-----chapter 11-----

1300 hrs EST

Sectors away from Earth in hyperspace, the sleek hawk-like form of WhiteStar-1 knifed through the crimson tides to their destination. Not to far behind them, following undiscovered was a jet black craft with two wings and a stabilizer.

On the bridge, President Sheridan sat at her conn, observing as the body of the crew of humans and Minbari worked together in perfect unity. The result of years of intense training.

Every time Sheridan returned to the WhiteStar, he always sensed nostalgia. Yearning for the good old days when he was in charge of a starship, and responsible for a couple of hundred people, not a quarter of a million, and not a qua-trillion as he was now.

WhiteStar 1, was the same White Star gunboat that took Sheridan into the final battle of the Shadow War and the Earth Civil War.

Standing at the executive officer station, Captain Thomas Kincaid looked away from his station, to see a legend at the command of his ship.

"Mister President," Kincaid spoke out, pulling Sheridan back to reality. "We have your link with Babylon 5 established."

"I'll take it in my quarters, Captain."

"Re-routing," Kincaid bowed as Sheridan stood up and proceeded off the bridge.

Four minutes later, Sheridan entered his quarters, which were the largest onboard, second to the captain's stateroom. Inside, was a stateroom personalized by Sheridan. Whenever Alliance matters called him off world, he always traveled on WhiteStar 1.

Pictures of his childhood, and his numerous postings. The one picture that meant the most to him was the picture taken when he first arrived on Babylon 5. Then it was Susan Ivanova, Michael Garibaldi, Zack Allen, and Stephen Franklin.

Stephen. Sheridan's heart went out to the former chief medical officer of Babylon 5. For while Sheridan was flying through the stars, Stephen was on Earth. With little than four years remaining before the plague adapted to Earth's biology.

Why had it been five years? Why could it not had been seven, or ten. But why five? It seemed like everything happened in five year intervals these days.

On the vid screen was the message: TRANSMISSION RECEIVED.

Sheridan went to the screen's controls, and accepted the link.

"Here we go," John muttered.

"John?" The voice of his wife came from her visual on the screen. "What are you doing?"

"Deleen, you'll have to take care of the meeting."

"That is not possible. You know it is you that the Council want to speak with."

"Then, the meeting will have to be postponed, Deleen."

"I hope you have a good reason for blowing off the Council like this."

If you only knew, my love.

"I have to go to Mars."

"Mars? Why, Mars?"

"I can't get into this over this channel, Deleen."

"It is a secured, channel, John. This meeting is very important for the Council, and the InterStellar Alliance."

"Not as important as saving a friend."

Deleen's hassling seized as quick as it began when friend reached her. "Friend? Michael?"

"He's in trouble, Deleen."

"Is he alright?"

"He's fine, Deleen. You know Michael, getting into trouble always."

"And is this an official appointment? You must be careful with your current status, not to interfere,"

"He doesn't know I'm coming. Deleen, sweetheart, I know. Not to abuse my status as president. You've told me that a thousand of times before. You know, your like my mother the first time I took the car out on that Saturday night."

"John, I'm,"

"Don't be sorry," Sheridan smiled. "It's one of your charms."

"Reminding you of your mother? I must be mistaken. I hope."

"I'll explain it later. Delay the Council, Deleen as long as you can. Tell them, I'm at a security meeting about the Plague on Earth. I shouldn't be on Mars very long."

"Be safe, John."

"If you have to, have Captain Lochley talk to the Council. They rely on her."

"Captain Lochley is off station. Something about checking colonial defenses in the Damocles system."

"That's odd," Sheridan remarked.

"What's odd?"

"Two weeks ago a Ranger detachment checked the colony's defenses against possible attack from the Hand. They reported the defenses were adequate, but not strong enough to repel a full out assault."

"Perhaps they want a second opinion."

"Your right. Take care, Deleen."

John placed his hand on the vid screen, craving to be on Babylon 5, to hold his wife, his friend, his lover in his arms.

The screen blinked, and returned to the screen displaying the seal of the InterStellar Alliance.

Before he left, his eyes fell upon the crew pictures from Babylon 5. There were numerous pictures of the old gang, but the one that touched him the most was the one taken shortly before they all departed along their separate ways from Babylon 5.

Saying good-bye to Babylon 5 with his five-mile walk with Deleen before they left, was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. He would had rather stared down the gun of the Shadows and Vorlons than to say good bye.

Saying good-bye to all his friends, the hardest thing anyone had to do.

Citizen G'Kar, leaving B5 with radical telepath Lyta Alexander to explore the rim. Zack Allen, staying onboard as chief security. Vir, remaining on B5 as Centauri ambassador. Michael Garibaldi, returning home to Mars where he was the head of Edgar's Industries. Stephen Franklin, returning home to Earth as head of the most expansive medical program in existence. Londo Mollari, the Emperor of Centauri Republic

The good-byes were said early for Susan Ivanova. She was his right and left hand at numerous times. The death of Marcus Cole hitting her deeper than anyone else. She decided to leave B5, as captain of the Warlock destroyer Foxfire.

As the old masters of B5 left, it left the door open for the new crew. One in particular, Captain Elizabeth Lochley. Sheridan chose Lochley to run B5, because he knew she had the guts to do it. And as far, she has.

In an odd way, the hardest thing about leaving Babylon 5, was leaving her. Even though, he made numerous visits to B5 around the year, it just was not the same.

John Sheridan missed the old days. At times in the middle of the night, tears would swell up in his eyes, missing those old days. Knowing he could never go back, but only keep moving forward.