"Setting the Rules"
Lieutenant Commander Castillo, in charge of the evening shift on the Ambassador, sat relaxed listening to the hums and bell of his ship as the crew went through the routine. Today had been a rough day. Some of the engineers were insisting on upgrading the warp core to the new specs consistent with the updated Ambassador class of the Enterprises-D's time. But, right now, it was impossible. The last thing they needed was to be in the middle of a refit when someone decided to attack them. Therefore that would have to wait for a more opportune time. In the meantime he mused about home, a place that might not be possible to get back to. All the experiments in quantum temporal and spatial shifting had failed. Home was as close as his seat and as far away as the most distant galaxy. But the good news was that they could now achieve warp one in hyperspace before the dis-harmonics would tear the ship apart. From B5 in warp-hyper drive, earth was a mere six hours away, instead of three days. The alignment between sub-space and hyperspace still needed to be fine-tuned. The frequencies between the two realities had to match perfectly and so far, that quantum matching had proved elusive.
He enjoyed working command during evening shift and he got chance to choose his choice of music. The only thing he didn't like was the ever-accursed paperwork that was placed on his PADD every few minutes it seemed. Captain Garrett insisted that the bio and science departments kept their experiments and data collection on schedule-as much as possible-so that they would not lose their edge. Many of the crewmembers were transplants from the future Enterprise and trained not in the sciences but in military tactics. So she had implemented a plan to change that onboard her vessel. The Ambassador was a diplomatic science vessel first and foremost and she intended to keep it that way as much as she could. There were classes being held constantly onboard including quantum and subspace physics, temporal and spatial harmonics incorporating normal, subspace and hyperspace theory-a requirement for everybody- and his favorite, anti-matter containment mechanics taught by Garret herself. Then there were the interspecies cytogenetics and gene comparisons studies and Federation diplomacy courses.
The holographic classrooms were nothing short of amazing. 'Hands-on' took on a whole new meaning here. Some days, after taking some of those classes, it felt as though his head would explode. But truth be told, he did enjoy some of those classes, as did the Narns and crew stationed on B5 who were taking the classes as well. Data was an excellent teacher and he got chance to see Tasha more often than not. The woman was beautiful and their relationship was blossoming, a good thing since he was considering asking her to marry him.
But he hadn't yet and their 'secret' relationship was the casual gossip of the Enterprise, the Ambassador and a fair amount of B5-actually anyone who saw them-couldn't help but notice it.
"Get it over with and ask the woman," his Captain had told him in no uncertain terms.
He smiled as he remembered his response. "I don't know if this is the right time."
"There's never a right time," she said. "There's always a wrong time. And there's now. Don't let your chance slip away."
He already knew this, but hearing it from someone else helped. Hopefully, he prayed that she would follow her own advice. If opposites attract, then she and Picard were made for each other.
Ensign Mossa, a female Andorian pulled him out of his musings. "Sir, we there's a ship, correction two more ships, exiting the jump gate. EAS configuration, Hyperions."
"It must be the last two ships they were expecting."
"B5 is confirming their ID's."
"Good. Stand down." He relaxed. Security was at a all time high now. Castillo and Riker had no intentions of allowing raiders to piggyback a ride with friendlies.
For the last two hours, Sheridan and Commander Ivanova had taken the tour of the new instrumentation onboard the station and now they were at the final leg of their journey. Susan waited until all of the visitors were in the docking bay before she began her lecture. In front of the shocked officers was the updated Thunderbolt-B5 (for Babylon Five) Star Fury.
"Ladies and Gentlemen: This is a modified SA-26A-B5 Thunderbolt Star Fury, four times stronger and faster than its earlier sister. A plasma-injected micro-fusion reactor powers the fighter-bomber's system. The mass is the same, fifty-two metric tons and it has an acceleration 4.3 km/per second squared with a maximum duration of twenty hours. The weapons are modified with what are called first generation phased energy pulse canons and for defense we have polarized plating, the same as on B5, and is rated to withstand four direct hits from standard Centauri fighters. And it works quite well. I haven't even mentioned the new targeting and IDECM* systems we're placing in this model. And the gravity and inertia systems allow a pilot to perform aerobatics that would shock you. In short, with these ships we can wipe the off the floor with anything that comes at us one-on-one."
"Even Minbari fighters?" someone asked in the background.
"Susan's response was a knowing, half sneer. "We're not at war with them anymore," came the diplomatic answer. "Shall we continue?"
"Captain Garret to the Bridge."
"Garrett here. What's the problem, Commander?"
"Four bogies are heading towards the B5 jump gate," Richard answered. The sensor upgrades were good enough to track a target in hyperspace for a distance of six light minutes. Subspace sensors, having the advantage of three hundred years of engineering and application behind it, were far, far more sensitive. Hyperspace detection technology, based on subspace sensors theoretical applications was a new, raw science. But still, it was beginning to prove its worth and whatever was discovered by Sheridan's or Fed castaways were shared.
"B5 confirms our targets. It's three Omegas and one Hyperion class. Are they expecting any more guests?"
CnC answered. "No unauthorized guests are on the list. We're going to battle stations."
"Shields up! Yellow alert. We're on the sidelines unless they start something. Move to established positions."
"Enterprise and Yeager concurs."
From CnC Sandra watched as Omegas powered up, quickly turning to face the gate while the blue glow of the Federation ships brightened as the moved some five thousand kilometers distant, in other words, point blank range. Captain Sheridan and Commander Ivanova along with Major Ryan rushed to CnC to find out what was going on.
"Report Hiroshi."
"There are four EAS ships coming through the jump gate in thirty seconds. Our fighters are flanking the gate. We're ready."
The Jump gate activated and four EAS ships poured out. Immediately they begin broadcasting.
"Babylon Five," Voicecom said. "We are non-hostile, repeat non hostile. We request immediate asylum. This is General Brindley of the EAS Evanston. Captain Sheridan, we need to talk. We are non-hostile. Our weapons are not powered. Do not fire, I repeat..."
A surprised Sheridan curtly responded. "Move your ships six thousand klicks on your x-axis and wait there. Any deviation will be met with hostile action. Is that clear?"
"Affirmative, B5. There are Centauri warships on our tail. They destroyed the colony on Proxima III."
Major Ryan gasped harshly and growled at his ex-superior officer. "We're supposed to believe that? What did you do to those people?"
"Take a look at our ships, Major! We had a total of ten ships when the blockade was overrun. Five of us made the jump and only four of us made it here. They've dogged us all the way here, cut off other avenues of escape, jammed out communications with Earth. There's a war starting, Major and our people don't know about it!"
A quick scan by the station confirmed their status. As a whole they were barely functional, the damage clearly evident, and multiple life signs fading.
"Sir, we have twelve bogies approaching B5 space, distance six light minutes and closing fast."
"Give the order." Bless these scanners.
"Five white Stars and the three Federation Ships went to full combat status.
Twelve Centauri battleships erupted from hyperspace jump points sixty thousand kilometers distant from Babylon Five and ran face to face a task force with the Enterprise and Ambassador flanking them. Immediately, they turned and jumped back into hyperspace without firing a shot.
"Evidently the word's gotten out," he said to Major Ryan who nodded in agreement. "Which is good for now. The more time we have to prepare, the better."
With his entire bridge in a near panic, General Brindley grimaced as he watched injured crewman after crewman disappear to god-knows-where right in front of him. Well, that answered that question. Sheridan possessed power, Babylon Five was his and he couldn't deny its effectiveness. Here was absolute proof the Federation did indeed have matter transport technology.
Sheridan's image appeared on the comms channel. "General your injured have been removed to Babylon Five and are being taken care of. No harm will come to them," he said. "You have my word on it."
Brindley curtly nodded.
"I want you and your staff on your bridge in five minutes. It's time we had a talk."
Unable to do anything else, he complied.
"We're here, Sheridan," the General hissed. A second later he almost screamed as he felt his body changing into something else. Energy shimmered around him and his bridge faded and the B5 conference-teaching room took its place. Captain Drake, stone-faced and stiff, looked about with a burning anger that was palpable. The Captains of the other three EAS ships were also present having experienced the same method of transport. The room was brimming with Sheridan's guards both Human and Narn. A few seconds later, Captains Picard and Garrett materialized-that was the best word he could think of-behind Sheridan and Major Ryan looking as arrogant as he'd ever seen them. Maybe they have a right to be he thought.
"President Clarke is not to happy with you right now," he began. "That little stunt with the Psi-Corps has started a small civil war-as you intended for it to do."
Sheridan's response was just as harsh. "The people needed to know what was happening since ISN doesn't have a clue anymore. 'All the poisons need to come to the surface' someone once said in ancient Rome I believe. He was right."
The two of them glared at one another, neither backing down. Finally Brindley broke off in disgust.
A few moments later they were all seated and Sheridan began.
"What happened General? Why did the Centauri attack you?"
"It's all your fault, Sheridan," Brindley started. "They sent us a message before they began shooting!" He had perfect memory and he proceeded to quote the message. 'I, Emperor Cartagia and the Centauri people will no longer be spied upon and subjected to the whims of the Government of Earth. It has struck against us once but never again will we be subjected to the manipulations of a species that would keep us from our rightful place among the stars'. He continued on from some time but the bottom line is that we are at war."
"Then why did you come here?" the major asked. The man looked skeptical.
"They attacked us with almost no warning. We were out-numbered, and out gunned. Two of our ships were destroyed within the first two minutes and when the Heracles tried to surrender, they blew it to bits and then bombed the colony. They even destroyed one of our ships in hyperspace and you know how unstable fights are in that space. When we escaped, they attempted to flank us in hyperspace and even fired some unknown energy weapon against us. They cut off all avenues of escape except for Minbari space and here. It seems they are afraid of you, for the time being. I have to contact EarthGov and let them know what has happened."
"EarthGov has been jamming us since we broke away," Sheridan answered hotly. "You know that!"
Hissing, Brindley understood after all he was the one who initiated the quarantine, but he wasn't about to let that stop him for a moment. "Let me repeat myself, Captain. Earth Force, Earth Gov, all of our protectorates are threatened. Despite our differences, Sheridan, I can't believe that you would allow Humanity to be threatened in this way without at least making the effort. In fact, the Yeager or one of your White Stars could get out of jamming range and relay the warning.
"We have a credibility problem, General Brindley, one which was created by President Clarke!"
"And you would let that stop you?" the General asked. "If that's true then you really are a traitor. You would actually let an alien government destroy us."
Sheridan was livid and judging by the looks on the other rebel Commanders, so were they since it was implied that they too were traitors. "Screw you and your bigoted attitudes, General," Sheridan harshly responded. "There isn't one of us here that wouldn't lay down our lives to protect Earth, even from people who have violated the same constitution we have fought and died for in the last few months. This has never been about alien influence, but about Clarke's megalomania, those that follow him and the trampling of the rights of the people of Earth. And," he added rubbing salt into the wound. "How do you know that Clarke hasn't been influence by aliens in the first place?"
That thought never crossed Brindley's mind, in fact he couldn't even conceive of such a thing. Clarke, under alien control of some sort? Never!
"We intercepted the transmission sent to you about the Vorlons and those Shadows. It's quite a battle going on. I'm glad we're not involved in that." It was an obvious probe but Sheridan seemed to be waiting for it.
"We expected you to see that General. That's' why it was sent on an open channel. Instead of watching us every minute, we wanted you to know what was really going on."
"It's not our problem," Brindley answered. As he took the measure of everyone in the room he could see the fear in some of the rebels. Their eyes darted back and forth nervously as though the wanted to flee the room. He decided to add to the pressure. Maybe conversation and guilt could do what guns and bombs couldn't. "You and the Centauri are."
"There's more to it than that, General," said Sheridan refusing to rise to the bait. "Did you know that the Minbari were attacked less than six days ago by an unknown race? This race has been seen in Centauri space and we have proof of this. The Shadows are working with the Centauri. Do you understand what that means? Do you have a clue, Brindley?" He let that sink in for a moment. "The Shadows are our problem because when they finish with the Vorlons they will come after Earth in support of the Centauri. We are talking inter-galactic war here. Very soon it's going to be Earth, Minbar, Narn and the non-aligned races against the Shadows, the Centauri and these others. Nowhere will be safe."
The General opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again and closed it. "You have a tendency to exaggerate Sheridan," he said finally. "The Centauri are the problem and we'll need everybody to deal with this threat. You saw what happened to the Narn in their war."
Everybody had seen what had happened. The Centauri wore the Narn military down and then bombed them back into the Stone Age. No doubt about it, they were tough.
"I have proof of it, General. Take a look."
Obviously Sheridan had prepared for this he noted. The lights darkened and on a vid screen, the images of Centauri Prime appeared surrounded by hundreds of Centauri warships along with unidentified arrow-shaped ships and in the far distance, a small shape, unmistakable spidery-like. His jaw dropped.
This was taken about three days before you were attacked."
"Have you confirmed it?"
"Of course."
"In light of this information, are you proposing that we join forces against this threat?" It was Colonel Griffin who asked that question. Of course, Brindley thought. If anyone would try a straight reconciliation, it would be him. The man was sharp, cool and controlled. "And if we do, assuming that you will not rejoin Earth Force, how are we to proceed?"
Sheridan appeared to be in thought for a moment. Griffin had caught him of guard and Brindley was pleased. The question was how would he respond?
"Babylon Five will welcome those who have come to join us, but at the same time, those who wish it can leave and rejoin Earth Force," Sheridan answered. "If necessary, we will go it alone with the resources we have." Brindley watched him watching the others around the room including the impassive Federation Officers. "I will support the Minbari and the Narn and the others in this fight, but I also want to make it clear to you that separately, we won't have much of a chance. If Minbar loses, then Earth loses, too. The Shadows and the others will swarm Earth's defenses and that'll be all she wrote."
"Then there is the next question," Griffin continued. "With your technological advances that you now have, will you share it with Earth?"
"No."
It was a short, curt answer that the General expected.
"Not under these conditions. We won't share our technology although we will support Earth if need be with everything we have. It's up to President Clarke and his cabinet to accept or reject this offer."
"We need an independent confirmation of what you say."
"That can be worked out, General but getting back to the first point. Earth Force is jamming us. I can't get thru to Earth unless you back off."
"That isn't strictly true," Garrett murmured softy to Picard. They were off to the side quietly monitoring the event unfolding. They had seen Romulan-Klingon conferences less tense than this. "They can breech the jamming with the machine system on the planet below. "But, he's keeping quiet about that for now."
"So would I, Captain. In your opinion, do you believe that they will come to some sort of agreement?"
"The President may not have a choice," she whispered. "But the trust factor will be a serious problem."
"Nicely understated as usual, but you are correct. They must resolve this in their own way. But I must confess that I am curious about Colonel Griffin."
Rachel smiled. She understood exactly what he meant. Then she caught a glimpse of a very angry EAS Officer glaring at Picard specifically. "On the other hand, it seems as if Captain Drake would love to rip your spinal chord from your still living body and beat you to death with it." She then adapted an aura of innocence.
"Well," he answered dryly, critiquing her sarcastic stance, "I was trying to defend myself. Personally, I don't care how he feels,' he said letting his voice raise slightly all the will returning the stare. "He has other responsibilities now that he should attend to. If he can't put his personal feelings to the side then he has no right commanding an EAS ship-of-the-line."
Everyone of course heard it and tension in the room went higher than it already was. Brindley could have cut this short, however it would be only a matter of time before it festered into violence. Here, at this place it could be controlled.
But the Federation Captain wasn't finished. "Captain Drake," Jean-Luc Picard said walking up to the man. "If you have a problem, then let's get it out into the open right now."
Boiling with fury, Terrell Drake retaliated. "You had no right interfering with an Earth Force situation! You slaughtered thousands of loyal Earth Force men and women…"
"-In order to prevent even more deaths," he cut in, "On B5, your own people and thousands of innocent sentient species! Grow up Drake! Your job demands control. Your primary responsibility is the protection of those in your care and upholding the intent of the law, not simply the letter. Everyone here is responsible for the people who rely on us to protect them whether it be in Earthspace or in the Federation."
"Captain," he continued with a softer voice. "Where we are from, the Federation may very well lose that war to the Klingons. Here, the Klingons and we have forged the beginnings of an alliance that belies twenty-two years of bloodshed on a scale that you can barely conceive of. You've barely have had two years of differences of opinions. I do not like you Drake and how you feel about me is irrelevant. But if your dislike of me stops you from performing your duty, then you should step down from command."
"You said that where you are from," Griffin said cutting in. "If you are talking about forging a trust, then it must begin here. Where are you from, Captains Picard and Garrett of the Federation Starships?"
A silent Brindley realized this was a turning point. The answer, whatever it was could change everything. If they chose not to answer then this conference would be for nothing. Secrets destroyed. But then, he thought, so does the truth.