Chapter 34: Settling In
Reviewers:
Silvanas: Thanks. Are you suggesting an Eldar rebellion against the Imperium? If not, what did you mean by dissidents? I probably will stay in the B5 galaxy for at least one more chapter. Thanks for the information about Freelancer.
Treymane: You're right about the soul thing probably coming in handy. Are you suggesting the Alliance salvage a Shadow ship? That might be cool. You're right; the Shivans might prove a challenge for the Alliance.
Liljimmyurine: What other way is there to travel to other galaxies quickly?
BGTom: Good call on B5 Hyperspace. The cargo ships are probably carrying enough supplies to build at least a small factory. What's Third Space?
Grayangle: Yes, I do like your ranting because it always brings up good questions or good ideas. I am NOT a dark souled person. One: I am going to decrease the psykers power because the warp where they are isn't as powerful as the one in the Imperium's galaxy. Also, they may need an Alpha class if Kosh doesn't like what they're doing. Remember, Kosh is a FIRST ONE, not a Vorlon. Two: The Emperor is only directly commanding Inquisitors through the Inquisition Grand Masters who are loyal to him. He is not commanding planetary governors. He is only sending them supplies and telling them what he thinks they should be put to use doing.
Unknown: Thanks for the suggestion. I saw the Wing Commander movie, so that's probably where I'd enter.
Oblivionknight7: I'm trying to make my chapters longer. Federation tech may be more advanced than Earth Alliance technology, but the Imperial Alliance may still have a bit of trouble with the stealth system. Wait and you'll see.
Joseph: Thanks. I was actually thinking of going to the other two new galaxies first, then going back to the 40k galaxy. Is that all right? Don't worry, there's still plenty left that needs doing in the 40k galaxy.
Commodore West's shuttle landed in docking bay 7. Sheridan and several of the senior staff were there. They were all eager to meet the man who had undoubtedly saved them all from becoming space debris. The Commodore's shuttle was different from any they'd seen before. (Think modified Runabout).
West was the first one off the shuttle. He was a tall, strong looking man with short black hair and a piercing but compassionate gaze. He wore a bolt pistol strapped to one hip, and a power sword on the other. Three others followed him. Sheridan stepped forward.
"Commodore West. I'm Captain John Sheridan, commander of Babylon 5." He stepped to the side. "This is Commander Susan Ivonova; my second in command, Doctor Stephen Franklin my chief medical officer, and this is Michael Garibaldi, my chief of security."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Commodore Duncan West, commander of the Imperial Alliance Expeditionary Force. This is Commander Thomas Trell, my First Officer, my security chief Mark Rall, and Chief Seer Clethis." Clethis was dressed differently from the others. He wore a gray cloak that covered everything except his face. Garibaldi seemed slightly agitated.
"A Seer? I've never heard that rank before. What's his position?" Sheridan asked.
"He and his subordinates scan the minds of those near our ships if we ever find ourselves in the middle of a battle and don't know which side to support. That was the reason we aided you and not the Earth Alliance strike force."
"So your telepaths can scan a quarter million minds in a few seconds?" Garibaldi asked. West turned back to Sheridan.
"Captain, I believe we should continue our conversation in a more private place."
"Of course, follow me," he said. Sheridan led them to a conference room where they all took a seat. Delenn came in a few moments later. "Delenn, have seat." He said. "Commodore West, this Ambassador Delenn of the Mimbari Federation."
"A pleasure," West said. "Now, shall we get down to business? First, I will take questions."
"Yeah, you never answered my question," Garibaldi said. "Your telepaths can scan the minds of everyone on this station in just a few seconds?"
"Seer Clethis has dozens of other Seers on board our other ships who assist him, but yes. They basically sense strong emotions and obtain critical information."
"I'm impressed that you were able to fight off the attack force with only your fighters," Ivonova said.
"Yes, we were as well. I have little doubt that if our capital ships had engaged, one of our cruisers could have handled the entire force."
"I think the question on everyone's mind is: what are you going to do now?" Sheridan asked.
"Somehow, the wormhole we used to get here has collapsed. We are currently attempting to send a message through the micro-wormhole that is still here. In the meantime however, we will follow our original objective."
"What exactly is your objective?" Delenn asked.
"To find allies in this galaxy who share the Alliance's views of unity and peace. We chose your side because you share the ideals of peace but you are also willing to fight for them."
"So you're willing to help us in our fight against Clark?" Garibaldi asked.
"Yes, we are. Also, we know that some people here have knowledge of another enemy. One far darker and more powerful." Delenn tensed.
"Is something wrong Delenn?" Sheridan asked.
"I must ask that everyone in this room swear not to reveal any of what I am about to tell you," she said with deadly seriousness in her voice. Everyone nodded.
"This must be something really important," Franklin said.
"It is. The Commodore is speaking of a race that had existed for countless eons. They battled the original inhabitants of this galaxy, called the First Ones, over and over across a million years. Over time, the First Ones went away, but the Shadows, for that is the only name we have for them, remained. The last great war against them was ten thousand years ago. They were defeated, but not destroyed. Now, they are beginning to rebuild their forces. The Mimbari are the only race left, aside from the Vorlons, who have faced them before."
"So why don't the Vorlons fightjoinwith the Mimbari and finish 'em off?" Garibaldi asked.
"Because they feel that the younger races should. This is likely at test, to see if the younger races have reached a point where they are able to cooperate."
"So basically they're too lazy and want us to do their work for 'em," Garibaldi said.
"Well, with our new allies maybe we can stand up to them," Franklin said.
"You must remember Doctor, that my fleet currently possesses only thirteen combat vessels. Depending on the strength of the Shadow fleet we may have to wait for the wormhole to be reopened and our main fleet can come through. However, we will help you any way we can," West said.
"You said your fleet had only thirteen combat ships, what about the other two?" Sheridan asked.
"They are cargo ships, carrying supplies to set up our initial staging base here. That brings up another point Captain Sheridan. Would you consent to us setting up our base here or would you have us set up elsewhere?"
"I'd prefer that incoming ships not catch site of you, but you could always just set up on the other side of Epsilon 3, the planet the station's orbiting," Sheridan responded.
"That won't be a problem. Now then, what shall we do? Would you like to begin a technological exchange?"
"You'd be willing to share your technology with us?" Sheridan asked.
"Of course. That is one of the benefits of joining the Alliance."
"Hey captain. The other empires'll be wondering where we got all this new tech all of a sudden," Garibaldi said. "What're we gonna tell 'em?"
"I believe that's a question for the Commodore. There are a lot of people who'd kill to get even a tenth of the technology you possess."
"I see. Still, I'm sure we can work something out. We can begin by enhancing your station's defenses. I believe we could install Void Shields and weapons without risking too much. Our technology is designed to be easy to manufacture, but only if you have a technology base as advanced as ours. Even if other races do obtain our technology, they would find it impossible to replicate."
"Still, maybe we should convene the council," Sheridan said.
"The council?" Commodore West asked.
"The Council is a collection of ambassadors from each of the empires. They meet and together we try to negotiate disputes and settle conflicts. That was the original purpose behind this station. But if we do that, they may attempt to steal your technology."
"I believe it would be wise," West said. "Many of the people on this station undoubtedly witnessed the battle with the Earth Alliance fleet. I believe it would be best for them to know that the technology they seek could be theirs if they join the Alliance."
"Some might only join to get the technology," Sheridan warned.
"They would still require us to show them how the technology works and how to make more of it, a task that could only be done by us. Also, even if they did try to use the technology against us, we could still eliminate anyone who tries."
"I agree, we should convene the council," Delenn said.
"All right, we'll to it," Sheridan said.
The next day, the council was ready. Commodore West and Chief Seer Clethis sat beside Sheridan, Delenn and Londo.
"Now as many of you probably know, yesterday a large strike fleet from Earth attempted to seize control of Babylon 5. They would have succeeded as well, if it hadn't been for the arrival of an expeditionary force from an empire known as the Imperial Alliance. They defended this station and now they wish for anyone whowants to join their empire as well."
"And what exactly would we stand to gain by joining?" Londo asked. Commodore West turned his head and looked at the Centauri ambassador.
"Access to our advanced technology, the protection of our fleets when they arrive, and the knowledge that you are a part of something that is far vaster than any one of you. However, if you require a demonstration, then please observe," West said, activating a hologram projector that produced a screen everyone could see. They watched the Earth Alliance strike force engage the Imperial fighters and get slaughtered. They saw the Omega class destroyers fire at the Alliance ships and have their fire get deflected by Void Shields, which were also mounted on their fighters. The entire time the Earth Alliance destroyers kept firing.
"Why didn't your ships return fire?" Londo asked.
"Because we didn't need too," West replied. "At the end of the battle, my ship, which sustained the most fire, still had seventy percent of its shields." There was a stunned silence. They had just been told that five minutes of firing by two Omega destroyers had only taken a cruiser level ship's shields down thirty percent.
"You'd be willing to share this technology with us?" The Drazi ambassador asked.
"If you're willing to join the alliance and abide by our laws," West answered.
"What would those laws demand?" Londo asked.
"You would swear to stand together against any threat, come to each others aid, allow every race the opportunity to join the Alliance, and share any new technology developed with the other members of the alliance."
"Babylon 5 is officially the first member of the Imperium. Already, Alliance technicians are outfitting the station with shield generators and low level weapons," Sheridan said.
"I suggest we adjourn so we may contact our governments," Londo said.
"Very well. We'll reconvene here in ten hours," Sheridan said, then ended the meeting.
"I thing that went well," West said when everyone had left.
"We shall soon see," Delenn said.
Meanwhile, forces that no one could see moved. They too had learned of the arrival of the Alliance force. They also knew they had no way to get home or bring in reinforcements. If they could gain the loyalty of these new arrivals, their victory would be assured.
"Well then, I suppose it's time to pay another visit to my friend Mr. Mollari," a man said to his invisible companions.
How was that? The Shadows will attempt to get the Imperial Alliance on their side. Will Commodore West stay loyal to the Alliance? Will any other races join the Alliance? Stay tuned and find out. See ya soon and don't forget to review!
ENTILZA