Chapter Nineteen
"EarthSpace"
Captain Pallott's orders were specific-in the unlikely even of capture he was to destroy all records in the data logs. Nothing was to be given over to the enemy that might compromise the Centauri republic, especially at this critical junction. He had every intention of performing his duty if anything were to occur. When this mission had turned into a debacle, the only recourse remaining to him was flight. Tanito Konto was dead, along with most of the fleet. The stiff resistance had been unexpected and the strike that had destroyed the majority of the fleet in one swift blow had been unfathomable. They had been told of the power of those colonial Earthian ships but no one really believed it and besides the reports had been suspect. The Human forces that had provided the information were believed to have been exaggerating the capabilities of their enemies. Even some of the Centauri spy reports had been discounted, after all how could something like transporter technology be economically useful? How much power did it generate and how trustworthy was it? And were the FTL engines really as good as jump tech, which had been proven reliable to the Centauri and other races for more than a thousand years plus of known history?
A quick survey of his wrecked ship convinced him that it wasn't worth it. The projectile weapons that hit them were antimatter based and although his ship possessed an anti-matter reactor as the main power source, no one had successfully produced a weapon with that level of pure destructiveness. Yes, the Narn had energy mines, but they were nothing like what just hit them. However, right now life-support was a priority. He had just ordered the destruction of the data stores when he froze in his tracks. The standard Primus carried a standard crew of two hundred twelve and a compliment of five hundred soldiers- many of them dead or injured now- but none of his crew looked even remotely like what was facing him. It looked vaguely Humanoid with sharpened teeth, dull gray armor, with a truly ugly looking gun in one hand and something like a curved sword in the other.
The matter-energy conversion technology, he surmised dryly. The other part of him was enraged that his bridge had been so easily invaded. He didn't have much time to remain upset about being breeched because an alien hand had grabbed his neck and very roughly slammed him into his chair.
"You dared attack an imperial Klingon cruiser and expected to live?" the Klingon growled.
By the look of the Klingons' body movements, Pallott thought he was about to be slapped-hard. "You wanted a war? Well, you have it!"
Big or not, the Centauri refused to be completely intimidated. "The Centauri traveled the stars as giants for a thousand years," he said, reciting the standard dogma of his people. "We do so again. In the Emperor's name we do so again. We take what we want."
The Klingon smiled at him, a truly hideous thing to see. "Good," he said, approving of the captain's statement. "Good," he repeated. "You understand. We will take what we want and leave you your worthless lives, unless you wish to try to stop us."
The Captain knew a threat when he saw one. He remained still.
His second in command however, hadn't. He was backed into the far corner, by another one of those ugly Humanoids speaking roughly to him. Defiantly, he spit in the creature's face. The Klingon roared in delight, produced a particularly wicked looking knife and jammed it into his officers' chest and ripped it out.
His officer had screamed and slumped down to the floor. Blood splattered everywhere. The Klingon then pulled his gun and shot him in the leg. His officer gurgled and his entire body disintegrated before Pallott's terrified eyes. The weapon's energy took about three seconds to complete its job and he imagined that that must have been an eternity to his unfortunate officer.
As he tore his eyes from the vapor remain of his man, he noticed for the first time the other darker-hued Klingon next to the first one.
"I am Worf," the alien said. "Cooperate. There is no dishonor in falling before a superior enemy."
"You think this is over," Pallott answered. "It isn't. If I die, it makes no difference. We will come until you are destroyed. Cartagia will not allow you or anyone of your kind to live after what you and Federation friends and Babylon Five have done to us. Give up and die quickly. You days are numbered like the fingers on my hands."
Worf's first instinct was to slap him senseless for daring not to cooperate. He wanted to give peace a chance, to show that his people were not the kill crazy beings that the Federation had painted them to be for so long. This appeared to be the perfect opportunity. But the Centauri was correct. They needed time if they were going to survive and Klingons excelled at surviving. That's why they had redundant everythings.
"What you have said is true," he said pleasantly. "Two our my people were killed. You have declared war. We will respond. Blood screams for blood." Worf moved towards the nearest computer console, placed a Klingon tricorder on top of it and began downloading the Centauri computer cores data. When finished he smiled wickedly at the Centauri Captain, gave an order in his native language and a moment later, the entire Klingon contingent of thirty de-materialized.
Onboard K'mpec's Honor Worf nodded to the Captain and transmitted the message to Babylon Five. They were at a state of war now with the Centauri government and Klingons were not known for their passive personalities. The message was beamed directly to former ambassador G'Kar's telecomm. It was simple and short. To citizen G'Kar of the Narn regime, the words you have spoken have been found to be true. Your enemies are now our enemies. Gather your ships and prepare them for the transformation. We formally entreat with you, honored one. Our weapons, our technology and our bodies are now joined together against a common enemy.
Klingon Cruiser cloaked and warped out of the system, the destination- Centauri Prime.
It took approximately three days at warp eight point five to reach the outer edge of the Sol system and during that time, Captain Sisko was tempted twice to abort the mission and return to Babylon Five. First, the Minbari were attacked by some as yet unknown race and then the Centauri tried to hijack the Klingon cruiser. Obviously, the Centauri were out of their minds but the overall chain of events set off warning bells throughout his entire body. The Shadow attack, the Centauri, the attacks against the Minbari, there almost seemed to be a pattern. Lines were being drawn and he wondered just were would he and his people be when push came to shove.
His ship took an extended route and skimmed just past sensor range of several groups of heavy Earth cruisers, out in force. Oh, how he wished he had a cloaking device on the Yeager! But, one couldn't have everything. He was in command and would make due with the resources that he had. That was enough.
His first officer, Lieutenant Commander Lawson Williams sat in his chair to the left and behind his Captain. They had both been ground-pounders for the last four years, fighting Klingons on at least five planetary systems, sometimes hand to hand. His opinions of Klingons bordered on respect, even if their so-called skills were somewhat overrated. Now, they were command of a Starship, something that they had trained for in the first place. He still couldn't quite believe that they were in charge of the Yeager.
"Our 'guests' are quiet again."
"It's about time," Sisko murmured. "Bester has a very inventive mind. Some of the things he called me, made me want shoot him out of an airlock." He looked at his first officer. Then he nodded. "You know why he tried so hard."
"Yes." Williams shook his head wistfully. "Ensign Shapua caught him trying to read us at least three times."
The last time Sisko had been informed of Bester's little probing, he had both of them transported to their shuttle he was tractoring and then released the tractor at nearly warp one. The shuttle went bouncing everywhere before the Yeager re-established the lock. Inside the shuttle Bester and Jackie received a chilling message from Sisko.
"Don't play with me," they heard over the shuttle communications system. "Your life's hanging by a thread. I will space you and the message will be delivered even if you're not."
The communication closed. They had been quiet since the incident. At three hundred thousand miles passed Jupiter heading towards Mars now traveling nearly three quarters light speed, the Federation Starship Yeager had decelerated hard from warp eight. They didn't have much time. Already sensors had been tripped all over the system. Two Novas and an Omega-class destroyer were already vectoring in on them.
"Prepare the probe."
"Probe ready."
"Launch and send the shuttle on its way.
The class two probe launched at high speed, headed directly towards Earth. At the same time the Yeager's tractor beam swung the Psi-Corps shuttle after it. The probe's specialized communications system began transmitting, the signal being strong enough to burn through any jamming system in the area. ISN and other programming were rudely interrupted. Everyone from Io to Venus would see the visuals.
I am Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Federation battleship Enterprise, he began. As I speak to the people of Earth, I also speak to those on Mars as well as all the colonies, which had been threatened and attacked by the very people that are assigned to protect them. My comrades and I are representatives of the Federation of Planets, an organization composed of different species working together for the common good of all. We are not from your sector of space and we have every intention of returning to ours. And yes, we are at war with another government but we have no intentions of breaking our charter to support and aid the very people we are fighting and dying for. However, there are certain formalities that must be addressed. Because of those convictions, we could not stand by and watch as elements of Earth Force willfully attacked their own space station filled with Humans and a half million beings from over a dozen different races, in violation of the very laws and constitution they are sworn to protect.
Your President and News network, specifically ISN, have spoken many speculations, half truths, and outright lies as to who we are and what we have done. Yes, we have defended Babylon Five and its officers and crew and the civilians from those who would callously take their lives to satisfy a petty dictator whose influence has terrified a planetary system. And we will continue to do so with everything we have until this civil war is over or until the Captain of Babylon Five asks us to leave. If he does, we will do so. Until then, beware. In the shuttle we are returning to you are two members of the Psi-Corps who tried to murder several members of my crew because of the secret agendas they uncovered.
And I say to President Clarke, the man who allegedly had his predecessor assassinated in order to rise to power, don't worry about us. I say beware of those who are your closest supporters. The Psi-Corps agenda has you in their sites. This information was extracted from a Psi-Corps officer whom we are returning to you. I understand that this information will not hold up in a court of law but I am sure you will find it interesting nonetheless. There are a list of things you should be aware of which include psychic enhancing drugs, murders, and blackmail. Here is the record for your consideration. What you do with it is up to you…
On Earth, Clarke watched the video feed alone inside his office. He wrote on his notepad furiously. Alternating between listening to the words and writing, he whispered to himself, as a man on the edge. He imagined himself as power. They had promised him power, but now he was alone and his enemies were at the gate, knocking at the door, or at least sending a message. He knew about most of this information and Psi-Corps knew about his exploits. It was considered an I-don't-tell-you-don't-tell sort of hush-hush secret. But now it was exposed and those secrets would kill. This was something that no amount of damage control could fully contain. All those months of carefully controlling the media, of manipulations of key officials, and military personnel, of consolidating his power base had just been blown out of the water by this one continuously repeating message. His only choice of action was apparent. Blame Psi-Corps for everything and purge them wherever they were. He would let the military deal with them now. He had no choice but to take out the Psi-Corps before they killed him.
"How is it that Sheridan drew such people to him?" he screamed inside his sound proofed office. Up until now, Sheridan and B5 were an aggravation, an annoyance that he would crush in the near future. The fact that Sheridan had broken away from Earth had given Clarke the opportunity to help prove that there was an alien led conspiracy attempting to subvert Humanity from within. His power base had grown, but then things began to happen and those alien ships made the President appear effectively impotent. People were looking at B5 with more sympathy than suspicion and anger. When Mr. Morden suggested the Centauri deal could with them, he had agreed readily enough. It was a simple, easy plan. Now the Military Intelligence hyperspace channel was filled with the news of the Centauri rout at B5. Those colonist vessels were too much of a threat and Earth Force was still months away from any possibility of a successful counterstrike. And now, this debacle had slapped him in the face. Someone would pay dearly for this. Sheridan, how he began to hate that name now, would be the one, him and his allies.
The crew of the Yeager shadowed the satellite and shuttle carefully as the transmission made its third and final broadcast, keeping just out of weapons range of two EAS vessels right behind. There was now a third combat vessel attempting to intercept them. However, that ship's position was poor and was therefore was not considered a threat at this moment.
"That's it," Williams said. "The third transmission. Time to go."
There was a running bet to see if Earth Force would blow the shuttle out of space in order to stop the satellite's transmission. So far they hadn't.
"Vector away," Sisko ordered. "Set a course for Babylon Five."
The small starship began its acceleration, when the helmswoman abruptly changed course. At least four jump points appeared directly in front of them allowing four EAS destroyers and their accompanying Star Furies to effectively cut off that avenue to escape. The tiny Federation vessel proceeded to outrun them in the new heading.
"Transmit the destruct signal."
"Yes, sir."
The signal was transmitted and the broadcast satellite's photon self-destruct imploded, leaving nothing for Earth forces to examine.
"Chief O'Brien, we're going to need everything bit of power you have down there in a few moments."
"You'll have it," came the answer.
"Captain Sisko, we have a transmission from the lead ship."
"Battle stations," he ordered. Immediately, the lighting dimmed to a dark red and the crew could literally feel the small ship powering up. Shields went up and the twin phaser array had set itself to auto-recharge.
"They've fired on us."
A heavy particle beam from the main weapons of the lead ship passed within less than two kilometers of the Yeager."
"Don't worry," Sisko responded casually. "It's just a ranging shot." There was nothing that Earth Force currently had could stop a Saber-class starship one-on-one, and it would be even money two-on-one. However seven-to-one would be pushing it a little. Communications signaled. "They want to make sure we're listening. Put him onscreen."
The screen came alive and tall serious-looking African-American male was staring him in the face with one of the better poker faces he'd seen in a long time. He matched the stare, staring hard at the other Captain. His face was interesting, in some ways reminding him Jake if his son had reach that age. For a mere instant, his eyes glazed as he remembered what could have been. It didn't matter anymore.
"I'm Captain Leonard Anderson of the EAS Charon," the face on the screen said. "May I ask to whom I am addressing?"
"Captain Benjamin Sisko of the Federation Starship Yeager. How can I help you, Captain?"
The stone-faced Anderson cracked for an instant. "It appears that you've violated several dozen laws that my superiors would be more than interested in addressing with you. So if you come along politely, my support and I won't have to shoot holes in you and drag your behinds back to our base. This would not be in your best interests, if you force me to come after you," he growled.
"Actually, we were just leaving."
"I can't allow that, Captain Sisko."
To the side, Sisko saw William's motion. He understood. It was clear that they were trying to encircle the Yeager to prevent its escape. At this moment, the EAS was playing for time. But right now he needed to say something. I guess Rachel is getting to me.
"You can't allow it?" he repeated soberly. "But you've sided in the murdering of your own citizens. You've condoned the murder of your own people."
"I'm a loyal Earth Force officer enforcing the rules of our lawful President and you are trespassing in Earth territory," Anderson answered a little too quickly. "Surrender, now."
"Are you married, Captain?"
Leonard was taken back by that question from far left field. He felt compelled to answer.
"Yes."
Sisko took a breath and his eyes narrowed. "Then treasure them. Don't die on the wrong side, Captain Anderson."
Captain Sisko pointed at his first officer. Williams nodded and the Yeager's type eight phaser beams passed within fifteen meters of the Charon both above and below the destroyer shaking it violently, Sisko's version of a ranging shot. He watched as the crew on the EAS destroyer glanced nervously at one another as they realized that they were well within the Yeager's strike capability. The energy wave caused the image to be lost momentarily due to electro-magnetic discharge. However, Anderson never blinked.
Sisko moved his hand in a small wave to acknowledge his adversary. The screen went blank. "Let's go. Warp six. Do it."
The Yeager's warp engines powered up and in less than four milliseconds it had jumped into warp, headed proudly, defiantly out of the star system. The crews of the Charon and the other EAS ships watched in awe as the small vessel simply went away. They couldn't turn or train their weapons in time to even attempt an approximation of a firing solution.
"It's true," Anderson said to Commander Trent. "They don't generate jump points to travel FTL. Did we gather the data on their transit?"
"Eh, yes," the man, tearing himself away for the sensor screen said. "We did. How do they do that?" He rubbed his chin deep in thought. "I'm glad we didn't have to destroy her. I would love to see what makes her tick."
The grim Captain turned to face his commander. "Sisko could have taken us out any time he wanted. That ship's weapons range is more than twice ours. He was doing us a favor."
"Earth force is ready. We have his destination and they're laying mines along his probable route. Maybe we'll get lucky and see if we can knock it out.
"We obviously can't handle the big ones, so let's pick on the little ones," he added sarcastically.
"Sir," Trent whispered. "Be careful."
Leonard sighed heavily. "Don't worry about me. I'm okay. I will do my duty. But I feel trapped and I don't like it."
"Most of us do, sir," whispered again.
"Let's see if we can catch them," the Captain said loud enough for the entire crew to hear. "Prepare for Jump. Let's see if we can intercept them before they can get to B5."
"Sir, we're receiving a transmission from Earth Force, hyperspace channel three. It's General Brindley."
"Patch it thru," Anderson ordered.
"Were you able to secure the Yeager?" the stone-faced General barked at him.
"Negative, sir." His timing had been impeccable. Too much so, in fact. "They were too fast. We couldn't get close enough."
The General nodded once. The Captain surmised by Brindley's expression that he had expected that answer. "Your orders are to pursue via jump space. Do not attempt to overtake, which may not be possible anyway. Simply make the attempt. I do not want us to anything that might provoke them into responding. And do not enter B5 space."
"But, sir…"
"It would be a waste of time and a waste of manpower and materiel. I don't expect the mines to even slow them down but if they avoid them then that will tell us a lot about their sensors. True, its small but it's as lethal as anything you've come across. Leave them alone for now. When we're ready, we'll deal with them. I'm sending you this transmission we've accumulated on the Latest B5 attack. A day and a half ago, the Centauri attack squadron consisting of at least twenty or more ships just got their butts handed to them by B5 forces, the Clingkons and the Fed battleships."
"How bad was it?"
"They butchered close to the entire fleet, which punctuates my point. Going up directly against them is absolute folly."
"Sir, why did the Centauri attack them?"
"We don't know for sure but it doesn't matter. The point is that they're acting up and we may have to deal with them first. I am sending Earth Force the data we received. Their Intel was the same as ours but they didn't act on it. Our ships need to understand what we're up against at B5 so that we understand that we are not ready yet to go up against them. Besides, there are reports that the Minbari have been attacked and the Vorlons as well. We may be pulled into another war very soon. We may have to leave B5 on the back burner for now."
"Yes, sir," he responded as the vid signal cut off. He nodded to the Commander, then turned back staring at the stars before they cut off into a swirling cauldron. But he really didn't notice the dark beauty churning in front of his eyes. All he could see was his wife and little girl and the guards silently watching them in the night. The Charon and the three of the destroyers turned and entered jump space to chase down a ship they had no intention of catching.
Onboard the White Star's, or what was now being called White Star One's, return flight from Babylon Four, Delenn, Captain Sheridan and the others sat in silence, absorbing the impact of their experiences on the older space station which was now traveling –or had traveled back, conceptualizing temporal mechanics made people crazy-into the past almost a thousand years, to be a vanguard in a war that seemed to be recycling itself. Commander Sinclair was gone now, fulfilling his destiny in that distant past as the 'One who was'. Kosh had said to Delenn once that the circle completes itself and now she understood what he had meant. How she felt about her friend Sinclair, no one but her would ever fully know. There had been something between the two of them, but it never had been given a chance to grow and now he was gone, never to return. However there was someone here for her and that someone was John. How could she ever possibly love a Human? Any Minbari would consider her mad, but her she was slowly committing herself to this Human male. She smiled at the irony because she was part Human also, a small portion really, but still a part. Did that make a difference?
Delenn suspected in the long run the answer was no even thought it most likely did play a part. She was bonding to the man and he was responding, not as a member of his species but simply as a man. For both of them that was enough and as they became closer, nothing would separate them from one another. Some Human had written that marriage or the bonding of one soul to another was the universe's way of emotional cohesion; designed to fight against all the forces designed to tear that bond apart. If that intangible essence called love was strong enough, nothing could tear it apart, except the two souls that had joined to each other. For now she was content. What would come would come. This of course always happened sooner rather than later she mused.
Prophetically, the instant the White Star exited the temporal zone heading towards Babylon Five, two Minbari warships exited jump space almost on top of them, bracketing the small combat vessel.
"It's the BrightStar," said Lennier, the Minbari attaché to Delenn, after a moment. "Captain Menroi wishes to speak to you Delenn. He is most agitated."
"Put him on."
The bald headed Captain bowed slightly, acknowledging Sheridan, standing next to Delenn, before he started. "We have been attacked."
The female Minbari, the others as well looked absolutely shocked as Menroi related the details of the multi-pronged attack.
"You must come back with us, Delenn," he implored. "The Counsel has requested your presence in the preparation against our enemies."
She was uncertain. "I am not sure that the Grey counsel wishes my presence-"
"We wish it," he interrupted. "You know what is at stake. The Shadows are on the move and our unknown enemy strikes without mercy, keeping us off-balance and stopping us from aiding the Vorlons. Our people need your presence to give them hope and stability in these dark times. They know what has happened, how you broke the counsel. Many have felt uncomfortable because of what you have done, but many more have seen the strength you possess. You can unite us during this time. You can be the bond that holds us together. The worker and religious castes are…uncertain of their relationship with the warrior caste. We are fragile, now. The people will gather around you, Satai."
"I am no longer Satai."
You are always Satai, Delenn."
John's action was immediate. "You have to go, Delenn. We at B5 will help in any way we can. Without the Minbari, we won't have much of a chance in keeping the other races together. Your people need you now."
"It's more complicated than that, Captain. A few hours ago, the Centauri attacked Babylon Five with an entire battle group."
Sheridan gripped the seat of his chair so hard his fingernails began to bleed. "Why?" was all he could manage to say at that moment and a thousand images passed thru his mind, none of them pleasant.
"It appears they were after the Klingon vessel," Menroi growled. "What has our attention is that the attacks on Minbari territories happened precisely at the same time the Centauri arrived at B5. The closer our territory was to the station the worse the severities of the attacks were that occurred. We had no choice but to protect them and abandon B5," he said, ashamed of what he had been forced to do. "But the Centauri knew and they waited until we forced to leave to attack."
"What happened to Babylon Five?" Susan yelled, unable to control herself. Marcus Cole, a Ranger and the man in love with Susan stood next to her, fists tight. Both of them were beside themselves with worry.
"B5's defenses, the Federation battle cruisers and their enemy ally eliminated the opposition most effectively. It is safe, but the Centauri will have much to answer for. They are tied with those who attacked us and there will be a reckoning."
John understood what that meant. "Delenn, you have to go."
"John-"
"This is too big. The balloon and a few of its brothers have just gone up. We're both needed." He grabbed her shoulders and squeezed. "Come back safe. We'll both keep a candle lit until we come together again. "
"As will we," Menroi announced. "Tell your people and your allies that the warrior caste said that they fought well."
A few minutes later, Delenn transferred to the BrightStar and all ships hastened to their destinations and their destiny.