothing to do with this!", Renati cried out in defence of the powerless Shai Alyt.
"Be quiet", Master Kadroni snarled.
"No! This is madness, you cannot lock me up! I am Minbari!"
"We're not locking you up", the Master argued her wording.
"You're putting me into confinement! That's equally bad", she protested.
"You will go into confinement, willingly or not", he threatened for the last time.
"I'm not going!", she cried like a little child.
That was it, the limit had been reached.
The telepath turned around to face Naroon and commanded: "Shai Alyt, I have neither the patience nor the time to deal with this. Do your duty"
It hurt him to see her so desperate and at the end of her dignity. She was ready to give it all up if only she didn't need to go with them. Naroon could only half grasp the fear she must have lived with, but he could not let compassion guide his decisions.
She had broken the rules, she is obliged to inform the Telepath Order of her gift, under any circumstance. It didn't matter if she had only known for a day or for years, she knew, but she did not speak up.
Did Akel know? Did Varas?
Again he shook the thoughts away. They were of no concern in the matter. She needed to be punished for her actions, penance was required.
But why did he have to be the one to exercise the order?
Regardless of the anger and betrayal in his heart, he had no desire for vengeance in such a manner. A good rant in which he can throw everything that's been bothering him at her yes, a sufficient beating – perhaps. But not this, not condemnation to a life amongst telepaths.
Renati's eyes welled up as she felt the Shai Alyt's hesitation. She read his doubts and part of his feelings. Naroon's head hurt as he felt her touch his mind. He winced in an attempt to keep her out.
"Insolent child!", the Grand Master yelled when he saw – and misinterpreted – what happened and got ready to put her out himself.
"No!", Naroon protested just in time, "We do not harm our own"
His words struck her more deeply than anything had before, for she knew he was not talking about her accidental mind scan. She had harmed him, in the worst possible way. His heart was now broken, never to be fixed.
A tear rolled across her shocked face when she realised the graveness of her error.When she looked at him, all she saw was pain. Pain, agony and betrayal.
"Naroon, don't-"
"Take her away", he commanded with a cool voice. Though internally he crumbled, neither his posture nor his face gave any indication of his imbalance. He was a Shai Alyt executing an order. Nothing more, nothing less.
We all give orders we don't want to give. This was Naroon's .
Footnotes
(1) - Shintavi: Founder of the Shaibar'nik. Infamous for his disputes with his second-in-command and settler of the Shaibar'nik defensive nature.
Next chapter: The Awakening of the Soul.
Coming soon!!
