Admiral G'Kern
stood on the bridge of his flagship the G'Daern. The ship had been
completed just over a year ago and he had taken command after leaving the
ISA's Joint Command Council to rejoin the Narn Fleet. The massive
Bin'Tak Dreadnought moved slowly through space, a massive green nebula
filling its viewscreens.
"Admiral, the
static discharges from the nebula are fouling up our instruments," the
scanner operator said.
"There is nothing
to fear, we are on one of the mightiest ships in the sector," G'Kern said
confident of his ship and crew.
The G'Daern continued
its voyage unconcerned when the ship began to buck wildly. G'Kern
fell to the deck as the ship began to list violently.
"Report," the
Admiral ordered.
"We are under
attack, defense grid of line hull breaches on four decks," someone reported
from behind him.
"Send out distress
signal," G'Kern ordered.
"We're being
jammed."
Admiral G'Kern
turned back to the ships main viewer to see the massive form of a Vyron
Battle Cruiser take shape. "By G'Quan," he whispered and it was all
over.
The G'Daern burned
with terrible fire as the Vyron fired their super weapon. The massive
ship turned away from the carnage it caused and jumped into the vastness
of hyperspace.
________________________________
Captain David
Fisher was startled out of a deep sleep by the sound of his link.
He picked it up and activated the small communication device. "Fisher,
go," he said into it.
"Captain," Commander
Alan Cone's voice came out of the speaker, "the NRS G'Daern has officially
been declared missing buy the Narn government. She has been missing
for over a week and we've been ordered to look for her."
"The G'Daern,"
Fisher thought out load, "isn't that G'Kern's ship?"
"Yes, sir," Cone
told him, "It is."
Fisher remembered
the Narn Admiral from the Vyron Crisis a few years back. He seemed
competent and certainly didn't deserve to disappear without a trace.
"Set course for
their last known position," Fisher ordered. "Let's go find out what
happened."
Official Earthforce
star charts called this area Nebular Cloud- 46 alpha, many in Earthforce
however called this green expanse the Aleutian Fields. The EAS Damocles
sailed through the green clouds like an ancient naval warship on a foggy
night.
"Anything yet,"
Fisher asked?
"No sir," Lt.
Cordane responded, "The Nebula is interfering with our scans."
"Let's bring
our defense grid online," Fisher ordered, "Just to be safe."
Suddenly the
sound of light impacts began playing over the hull. "What is that,"
Cone inquired?
Cordane set to
work, "It looks like debris," he answered.
"Debris?," Fisher
said puzzled stepping up to look at the data.
"Aye sir," Cordane
said, "Debris, lots of it."
"Is it the G'Daern?"
"It's hard to
say with all the interference," Cordane told him, "But I would have to
say that it is likely."
Fisher paused
for a moment shutting his eyes. "Commander, have a piece of that
debris brought aboard," he ordered, "Run whatever analysis you need to.
I want to know if that is the G'Daern."
"Come in," Fisher
said in response to the knock on his office door.
"Captain," Cmdr.
Cone said, "We have the results on the debris we brought in. It's
definitely Narn warship grade armor."
"So it is the
G'Daern," Fisher said.
"It seems that
way," Cone told him.
"Any idea what
did Cmdr.," Fisher asked?
"Not really sir.
But were are very close to Centauri space and there is some indication
of energy weapons fire on the debris. Maybe the Centauri had something
to do with it."
"Not likely,"
Fisher said, "Emperor Cotto has been trying to get the Centauri back into
the ISA since Sheridan died. I can't see him risking re-admitance
to start a new war with the Narn."
"The Centauri
have not always been trustworthy Captain," Cone said.
"True, which
is why I fear they will be blamed whether they're a part of it or not,"
Fisher told him. "Let's inform Earthforce, they can talk to the Narn.
Hopefully they'll be able to keep things under control till we get back."
"Do you really
think there could have been anyone else," Cone asked?
"I don't know
Alan," Fisher said quietly, "There just aren't that many ships that can
take down a Bin'Tak. The Centauri certainly have the power, but they
don't have any real motive. The Centauri have been working too hard
to rebuild their reputation, it doesn't make sense for it to be them."
"It could be
some rouge element of the Centauri Royal Fleet," Cone suggested.
"Maybe," Fisher thought
about it, "but it still doesn't work. The Octurian class are the
most powerful ships in the Centauri fleet. They just don't give those
ships to anyone, but only to extremely loyal officers. If it were
a small fleet intel would have discovered the movement of ships and the
G'Daern would have been more alert."
"Who else could
it be sir?"
"I don't think
I want to know Alan."
_____________________
"Ambassador please
sit down," President Delenn told the representative from the Narn Regime,
"I assure you we are doing everything we can to discover the identity of
those who destroyed the G'Daern."
"It is not enough,"
Ambassador Na'Toth told her, "Besides we already know who destroyed that
ship."
"You know nothing,"
Delenn told her the anger rising in her voice, "You only assume, and I
will not declare war or sit back while you declare war based on assumptions."
"Are we going
to be deceived again," Na'Toth screamed, "The Centauri have never been
worthy of our trust, they have been our enemy and yours for many years.
We cannot stand back and allow them to destroy our homes."
"Nothing of the
sort is going to happen," Delenn told her, "The Centauri are not strong
enough to face us alone. Without the Drakh they can not stand against
us, so they will not try."
"Your deluding
yourself Delenn," Na'Toth said before storming out of the Assembly Chamber.
The rest of the
ambassadors began mumbling to themselves as Na'Toth left. Some saying
that she was right others believing something else had occurred.
"Personally,
I think it was the Drakh," Ambassador Mandella from Earth said, "We haven't
heard from them in some time, and this is the exact situation they would
try to exploit."
Delenn regarded
the dark skinned human, "Explain she said."
"The Drakh want
revenge on the Centauri and us. What better way then to manipulate
us into a major war."
"No!," the Drazi
ambassador said, "Must be Centuari, they not be trusted."
"Enough of this,"
Delenn said, "We have more important business for the moment then recriminations.
We will examine the evidence when it is presented to us and then decide
on a course of action." In her eyes the gathered ambassadors saw
there could be no argument.
"Very well,"
the Drazi said.
"Good," Delenn
said, "then let us look at the Brakiri request for more Whitestar protection...."
_____________________
Susan Ivanova
hadn't been to Earth since she resigned from Earthforce. Now she
was the head of the Rangers, Ranger One, Entil'Zha and she stood just outside
the main offices of Earthforce. She walked into the massive structure
housing the military leaders of the Earth Alliance and walked to the receptionist.
"I'm here to she General Raindeck," she said.
The receptionist
allowed her to pass and Ivanova began walking down the halls of Earthforce
headquarters, or EFHQ as she had often called it. Ivanova passed
by familiar sites and faces and was suprised by how little the place had
changed in the last two years. She said hello to those people she
recognized but did not stop as she approached Raindeck's office.
THis is not going to be fun she thought.
She walked into
the office to see Raindeck sitting at his desk. He had not changed
at all, he was still a balding overweight old man with an undeniable presence
and an air of confidence that could not be ignored.
"General Raindeck,"
Ivanova said, "I have come to speak to you."
"Ivanova," Raindeck
said looking up from his work, "Well it has been a long time hasn't?
What is it that you want?"
"Your blocking
my Rangers in the investigation of the destruction of the G'Daern.
You will stop that now."
"Do you really
think you can come in here and presume to give orders to me," Raindeck
said, "You are not my superior, beside that Earthforce is running its own
investigation, your people would just get in the way."
"It is the Rangers
responsibility to investigate this sort of action to ensure no threat is
forthcoming, "Ivanova said, her voice beginning to raise, "So ,either you
turn over the investigation to me or I will go above your head and it will
happen anyway."
"Then that is
just what you're going to have to do," Raindeck told her.
"Fine, I thought
we could do this the easy way, without hard feelings, but you force my
hand. Good day General."
"So long, Entil'Zha."
"That rat bastard,"
Ivanova said as she left EFHQ. She can't believe she let him manipulate
her into losing her temper. Why was he trying to block this investigation?
What did he hope to gain? Surely he didn't want a war against the
Centauri, but that is what could happen. She continued to walk until
she arrived at her shuttle. "Take me back up to the Victory," she said.
As her shuttle
left the planet she wondered again just what was happening here?
___________________
"We've just received
word from the president's office Captain," Cone's voice came over the link,
"We are to withdraw from this investigation and turn it over to the Rangers."
"Very well Cmdr.,"
Fisher said, "as soon as the Rangers get here lock in beacon 1473 and take
us to the Orion transfer point."
"Aye Captain,"
Cone said and closed the link.
The Damocles
had been in region for nearly two weeks gathering samples from the wrecked
ship. They were able to confirm only yesterday that it was in fact
the G'Daern. The Damocles had moved out of the nebula and away from
the sensor interruption it caused. Using shuttles and thunderbolts
they had brought enough of the ship aboard to determine that it had been
destroyed by a military attack.
The question
remained however, who did this?
Fisher put his
blue jacket back on and began to walk for the door of his quarters.
He stopped short of the door, he had a fragment of a thought enter his
mind, though he couldn't quite grasp it. Deciding it was nothing
Fisher left his quarters and returned to his bridge.
"Status?," Fisher
asked as he stepped on to the bridge."
"All systems
ready sir," Cone reported, "All materials prepared to be transferred to
the Rangers upon arrival."
"Very good,"
Fisher said, "ETA on the Ranger ship."
"They should
be arriving at any moment, sir."
Just as Cone
had completed speaking a massive jump point formed just ahead of the Damocles.
Fisher looked out at the massive ship approached them. It was one
of the new Victory Class Destroyers that the ISA had built in the last
few years. The huge bulk of the ship hurled itself from hyperspace
with impressive grace for a ship of its size.
"EAS Damocles
this is the ISAS Victory, prepare to transfer all materials from the G'Daern
over to us immediately," a strong female voice demanded from over the ships
speakers.
"Victory this
is the Damocles," Fisher replied, "all materials are ready for transfer,
will begin to ferry them over as soon as your ready."
"We're ready
now Damocles."
"Very well,"
Fisher said, "shuttles launching. "By the way nice to talk to you
again Ivanova."
"Thank you Captain
Fisher," Susan Ivanova said, "Victory out."
"What was that
all about," Cordane asked?
"I would imagine
Earthforce gave her a hard time in taking over the investigation," Fisher
said.
Cone didn't respond
to that as the first shuttles began to leave the Damocles' hangers.
"It will take
about an hour to transfer all the materials over to the Victory," Cone
told him.
"Let's get it
done as soon as possible Cmdr. I don't want to stay here any longer than
I have to."
_________________________
The bridge of
the ISAS Victory was wide, spacious and functional. This ship was
the first of the new generation of Victory class ships to have been built
since their shipyards where destroyed by the Drakh in 2267. The Victory
was was begun four years previous in 2279 and corrected many of the originals
design flaws. The first two ships of this class were built in 2266
one was the Excaliber the other was the namesake of this ship, the Victory.
That Victory had been destroyed during the failed attempt by the Drakh
to invade Earth. The Excaliber had survived and still served proudly
with the ISA fleet.
The new Victory's
were even more powerful then the originals. They boasted increased
power to their quantum discharge guns and, fusion neutron cannons
giving the ship nearly twice the power of the prototypes. They also
had increased overall power meaning they could fire their super quantum
discharge weapon once but still had power for either weapons or maneuvering
unlike the original design which could do neither.
"Ma'am we have
completed bringing the wreckage and materials over from the Damocles,"
a Ranger named Benjamin Goldstein said. He was the Captain of the
Victory and on of the finest Rangers in the Alliance.
"Very good, Captain,"
Susan Ivanova said, "I'll leave the investigation in your capable hands.
Have my transport prepared I'm heading back to Minbar."
"Of course, Entil'Zha,"
Goldstein said bowing slightly.
Ivanova headed
down towards the hangers and her personal Hel'Zha fighter. The ships
lines were sleek and remenisant of a Whitestar. Only a handful were
ever built given the cost and this one had been modified to Ivanova's personal
tastes. Mostly that meant that it was faster tougher and stronger
than any other ship in its class. She climbed aboard the small craft
and activated its drive system. She noticed a insignificant whine
from her engines that told her the grav drive was slightly out of alignment.
Heads will roll she though as she speed from the Victory and out into space.
"Captain," Ivanova
said signaling the Victory, "let me know the minute you find anything."
"Of course,"
Goldstein replied.
"Good luck,"
Ivanova said as she activated the jump gate and entered hyperspace.
____________________