Chapter 35: Friends and Enemies
Reviewers: Your reviews keep getting longer and better. Thank you all for that.
Treymane: Thanks. Garibaldi is one of my favorite characters. Shadow tech would probably lead to better Alliance armor and fighter control technology. Shadow weapons might be adapted for Alliance ships as well. I imagine a psyker or five could keep a Shadow ship sedated. I know about Third Space now. Thanks. IF and when the Vorlons are conquered, the Alliance might make a portal into the realm, only this time they'll be ready. I know, I saw that episode.
Marine Brother Shran: I've got a system set up for jumping. Don't worry. The next galaxy will be Star Wars, and the Space Marines WILL be there. May the Emperor protect you. I haven't read that story yet.
Grufbar: Sorry about that. I'll try to have Organs as soon as possible. Consider Starcraft officially on the list of galaxies to visit.
Sean: Thanks again. Your reviews are always great. After this chapter I'm going back to the Imperium galaxy, then it's on to the next galaxy. Your pairings sound good. I'll do my best to make them happen. I'm pretty sure however, that all the Blackstone Fortresses not under Chaos control self-destructed at the end of the Gothic War. Commodore West is strong. Good ideas for the Andromeda galaxy. For the Imperium!
Oblivionknight7: One of their ships would get crushed by Clethis, but with enough numbers, they could overwhelm him like how stopping one Shadow ship exhausted Lita. In hand to hand, the psykers can only hope they can sense them before they strike, which they could.
Grayangle: Man you are hard to please! Just kidding. You're right about everyone being curious. That's probably why they're contacting their leaders. I probably haven't mentioned this, but West is from Starfleet, that's why he's so open to aliens. There maybe those who doubt the Emperor, but with the Fabricator General AND the might of Inquisitorial Grand Masters, they won't try anything without a LOT of good evidence. He's also assigning most of the xeno haters to the Ork and Tyranid war fronts. Most of those on the advance fleets are either more open minded or are from the Federation galaxy. The cults are being hunted by Inquisitors. Also, the planetary governors are merely being sent supplies to repair their worlds and help their people. If they decide to misuse it, their people will certainly know somehow.
BGTom: Thanks for the info.
Liljimmyurine: That might work, but the Imperials probably haven't considered that. Besides, the ship in the story you're talking about nearly had their ship torn apart.
It had been five days since the arrival of Commodore West's fleet. In that time, a base had been constructed on the far side of Epsilon 3. It consisted of a command station, several repair yards and a factory for constructing components and fighters.
True to West's word, Alliance technicians had begun installing phasers and torpedo launchers of Babylon 5. Not wanting to give away his best defensive system, West had ordered the installation of deflector shields instead of Void Shields.
Now that the various ambassadors had had time to confer with their leaders, West and Seer Clethis had been summoned to another meeting of the council. There was a lot of chatter when the Alliance delegates entered the room.
"Ah, Ambassador West." Sheridan greeted. West had been given the title of Ambassador since he spoke for the Alliance.
"From all the commotion I'd say either everyone hates my proposal or they all want to be the first to sign up."
"It's a little of both actually," Sheridan replied, then brought the meeting to order. Gradually the chaos died down.
"Now, who will go first?" West asked.
"I will go first," Londo said, getting to his feet. "I have conferred with Emperor Cartagia, and he has asked me to inform you that the Centauri Republic will gladly join the Alliance in return for the protection and technology benefits offered."
"I am pleased to hear that ambassador. However, since we last met, Captain Sheridan had been kind enough to allow me access to historical records. I have discovered that you recently conquered a race known as the Narn."
"Yes, they recently conducted a military campaign against us. We retaliated and carried retribution to their homeworld."
"I understand that, however, the Alliance does not support the occupation of another race. As a condition of joining the Alliance, we must ask that you leave all Narn worlds you have occupied. We will however, forgo asking you to pay war reparations to the Narn."
"WHAT? This is an outrage. The Narns attacked US first, and now you would have us return all that we have taken in the name of justice!"
"I'm afraid those are the terms of your empire's admittance into the Alliance. But think of all you stand to gain ambassador Mollari. Advanced shields, weapons, engines, not to mention protection against anyone who would threaten you, including the Narns."
"You make a tempting offer, but thousands of Centauri lives were lost in the war. We would demand reparations from the Narns for our losses."
"You brought them to their knees Ambassador. You obliterated their cities with mass drivers. I believe that is enough." That last comment caused a stir in the council.
"That may be, but we would still require something in return before we relinquish our occupation forces."
"Then I request a private meeting with you later to discuss that." Londo nodded. "Now, on to other business. Is anyone here prepared to join the Alliance?" Several hands went up from ambassadors from the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. Drazi, Brakiri, and several others. "You are prepared to accept the conditions I laid out in our last meeting?" They nodded. "Very well then, I would ask you to sign these," he said, handing out papers to the newest members of the Alliance. "These papers just confirm that you understand and accept the terms and agree to abide by them." When the signing was complete West returned to his place at the council table. "I request that each of your governments send a ship here. They will meet with one of our vessels and we will transfer the supplies and technology to you. Now, if there is no other business, I will take my leave."
Everyone got up to leave. As Londo was leaving, West caught his arm.
"Ambassador Mollari, I would like to talk to you regarding the Narn situation. I have set up quarters on this station in the ambassadorial wing. Would you accompany me?"
"Very well, but I still think you should just forget about the Narns. The Centauri would make far better allies." For the rest of the trip to West's quarters, they mostly talked about cards. West had been a very skilled poker player back in the Federation. Londo turned out to be quite the gambler himself. By the time they reached West's place, they were almost chatting like friends.
West's quarters were very similar to his suite on board the Vigilant. There were several paintings, a table and several chairs, a bed, a bathroom off to the side, and collection of weapons hanging on one wall. Londo's eyes glittered as he looked over bolters, plasma guns, lascannons, and all manner of close combat weapons.
"It certainly took some doing to get those here," West said, following Londo's gaze. "They could be yours ambassador, if you agree to my terms." Suddenly, there was a knock. "Ah, that must be the other ambassador I invited. Open!" He called, and the door opened to reveal G'kar. Londo's eyes bulged.
"What is HE doing here?" He demanded.
"I invited him. Please have a seat," West said to the Narn. "You see ambassador, many worlds have already joined the Alliance. Once we help Sheridan liberate Earth, we will have a major empire on our side. The Mimbari may or may not join, but I doubt they will interfere with us so long as we leave them alone."
"Yes, yes, what is your point?"
"I come from an empire that desires peace above all else. However, recent events in my galaxy have shown me that sometimes we must fight for what we want. The Narn understand that. They have endured Centauri occupation before, and now they are doing it again. I doubt the Centauri could display that level of courage. My point ambassador, is that I have been conferring with my government as well, and we have decided that if it came down to a choice between the Narn and the Centauri, we would choose the Narn."
"You see Mollari, as the last remaining member of the Narn government, I have pledged the loyalty of the Narn Regime to the Imperial Alliance if they rid us of Centauri occupation."
"You have two options ambassador. Either you can withdraw from Narn space peacefully and share in their admission to the Alliance, or…" He led G'kar finish.
"Or else the Alliance will drive you from our space by force and you will be denied membership."
"You would challenge the entire Centauri fleet with only thirteen ships?" Londo asked.
"You have seen what by ships can do. My fighters destroyed six human capital ships unaided. Our capital ships do not even engage. Do you honestly believe you could stand up to my armada AND that of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds?"
"Your choice is a simple one Mollari. Either give us back our land and share in the glory of the Alliance, or have your empire destroyed and have Narns occupying Centauri Prime," G'kar said, a smile on his face.
"I will speak to the Emperor," Londo said as he exited the room, barely restraining himself from tearing the place apart. After he left, G'kar spoke up.
"I believe I speak for my entire race when I say: thank you."
"It's nothing. In the galaxy of my allies, the rulers of rich planets remind me of the Centauri. Proud and prideful, but lacking any backbone when facing a stronger opponent."
"Indeed. The Centauri used mass drivers on my world because they feared the casualties they would have taken if they had simply invaded us."
"Would you care to join me I a drink ambassador?" West asked, bring out a bottle of amasec.
"I would be glad too. To new beginnings."
"To the future," West said.
Meanwhile, Londo had decided to drown his worries in drinks of his own. He had sent a message to Emperor Cartagia, but he likely wouldn't get a reply until tomorrow.
"Good drinks ambassador?" A man dressed in a dark suit asked as he sat down beside Londo.
"Mr. Morden. I was wondering when you were going to show up. I trust you've been keeping track of recent events?'
"Indeed. This Imperial Alliance could turn into a powerful force. They've asked your empire to join them haven't they?"
"Yes, but you can't imagine what they want in return. They want us to free the Narns!"
"Is that really such a high price ambassador?"
"Well I don't really have a choice. Their leader says that unless we withdraw voluntarily, they will free the Narns themselves and launch an invasion of the Centauri Republic."
"Do you believe you could fight them off?" Morden asked. Londo sighed.
"I don't think so. They were able to destroy six of the humans strongest warships with only their fighters. Their technology is astounding. Energy shielding, fighters that fly like whoosh!" He said, shooting out his arm. "Their capital ships stood up to FIVE MINUTES of firing by the Earth vessels and they took no damage."
"That is indeed impressive," Morden said.
"Here's an idea. Why don't you and you 'associates' pay a visit to the ambassador?"
"I already did. The result was...Less that pleasant."
Flashback:
"But think of what you could accomplish with our help," Morden said. He had been using every trick he knew to entice West to ally with the Shadows.
"My answer is still no. I know all about you and your 'associates'." Morden barely stopped from gasping. "I also learned about them from you."
"Me, but how?" West closed his eyes and a moment later Seer Clethis walked into the room.
"This is Master Seer Clethis. He is known as an Alpha class psyker. The strongest a human can get. Far more powerful than any telepath in this galaxy. Now, leave, or I may allow him to give you a demonstration.
"You're making a mistake," Morden said, beginning to get angry. West nodded, and the door to the room opened and Morden was thrown out of the room with great force."
End Flashback
"That Seer person was extremely powerful, and I don't believe he was anywhere close to even trying. I am asking you Mollari; allow the Narn their freedom. As part of the Alliance, you will have access to technology millennia ahead of anyone. My associates and I would be extremely grateful if you did this for us."
"Well, since there is really no other choice, I suppose I will do this. "
"Thank you Londo. I promise you will not regret this," Morden said, then walked away.
"Why do I feel I already do?" Londo asked to no one as he reached for another drink.
In his room, Commodore West and Seer Clethis are talking.
"What did you sense?"
"I am certain that Mr. Morden is working for the Shadows. He knows much, but he also had two Shadow creatures with him. I was not able to get much from them. Their minds were very strange. I could sense much but discern little. However I believe I do know where several of their derelict ships are located. If we capture one we could learn all we would need about their tactical capabilities."
"Very well then, I will send some of our ships to obtain one. This galaxy is turning out to be quite interesting. Nothing here is exactly what it appears to be. However, we will do what we can here until the wormhole is reopened and the main fleets can come through. Until then, we must hold our own against many unknown foes. I only hope that we can do this."
"We can sir. With the support of the new allies we have here and the abilities of your men, we will hold the line against anything that tries to tear us down."
"I hope you're right my friend. I can only think that we have along and dark path ahead of us."
How was that? The Centauri will join the Alliance, but now Mr. Morden and the Shadows know about the Alliance as well. Also, what will the Mimbari and more importantly, the Vorlons do? Find out soon. In the next chapter, the Alliance will go to a new galaxy and confront a foe just as large and powerful as themselves. Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of Dark Future. See ya soon, and don't forget to review!
ENTILZA