Journey of Love
Chapter Fourteen
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.

Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.

If the formatting is screwed up please forgive me. I still haven't gotten the hang of it yet.

I was speaking to Maiko and Shamar when Malinar and a few others came up to us walking with a purpose.

"First of all, you are too injured to lead this undertaking." Malinar commented while hitting my ribs lightly with the back of his hand, causing me to almost double over in pain.

"After we get back I will rest." I interjected stubbornly.

"Secondly, the Alit from all the clans wish to go in an effort to belatedly show their support to the soon to be appointed Satai." Malinar continued, ignoring my assertion that I was well enough to lead them. "It would be in your best interests to include us in any rescue plan."

"Look, I'm in no mood to have a pissing contest with you. We could use all the help we can get, but make no mistake Neroon is my responsibility. I will lead this rescue team. If you have a problem with that tell me now. You will follow my orders up there, or you will not be going!" I explained in a clear concise voice, after which point I left the meeting hall followed by Shamar and Maiko.

"Where are we going?" Shamar asked.

"The Infirmary."

"But you just told Malinar-"

"I told him that I would rest once we got to Neroon, and I will." I said.

"You have proved your point. We aren't questioning your loyalty to the Alit." Maiko explained, placing a supporting hand on my back. "No on will think less of you for staying in the Infirmary, while the rest of us will get the Alit."

"Have I? You still think that this is a Minbari matter." I sneered pulling myself upright and away from Maiko's supporting presence. "Neroon is under my protection. Until he is back at my side I have no intention of resting while Neroon is going through god knows what."

"Back by your side?" Shamar questioned slyly.

"Oh you know what I bloody well meant!"

"Yes, I believe we do." Maiko commented looking shrewdly at Shamar.

"Well then, we should get your ribs wrapped up tightly if you're to function properly in a fight." Shamar winked at me as he lead me into the Infirmary.

After my ribs were bind tightly, we, along with a few of the best Guards on the Ingata, stopped by the armory. While others were getting their pikes and PPGs I was busy changing into my all-black Anla'shoc uniform, specially made for covert missions such as this.

Seven warriors in all walked off the Ingata in full Minbari battle gear, only to be met with six Alits dressed in a similar fashion. I stopped in front of them flanked by Maiko and Shamar as I gazed imperiously at the warriors lined up in formation in front of me. Finally I broke into a relieved smile and began to speak.

"It's good of you to join us. Malinar, Kobar, Antienne, Maiko, you are with me in the first strike group. Shamar the others are yours, you will be responsible for taking out the perimeter patrols and any reinforcements that Shakiri may call. While you are doing that we will take out the main outpost, going straight through to the primary target. We will attack simultaneously in the hopes that we can catch them off guard before they can alert Shakiri. First strike is in one hour exactly gentlemen, let's get moving."

Without a backward glance, the two groups separated starting the hike up the mountain from opposite sides. The hike took a lot out of me, and by the time we reached the top and took cover under the brush, my ribs were on fire. I kept that knowledge to myself however and I'm almost positive that I merely looked tired from all the exertion. Exactly 7.25 standard minutes later we attacked the main out post, leaving four Minbari unconscious in our wake. Every few hundred feet or so another contingent of fighters would slow us down. Their attacks were not enough to cause serious damage, but they were definitely a minor inconvenience.

We hadn't had any trouble in subduing Shakiri's men, at least in part due to the quality of fighters we had on our side, I assume Shamar wasn't having any significant problems either, because when we came upon the main chamber Shakiri was quite immersed in whipping a restrained Neroon with an electro-stick. Since Shakiri was standing in front of Neroon I could not get a clear unobstructed view of Neroon's condition.

"Shakiri!" I snarled as he made to hit Neroon once again, not noticing our entrance. Moving into the light, and coincidently blocking their only means of escape, the other Alits and I stood impregnably in front of them. As Shakiri and his men twisted around to look in our direction, startled by the interruption, I got my first good look at Neroon and was almost sick at what I saw.