"They were warrior caste," Lennier examined the remains of the Minbari who were found
in the catacombs. Dr. Carter had been right, the bones had been very well preserved,
as had their possessions and clothes.

"Are you sure?" Dr. Kendle asked, not challenging, just curious.

"Positive, even before I saw this I was sure, these just confirm it," he held up a
long Minbari knife, "a member of the Religious or Worker castes, would not be carrying
this."

Dr. Foster was thoroughly interested, "You said you were sure before you saw the bones."

Lennier nodded, "The writing on the door was mostly about honor and while we all strive
for honor, the warrior caste takes it to a higher level."

Still," he said doubtfully, "I do not understand how they came to be this far from Minbar."

Carter was examining the knife, "Mm, it is quite a long way," she though about it for a
moment before saying, "I don't suppose they got lost or something."

That hadn't occurred to him, but he had to admit it was a good possibility. "It was known
to happen occasionally. A deep space patrol could've gotten lost more easily than today."

Kendle looked doubtful, "It's a long way to end up, even when lost. You'd think they would
have ended up someplace else long before they got here."

Carter snickered, "Typical males," she said, "won't stop and ask for directions."

Lennier shot a confused look at Foster, who only chuckled. He spread his hands out
helplessly and said, "I can't be sure of anything unless I see a journey log or something."

Foster and Kendle exchanged a look with Carter, who smiled knowingly..


"We found this along with one of the Minbari." Lennier looked at the book Carter had given
him with awe. It was large, ancient, and quite plain except for a few words which stated
that this was the journal of Shallen, captain of the Xanasar. He gazed at it a dumb wonder,
and tentatively opened it to read.

Carter watched him, slightly bemused. After a few minutes she put a hand on his shoulder to
get his attention. "Lennier, before you become totally engrossed with that, did you see
anything on the door that will help us open it?"

He pulled his attention away from the book to answer her question. "Ah no, there was more
about honor and something about 'finding the path home'," he shrugged and went back to
reading the book.

Carter indicated to the other two for a talk outside the tent. They followed her outside.
She looked at them both, "What do you think?"

Kendle said, "Well, if the way to open it isn't on the door, then that book is our best bet."

"It'll take him awhile though," Foster said, "that's a thick book, and Henry isn't known
for his patience." He looked at Carter, "he'll make you use the explosives long before that."

Carter nodded, biting her lip, then she smiled wickedly, "Let me deal with Henry."

Foster looked worried, "Pris, don't do anything-" he left it hanging.

"You worry too much," she turned to Kendle, "how's Huntington's little project going?"

"The diamond drill keeps burning out, but he should have a big enough whole tonight."

"Good, hopefully if we good look at what's inside, Henry will keep his shirt on."


Henry Devone stepped out of the cave where he'd been supervising the work. All of the noise
and confusion was too much for his already frazzled nerves. He didn't know what god he'd
offended to get this job, but he felt he'd made due penance for it. It was hot, sticky and
noisy, and he hated every damn minute of it.

Some distance away, there was a particularly thick group of Edenberry bushes, and he decided
that he would be shaded and have something to eat. Perfect. He went over and sat down among
them, munching on Edenberries.

Even here, he could hear Huntington drilling away and swearing whenever the drilling stopped.

Silence.

There was a rustle behind him, but he dismissed as a rodent.

He sighed, full of self-pity. If only he could get Carter to use explosives, but she didn't
want to damage the door. He didn't even pretend to understand archeologists and their odd
sentimentalism.

Another rustle. Christ! He couldn't get peace anywhere.

He got up and scanned the bushes behind him, looking for the bothersome rodent, and therefore
didn't notice the vines moving behind him.

The drill started up again, drowning out all other noise nearby.