Chapter 46: Shadow Motions
Reviewers:
Silvanas: Soon. You should learn to enjoy plot development.
BGTom: It's fine. Congrats about your grandson.
Oblivionknight7: Yes.
Grayangle: Thanks. Tell me what you think of this chapter.
The BEE: I'll probably save your idea for when I do the Shadow Imperium universe. Sounds cool though.
Lennox: Thanks, so what do you think of the Captain and the Shadow ship thing? I think the Seers should be able to help the telepaths and through that gain Bester's help in taking down Clark. The fleet has mostly Guard, along with a single Imperial Fists company and some of the new Tau battle suits for their elite guard squads.
Sean: Thanks! You really like Andromeda don't you? So what do you mean by reminents of Andromeda's original shipyard. For the Imperium!
Two weeks had passed since the Shadow vessel had been obtained. Sheridan was preparing to launch his campaign to take down President Clark. Commodore West had pledged the support of the Alliance fleet. The Alexander and the Churchill had returned to form the core of Sheridan's fleet. The White Stars were with him as well, but he wanted to try and keep this an Earth Alliance affair and only involve the aliens if necessary. West and Seer Clethis had been invited to a session of the newly formed Liberation Council. When West and Clethis entered everyone else was already there. The B5 command staff, Delenn, G'kar, and Londo. Even Kosh was attending, though no one knew why. He stood silent in a corner, his breathing the only sign he was there.
"Ok, now that everyone's here, let's begin," said Sheridan, looking better than he had in a while. The Alliance had given everyone new hope for the future. "First order of business. Proxima three. As the closest colony to Earth declaring independence, Clark's decided he needs to retake it to prevent other colonies close to Earth from defecting."
"Do you think if we help Proxima Clark will go after other worlds that are voicing support for us?" Ivonova asked.
"It's a possibility," Sheridan replied.
"Well we can't defend every system at once."
"Perhaps we can," West said, smiling. He activated the hologram projector in the center of the table and a rotating image of a satellite appeared. It was constructed of black metal and looked a lot like an Earth defense platform, except that instead of missile boxes jutting from its sides it had smaller spheres. "This is new from our R&D department. Its official name is the Starfort class defense satellite, but we call it the fireball. It's armed with five pulse phaser arrays, fifteen quantum torpedo launchers and a single Lance battery. Its defenses consist of triple reinforced void shields and three meters of adamantium armor. It's capable of taking on anything short of a Vorlon ship pretty easily."
"All right, I'm officially impressed," Garibaldi said a moment later.
"Can you manufacture these?" Delenn asked. She was thinking of what those platforms could do against Shadow vessels.
"We already have ten up and running. We're planning to use them to augment the station's defenses in case Clark decided to attack while we're out."
"How many of these defense platforms can you make?" Ivonova asked. She had been suspicious of this Alliance at first, but was slowly beginning to trust them.
"As many as you need. We may need some of the raw materials, but we can produce as many as you'd like."
"So that means that every planet we liberate,' Sheridan said, his eyes betraying the fact he was having a mild daydream.
"We just drop a couple of these babies and boom, instant defense grid," Garibaldi finished.
"Correct Mr. Garibaldi," West stated. He turned to Sheridan. "You realize Captain, that my ships could easily use transwarp and appear right over Earth. We could take out the defense grid and capture Clark, all within a few minutes."
"Maybe, but if we do that, the forces loyal to Clark might go rouge. No, we'll try and get some of Clark's forces on our side first, then we'll talk about Earth."
"I see the wisdom in your strategy Captain," West said. "What would you have my forces do?"
"While we're tied up with Earth, the Shadows are likely going to start attacking more openly. Your ships' speed would allow you to respond to a Shadow attack almost as soon as it begins. That could give us a significant advantage."
"A sound decision." West was debating whether or not to tell the Council about the Shadow ship they'd acquired. They had already made significant advances in creating enhanced armor and weapons that, while much more effective than AQ weapons, was still below Imperial tech. As a test, they had taken the hull design of an Omega class destroyer and built it practically from the ground up. It had launched and was waiting, cloaked, for its first orders. He decided it could help morale if they knew the Alliance could modify all of their ships as well. It could also entice more races to join the Alliance.
"Commodore, are you all right?" Sheridan asked, snapping West back to reality.
"Yes Captain. I was just thinking about something. You know our technology is more advanced than your. We recently made a breakthrough that we would like to share with you."
"What breakthrough are you talking about?" Delenn asked. She was intrigued.
"I believe it would be easier to show you," West replied. He knew they would be impressed.
After the meeting West had everyone board his shuttle. They orbited Epsilon 3 until the Imperial complex came into view. It was a collection of stations, shipyards and defense satellites. Ships sat in dry-dock, receiving upgrades sent via Midas array through the wormhole. The shuttle weaved between warships and stations to dock at the primary research station. It was jet black, just like the rest of the stations. This had been done to minimize the chances it would be seen. The research platform was shaped like a giant mushroom, with a wide top and a slim tube going down.
Inside the station, everyone walked through a literal maze of research labs, experiment rooms filled with technology no one had ever seen, and testing chambers. Finally they arrived at a lift. West entered a pass code, did a retinal scan and a genetic scan and the door opened. It was a tight fit in the tube, especially with Kosh. Everyone looked curious and a bit anxious.
"What you all are about to see may come as a shock," West warned. "I only ask that you keep an open mind."
The lift opened to reveal a massive room two kilometers wide. Powerful floodlights hung from the ceiling. This was the top floor of the station and where the research was being conducted on the Alliance's latest acquisition. For in the center of the room, with numerous tubes attached and robotic arms probing the hull, lay a Shadow battleship. Needless to say, everyone's jaws immediately hit the floor. Ivonova was the first to recover.
"Is that what I think it is?" She asked, shock evident in her voice.
"Yes it is Commander. That is a Shadow battleship. We salvaged it several weeks ago from a planet. Its technology is impressive to say the least. So, what do you think?" West asked. No one spoke. "Well, if you'd like a demonstration, I can provide that."
"A demonstration?" Delenn asked. She was still shocked by the scene before her.
"Yes. You see, since we began our research on this vessel, we've been attempting to adapt its technology to our own vessels. Would you like to see our latest success?"
"All right?" Garibaldi said. "I guess I can stand this."
"Very well." West tapped his commbadge. "West to Shadow. You're clear to decloak," he said. "If everyone would care to look out the window," he said. Everyone gazed out at what appeared to be empty space. Then, with a shimmer, a vessel similar to an Omega destroyer appeared. Its hull was covered with a black spider web of organic armor. Shadow spines protruded from random points. The rotating section was gone, replaced by two backward sweeping fins similar to those on a Mimbari vessel. It was also larger than a standard Omega.
"What is that?" Sheridan asked.
"My friends, meet the future of Earth Alliance war vessels. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the first Omega mark two heavy destroyer. It carries five Shadow cutting beams, ten heavy plasma cannons, fifteen standard plasma cannons, and twenty quantum torpedo launchers. It's protected by three layers of heavy void shields and bio-armor. Powered by two high energy plasma reactors and driven by a gravidic drive. Also it is 40 larger than a standard Omega."
"There's no rotation section," Ivonova noticed.
"Yes, the ship has artificial gravity." Suddenly West's commbadge beeped. "West here."
"Commodore, one of our deep space listening probes just picked up a Shadow attack in Drazi space."
"Have the Shadow and the Vigilance prepare for combat," he ordered. "Well, it seems the Shadow is about to have her first taste of combat. Would you care to observe?" West asked.
"I suppose," Sheridan said. The rest nodded, except for Kosh and Londo. Kosh would return to his room on Babylon 5, and Londo's love Adera was due to arrive very soon. They would both return on a medical ship that was delivering supplies to the B5 station.
"West to Shadow, seven to beam up," he said before everyone was surrounded by blue light and suddenly found themselves on the Shadow's bridge. It was larger than an Earth Force ship's bridge but the basic configuration was the same. West took the Captain's chair. "Set a course for Drazi apace and engage transwarp," he ordered. The two Alliance ships seemed to elongate and glow green for a moment before slipping into transwarp space. They would soon find out just how much of a beating their ships could take.
Drazi vessels exploded rapidly under the onslaught of the Shadow vessels that were attacking. Three capital ships and their fighters. Orange dots filled space as Sunhawks were obliterated. The Shadows were nearly to their target, a colony, when two vessels suddenly appeared. A massive rectangular vessel and what appeared to be a larger version of a human ship. Both immediately opened fire. A lance battery obliterated one of the capital vessels, causing it to glow orange and blow apart. The other two directed there fighters to protect them, but the small ships were no match for Alliance Blaze interceptors. The Shadow battleships both fired cutting beams at the Omega mark two. Its shields glowed white under the attack but held.
On board the Shadow, the B5 command staff watched mystified as the Shadow weapons were stopped.
"How strong are those shields?" Garibaldi asked.
"They are currently at eighty-five percent," Marie, the ship's AI, reported. Marie has long blond hair and blue eyes. Each ship captain was granted permission to choose their own AI's appearance, within certain limits of course. Everyone had been astounded that the Alliance possessed AI technology.
"After two Shadow beam hits?" Sheridan was astounded. Almost any ship would be cut in half by a Shadow ship's main weapon.
The Shadow fighters were being cut down by volleys of quantum torpedoes. The Vigilance was hanging back, letting the new ship take most of the heat as a test of its capabilities.
"Sir, detecting five more Shadow crab ships phasing in," an officer reported. The group watched as five more battle crabs phased into real space, their signature scream piercing the minds of everyone on board. "Orders sir?"
"Have the Vigilant move up. It'll take both of us to destroy that many ships. Captain Sheridan, I would like to ask you something. Do you approve of our use of the enemy's technology?" West asked as the Dictator class cruiser moved up to cover the Omega destroyer. The Shadows were moving up as well. Their weapons concentrated on the Vigilant, taking its shields down by half. The defensive screens glowed a blinding white as they absorbed the incredible energies impacting against them.
"Well, as much as Shadow technology scares me, you seem to be using it in a positive way. Still, Shadow technology is beyond anything I know, so I still have some reservations," Sheridan answered, watching as another Shadow ship fell to their own weapons, the purple beams slicing the battle crab in half. It shriveled and disappeared. Suddenly the rest of the Shadows phased out. Apparently they'd had enough.
"They ran," Ivonova said, amazed.
"Yes they did," Sheridan replied, grinning from ear to ear. "This could be just the victory we need to bring the rest of the League worlds into the Alliance. Did your sensors get all that?" He asked West.
"Oh yes, on sensors and on film. I thought you might want to use it," West said as an aid handed him a data chip.
"Well Captain, I think we should return to base. My people are currently preparing a series of relief runs to the Narn homeworld. If you'd like we could begin modifying the Alexander and the Churchill with our new technology.
"You'd have to speak to their captains," Sheridan responded. He was still seeing the battle in his mind. Before this he'd thought only Vorlon ships were an even match for Shadow vessels, but the Alliance ships had taken them on seven ships to two and won. On the trip back to B5 he played the battle again and again on his console. This, he thought, could be the beginning of a great new chapter in human history.
Ob board B5, Londo was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his love Adera Teri. He'd spend a huge amount of credits on a welcome for her, but it didn't matter. Adera was one of the few bright points in his life. He waited and waited.
"Excuse me, is there anyone else behind you?" He asked the last man off the transport. He shook his head. Londo walked towards the entry hatch and saw a body being rolled on a stretcher. An Alliance doctor who had come with the medical supplies came along behind the ambassador.
"I'm sorry Ambassador, you'll have to stay back" a doctor said when Londo got too close.
"Who is that?" He demanded.
"Her name is Adera Teri." Londo felt the knot in his stomach turn into a lance of pure sadness. The shock that his love was dead nearly caused him to collapse.
The Alliance doctor came over and ran a scanner over the body.
"What are you doing?" The B5 doctor asked.
"Hm, yes, poison," the Alliance doctor said to himself. "Level three. Don't worry ambassador," he said to Londo, his glasses dripping a bit.
"Don't worry!" Londo cried. "Adera, my one true love, is dead!"
"Dead yes Ambassador, but not necessarily gone." Londo looked up.
"What are you talking about?"
"Our medical technology is far ahead of yours. We are capable of reviving someone as long as seventy-five hours after death."
"You mean you can save her?" Londo asked. Suddenly he felt hope, both for him and everything else.
"Perhaps. We'll need to take her to our medical bay."
"Go right ahead! If there's anything you can do for her then do it!"
"Very well Ambassador." The doctor handed over the duty of delivering the medical supplies to his aid and transported himself and Adera to the Alliance's medical station. Londo stood rooted to the spot for nearly twenty minutes, then returned to his quarters. He knew Refa had done it. He would soon have his revenge. He thought that perhaps he should think about switching allegiances from Mr. Morden to the Alliance, if they could save Adera. Perhaps this Imperial Alliance could work out for the best. But first he would wait for word on Adera.
Mr. Morden was not a happy man. He had received word of the Shadows defeat. He knew they had to stop this Alliance now of they risked loosing everything. They would have to do something and soon. Then he was struck by inspiration. There was one person who just might be able to convince Sheridan to give the Shadows what they needed. He sent the message. SHE would be here soon. Hopefully she would be able to get what the Shadows needed if they were to prevail. If it worked the Shadows would soon have the means to take everything they needed.
How was that? The Shadows have experienced their first defeat. Londo is considering abandoning Morden and Sheridan is about to make his first move against Clark. But will SHE be able to change his mind? Stay tuned for Reunion and find out. See ya then, and don't forget to review!
ENTILZA