Chapter 92

Rapture of Light

On board Babylon 4

April 17, 2378

Valen was in command and control and watched as the Shadows and Vorlons began to take out the enemy ships. It was a miracle that Deep Space Nine had held out as long as they did. They were still taking the brunt of the attack from the Jem'Hadar battle cruisers, but the cruisers now had to defend themselves from the station's defenders.

"They've got reinforcements coming in. Shadows and Vorlons moving to intercept. It looks like they're sending in as many ships as they can to try and drive off our forces.," said Catherine Sakai from her station.

"Good. Have they made any move to come after us," said Valen.

Marcus looked at his console and said, "No, but the Breen and the Tholians are moving towards us in an attack vector. Wildstar and her fleet are attacking their rear."

"Tell them to peel off and let us handle them. DS9 needs their help more than we do."

"Yes, Entil'zha.," Marcus said and moved to comply.

Wildstar soon moved away from the rear of the fleet and back towards DS9. The Tholians and Breen didn't even notice as they began to move towards the station. Valen smiled as he watched them come closer and closer to the station.

"When do you want to open fire on them," asked Marcus.

"Wait until you see the whites of their eyes.," said Valen.

The Minbari in the room looked puzzled at the expression, but Marcus got the hint. Jokingly he said, "You Americans," as he began to activate the defense grid.

Valen laughed at the joke and strode over to Marcus' station to watch as the ships approached the station. "They know not what they're in for! Prepare phasers, pulse lasers, and particle beams, and load torpedo tubes!"

"Yes, Entil'zha," said a Minbari tech. Within moments, the defense grid was fully armed and ready to fire.

"Enemy at fifty clicks and closing.," called out Sakai.

"That's close enough. Open fire," ordered Valen.

The station's defensive grid opened fire, and a menagerie of beams criss-crossed the space between Babylon 4 and the enemy ships. The beams hit and the enemy ships were torn apart, and further damage was done when the torpedoes slammed home. The Tholians tried in vain to flank the station, but they were dispatched just as quickly.

The battle settled down hours later, and what was left of the enemy fled the Bajoran system. The Wildstar, battered and bruised from battle, docked on an upper pylon, the only one operational on the upper section. One was pretty much destroyed and the other had been hit as well.

Ashcroft and Kira gathered in the general's office in station ops to go over the battle. "How many dead here on the station?"

"Forty-four. We got very lucky. How about you?"

"Not so lucky. Two hundred and thirteen, most because we lost two of our five Defiant-class ships. I'll be composing plenty of 'I deeply regret to inform you' messages tonight."

"Yeah, I'll be doing the same thing here. So, how are you and Litinova doing?"

Ashcroft looked up and said, "How did you know about that?"

Kira laughed and said, "Well, there was the whole body language thing you two had when you came on board. I've been around enough humans to pick it up. You know, we Bajorans are a lot like you humans when it comes to stuff like that!"

"Yeah, well, I can guarantee you almost all the Earth women who've ever been pregnant would gladly take the five month pregnancy and the sneezing over the nine months of morning sickness."

Back on Babylon 4, Valen entered the quarters of an old friend. He noticed that the encounter suit was off to the side, and that the being was behind the glazed-over barrier. "You know, Kosh, you don't have to hide your true form to me."

Being seen like this by someone is tiring, and the day's events have worn at me., said Kosh.

Valen asked, "So, any idea if this is the end of the war?"

The end is nearing, but not here yet. The hardest days are almost upon you. The enemy has been playing their pieces well. Their final moves are almost at hand.

"Will they attack Earth?"

Yes.

"When?"

Soon.

"Will it be the one here, or my Earth?"

I do not know.

Valen looked puzzled. "You mean that?"

Yes.

Valen walked out of Kosh's quarters and was met in the hallway by Marcus. "So, what did the sage o' the age say?" Valen shrugged his shoulders and said, "You know the Vorlons, they don't say much of anything, but I did get the feeling that we are nearing an end to this conflict."

Marcus' eyebrows shot up and he said, "Really? So victory is within our reach, then?"

Sighing, Valen said, "I don't know. He said, 'The hardest days are almost upon you'. Wonder what he means by that?"

"More deaths, especially to those whom we are closest too. That's what worries me. Who else are we going to lose in this war?"

"I know, Marcus. War is hell. Truer words have never been said, and I get the feeling that we're about to go crashing through the seventh level of it soon!"