Chapter Six: Climax
For John Sheridan, it was a nerve-wracking day. The evidence that had been assembled was shown to the Alliance council. He could feel the desire for vengeance that emanated from many of the ambassadors. Then, of course, there was the Centauri reply to the evidence that had been accumulated. One word kept flashing in his mind: war.
For Group Commander Starbuck, it was an exhilarating, but ominous day. The fleet had been assembled and all the races were working well together. The fleet had planned to move the day before, but Starbuck had been a witness at the presentation that day. He planned to leave as soon as possible: if it came to war, the Primus would probably return to Centauri Prime. He wanted to get the fleet, more specifically, the Centauri battlecruiser, into hyperspace and communications silence; but first, he had a visit to make.
For Londo Mollari, it was the worst day of his life. His dreams of peace went crashing down the minute he heard Centauri Prime's response to the Alliance demands. It will come to war and we will lose. He would be leaving soon for Centauri Prime and he feared that he would never see Babylon 5 again. As Londo gathered his things to leave the station, his door chimed.
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"Enter!"
"Ambassador Mollari."
"Group Commander, coming to say goodbye to the condemned?"
"There's one thing I have to apologize for Ambassador before leaving."
"What? That battlecruiser? You are going to do the smart thing and take it with you, yes?" Starbuck nodded. "Why do you think I arranged my government to send it with your fleet? I see in you and your people a fire that will come to rule the galaxy. It is a fire you share with the rest of your human brethren, but it is much stronger with you. We Centauri are a dying people though and it is best that we find allies among your people. One battlecruiser will not make a difference with us at Centauri Prime, but, maybe, among your people, it will be our salvation."
With that, the Ambassador, suddenly seeming old and tired, left the room, hoping that his people would somehow find salvation from the madness that was engulfing the galaxy. Starbuck followed him out, planning to wait a few more days at Babylon 5, ostensibly to train, but really to salve his conscience and give the Primus a chance to leave.
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"Traitor's Bane ready for transit sir. Your flagship is fully at your disposal."
"Thank you Colonel. Group Commander, is Battlegroup One ready for transit?"
"Yes sir. The fleet can move out at your command sir."
"General Ryan, is Battlegroup Two ready for transit?"
"Yes Group Commander. All vessels prepared to jump to hyperspace."
"Commander Sirus, is Transport Group One ready for transit?"
"Yes sir. We can jump at your command."
"Excellent. Communications officer, signal to fleet 'Lock on to beacon 95T621 and enter the jump gate. Destination: Tor 621 and then, New Caprica.' "
The bridge of the battlestar erupted with cheers as the fleet entered hyperspace. They were going home.
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John Sheridan watched the Alexander maneuver from its station and head for the jump gate. He turned his eyes from the monitor to the other individuals in the room: Narn, Drazi, Minbari, Ranger, Brakiri, and Human. Each was a major commander in their respective fleet. They had been assembled to discuss the continuing war against the Centauri. Combat had been limited so far to Centauri vessels trying to break the blockade imposed by the Alliance. But that could change. Already, the Centauri had destroyed a jump gate; it was unknown whether that was an accident or an indication of things to come.
Sheridan had debated long and hard about letting the Colonial fleet go. Those battlestars and the Alliance taskforce with them represented a large concentration of firepower. But, in the end, he didn't ask the Group Commander to stay; he had asked enough of him already. It had been unnerving for a few days with a Primus docked next to the station, but it hadn't made any aggressive moves, nor had it obeyed orders from Centauri Prime to return home.
"Mr. President, we should strike the Centauri hard. I have had my staff prepare an operation that will cripple the Centauri fleet and leave their homeworld open to our fleets." The Narn warleader placed a data crystal into the slot next to the conference room monitor. The lines and arrows displayed a massive pincer movement of all the Alliance fleets. The attack would be made in a staggered movement, with each attack being stronger than the one previous to it. The Centauri reserve would move from sector to sector trying to contain the invasion, but the Narn's plan didn't allow the reserve enough time to do it. If they did nothing, the invasion would tear through the frontier. If they tried to stop an attack, they would hear about a larger one while still in hyperspace.
The Narn place was quite ingenious and corresponded with the one Sheridan had been developing, except for one minor detail. In Sheridan's place, the White Star fleet would be the first to reach Centauri Prime. In the Narn plan, the Narn fleet would have that honor. Even an idiot would know what would happen after the Narn fleet commanded the sky over the Centauri homeworld. Of course, to admit that fact would be politically incorrect.
"Warleader, your plan is admirable; however, I must reject it. I don't want a full scale war against the Centauri." Well, I guess I have to make sure my operation never sees the light of day, Sheridan thought to himself. "I want this war to end with a minimum of bloodshed on both sides."
The meeting didn't last long after that. Some more discussion occurred about the current state of the fighting and possible Centauri plans. Sheridan quickly returned to his quarters after the meeting, hoping to get in contact with Delenn. She was at Minbar trying to garner support for his plan for cruiser and destroyer vessels for the Alliance. The idea had been in his head for a while, but a look at the battlestars and basestars had convinced him that the Alliance needed something bigger than the White Stars.
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Michael Garibaldi put down his glass of whisky and looked at the message the Narn warleader had sent to the Narn fleet defending the Narn- Centauri boarder. Fortunately, he had used a code his people had broken a week before.
"Computer, open a channel to President Sheridan."
"One moment please.President Sheridan's line is occupied."
"Close the channel by order of Michael Garibaldi, authorization code 'peek-a-boo'."
"Closing channel.opening channel to President Sheridan."
"Michael what the hell is going on!?!?"
"I'm sorry but you have to hear this ASAP. The Narn fleet has just received orders to join with the Drazi fleet and move on Centauri Prime. Apparently the Centauri left a hole in their defenses and the Narn and the Drazi are moving in to exploit it."
"Oh hell. Michael, have all the White Stars docked at Babylon 5 powered up and ready to move now. I have to make a call."
Sheridan closed the channel with Garibaldi and opened another one with the Narn warleader.
"Mr. President, why do I the honor of this call?"
"Stuff it. What the hell is your fleet doing?"
The Narn was shocked but didn't let it show. He hadn't expected Sheridan to figure it out so soon, but no matter. He couldn't stop them now. "I'm sorry Mr. President I don't know what you're talking about. But if our fleet were undertaking a major maneuver, I can assure you that they would be under communications silence."
Without another word, Sheridan cut the channel and ran for the docking bay. He had to catch the Narn and Drazi before the unthinkable happened.
For John Sheridan, it was a nerve-wracking day. The evidence that had been assembled was shown to the Alliance council. He could feel the desire for vengeance that emanated from many of the ambassadors. Then, of course, there was the Centauri reply to the evidence that had been accumulated. One word kept flashing in his mind: war.
For Group Commander Starbuck, it was an exhilarating, but ominous day. The fleet had been assembled and all the races were working well together. The fleet had planned to move the day before, but Starbuck had been a witness at the presentation that day. He planned to leave as soon as possible: if it came to war, the Primus would probably return to Centauri Prime. He wanted to get the fleet, more specifically, the Centauri battlecruiser, into hyperspace and communications silence; but first, he had a visit to make.
For Londo Mollari, it was the worst day of his life. His dreams of peace went crashing down the minute he heard Centauri Prime's response to the Alliance demands. It will come to war and we will lose. He would be leaving soon for Centauri Prime and he feared that he would never see Babylon 5 again. As Londo gathered his things to leave the station, his door chimed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
"Enter!"
"Ambassador Mollari."
"Group Commander, coming to say goodbye to the condemned?"
"There's one thing I have to apologize for Ambassador before leaving."
"What? That battlecruiser? You are going to do the smart thing and take it with you, yes?" Starbuck nodded. "Why do you think I arranged my government to send it with your fleet? I see in you and your people a fire that will come to rule the galaxy. It is a fire you share with the rest of your human brethren, but it is much stronger with you. We Centauri are a dying people though and it is best that we find allies among your people. One battlecruiser will not make a difference with us at Centauri Prime, but, maybe, among your people, it will be our salvation."
With that, the Ambassador, suddenly seeming old and tired, left the room, hoping that his people would somehow find salvation from the madness that was engulfing the galaxy. Starbuck followed him out, planning to wait a few more days at Babylon 5, ostensibly to train, but really to salve his conscience and give the Primus a chance to leave.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
"Traitor's Bane ready for transit sir. Your flagship is fully at your disposal."
"Thank you Colonel. Group Commander, is Battlegroup One ready for transit?"
"Yes sir. The fleet can move out at your command sir."
"General Ryan, is Battlegroup Two ready for transit?"
"Yes Group Commander. All vessels prepared to jump to hyperspace."
"Commander Sirus, is Transport Group One ready for transit?"
"Yes sir. We can jump at your command."
"Excellent. Communications officer, signal to fleet 'Lock on to beacon 95T621 and enter the jump gate. Destination: Tor 621 and then, New Caprica.' "
The bridge of the battlestar erupted with cheers as the fleet entered hyperspace. They were going home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
John Sheridan watched the Alexander maneuver from its station and head for the jump gate. He turned his eyes from the monitor to the other individuals in the room: Narn, Drazi, Minbari, Ranger, Brakiri, and Human. Each was a major commander in their respective fleet. They had been assembled to discuss the continuing war against the Centauri. Combat had been limited so far to Centauri vessels trying to break the blockade imposed by the Alliance. But that could change. Already, the Centauri had destroyed a jump gate; it was unknown whether that was an accident or an indication of things to come.
Sheridan had debated long and hard about letting the Colonial fleet go. Those battlestars and the Alliance taskforce with them represented a large concentration of firepower. But, in the end, he didn't ask the Group Commander to stay; he had asked enough of him already. It had been unnerving for a few days with a Primus docked next to the station, but it hadn't made any aggressive moves, nor had it obeyed orders from Centauri Prime to return home.
"Mr. President, we should strike the Centauri hard. I have had my staff prepare an operation that will cripple the Centauri fleet and leave their homeworld open to our fleets." The Narn warleader placed a data crystal into the slot next to the conference room monitor. The lines and arrows displayed a massive pincer movement of all the Alliance fleets. The attack would be made in a staggered movement, with each attack being stronger than the one previous to it. The Centauri reserve would move from sector to sector trying to contain the invasion, but the Narn's plan didn't allow the reserve enough time to do it. If they did nothing, the invasion would tear through the frontier. If they tried to stop an attack, they would hear about a larger one while still in hyperspace.
The Narn place was quite ingenious and corresponded with the one Sheridan had been developing, except for one minor detail. In Sheridan's place, the White Star fleet would be the first to reach Centauri Prime. In the Narn plan, the Narn fleet would have that honor. Even an idiot would know what would happen after the Narn fleet commanded the sky over the Centauri homeworld. Of course, to admit that fact would be politically incorrect.
"Warleader, your plan is admirable; however, I must reject it. I don't want a full scale war against the Centauri." Well, I guess I have to make sure my operation never sees the light of day, Sheridan thought to himself. "I want this war to end with a minimum of bloodshed on both sides."
The meeting didn't last long after that. Some more discussion occurred about the current state of the fighting and possible Centauri plans. Sheridan quickly returned to his quarters after the meeting, hoping to get in contact with Delenn. She was at Minbar trying to garner support for his plan for cruiser and destroyer vessels for the Alliance. The idea had been in his head for a while, but a look at the battlestars and basestars had convinced him that the Alliance needed something bigger than the White Stars.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Michael Garibaldi put down his glass of whisky and looked at the message the Narn warleader had sent to the Narn fleet defending the Narn- Centauri boarder. Fortunately, he had used a code his people had broken a week before.
"Computer, open a channel to President Sheridan."
"One moment please.President Sheridan's line is occupied."
"Close the channel by order of Michael Garibaldi, authorization code 'peek-a-boo'."
"Closing channel.opening channel to President Sheridan."
"Michael what the hell is going on!?!?"
"I'm sorry but you have to hear this ASAP. The Narn fleet has just received orders to join with the Drazi fleet and move on Centauri Prime. Apparently the Centauri left a hole in their defenses and the Narn and the Drazi are moving in to exploit it."
"Oh hell. Michael, have all the White Stars docked at Babylon 5 powered up and ready to move now. I have to make a call."
Sheridan closed the channel with Garibaldi and opened another one with the Narn warleader.
"Mr. President, why do I the honor of this call?"
"Stuff it. What the hell is your fleet doing?"
The Narn was shocked but didn't let it show. He hadn't expected Sheridan to figure it out so soon, but no matter. He couldn't stop them now. "I'm sorry Mr. President I don't know what you're talking about. But if our fleet were undertaking a major maneuver, I can assure you that they would be under communications silence."
Without another word, Sheridan cut the channel and ran for the docking bay. He had to catch the Narn and Drazi before the unthinkable happened.