Consequences of Actions

by Bob Regent

StargateBabylon 5 crossover. A SGC ship fighting the Goauld discovers that they aren't the only enemy Earth has to worry about. Now Completed, Look out for Book two.

27. Chapter 24

Chapter 24
"I've always had a bit of a blind spot with Sevens"

EA Outpost Hamunaptra
Wolf 359 System Outskirts

"What have we got Lieutenant?"

"Nothing yet Sir, the scans are clear for a good light year in all directions."

"Keep on alert. Those Minbari will be back and we're all that's left in this quadrant."

"Aye, Sir.

The first indication that the system was under attack was the destruction of the outermost sensor stations at the system's edge and hyperspace sensor satellites in hyperspace itself. Attacks from multiple angles stripped the system of it's long range detection capability and it's communications with any other system on the border.

The last of the outposts was hit by no less than four Sharlin war cruisers simultaneously, causing the entire outpost to implode as the vacuum of space, crushing the station like a tin can.

The station got a single word signal out to the System's main station- "Incoming"

With the destruction of the last of the system's outposts, the sixteen ship force headed deeper into the system towards the command base and shipyards of Wolf 359.

Wolfhound Command Station
Wolf 359 system
Orion Sector
Same time

The tachyon signal from the outpost arrived at the command station only seconds after its transmission. The station by a quirk of universal nature also named 'Wolfhound station' registered the bad it was on. The communication could only mean one thing; the Minbari had penetrated into the inner colonies.

"Commander, we've lost communications with Earthdome. We've got jamming over all the wavelengths."

"Contact all ships have the fleet come to standby and launch all Starfuries."

"Aye Sir."

From the three stations that made up Wolfhound, more than ninety Starfuries left their bays and joined the swarming mass of fighters from the alert ships. The few remaining ships had been reinforced by Earthforce a week beforehand and had yet to meet the Minbari in battle.

The Multitude of Starfury wings took up flanking and point positions around the fleet, Olympus, older Avenger Carriers, and even the ancient Tethys Cutters had been pulled together to reinforce the front lines. The carriers now launched their dual squadrons while the Hyperions and Nova released their own flights. The Minbari jumped into the system well away from the Human ships.

"Sitrep."

"Sir, we're reading sixteen Minbari ships coming into the system. Only three of the big guys though, the rest seem to be frigates or smaller."

"They know how many ships we have in system," he said reviewing the situation. "Even with their stealth we'd destroy them all."

"I don't know Sir. It's possible they didn't want to use too many ships in case we had that new scanning system Earthforce has developed."

"How many ships do?"

"Two Sir, the Hyperion and the Agamemnon."

"A thirty year old ships and a ship of green officers, great. Have them both pull back to the inner defensive systems, bring what we have left online to defend them."

"Aye Sir missile launchers and pulse cannons active, SIR engineering reports we've lost the servos in the railgun turrets, their stuck fast, Sir."

"Nukes?"

"Two in the silos Sir. Eight more in the cargo bays, no use to us except as destruct systems."

"Any chance a fighter could lug one out there?"

"Negative Sir, the Starfuries have enough of a problem against the Nials as it is hauling a nuke is suicide."

"Never mind, anything else?"

"No Sir, the systems destroyed in the last siege haven't been restored yet. The cargo ships and engineering teams have moved away from the battle, their escorts are patrolling our rear side in case it's a trap."

"Understood, any chance of contacting Earthdome?"

"Negative Sir, the local beacon's being masked by the Minbari. Even the refit ships can't pierce the interference."

"Get me Fleet Command."

EAS Hephestion
Nova Class Dreadnaught
Command ship Wolf 359 Defence Fleet
Wolf 359 System

Across the other side of the system, the last of the destroyed ships was being picked over by one of the ships of the system defence fleet. The Nova dreadnaught was the sole surviving ship left of the original hundred and twenty strong Wolf 359 defence force. It's command had been damaged or outright destroyed by non-stop attacks against the station and it's forces over the course of the preceding weeks.

The reinforcements had been a godsend to the badly mauled and outnumbered defenders. The fleet had been in time to destroy a pair of Sharlins using the Nova as a moving target. The warriors had been overconfident to the extent that a barrage of fire had bracketed the warcruisers from behind blowing both apart in plasma and nuclear fire.

The cruisers and dreadnaughts had cruised into the system each ship group entering into predetermined patrols to replace those ships already lost to the Minbari advance. The patrols sent back images that were all too familiar to the human ships.

Minbari debris and crippled ship hulks were dotted around the system usually intermingled with the smaller human ships where some had been rammed or had been caught in an explosion of a fusion reactor. However what was apparent was that the destroyed Minbari ships were grossly outnumbered by the dozens of hulks of human ships of the line.

The days had gone on, each ship was found and pulled back to the single functioning dockyard, weapons and equipment stripped for use on the functional ships in the system. One scan proved that a single Sagittarius class Missile frigate had not even fired it's main weapons in anger before it was sliced apart by close range fire from fusion weapons. Its missile racks were still intact and ready for firing- the ship's emergency reactors still powering the derelict ship.

"Hephestion to Shipyard."

"Go ahead."

"We've got a missile frigate here. All weapons still armed and ready, request immediate dispatch of a tender to bring her in."

"Negative Hephestion, all ships are being called back to the station. We've got incoming."

"What?"

"Sir?" A voice came from the comm. Officer. "We've got a signal from Wolfhound station. We've got Minbari ships coming in."

"Shit, get us over there maximum speed."

"Aye, Sir."

"Engineering this is the bridge."

"Aye, Sir."

"Redline the Engines Mac, we've got incoming Minbari ships."

"Aye, Sir. We'll get this lady there for the ball."

"All weapons stations read ready, Sir. Energy routing systems are still under repair Sir. We've no more that fifty percent."

"Understood, get what you can out of the system."

"Aye Sir."

The routing system had been designed for use aboard the Nova class destroyers shortly before the war with the Minbari. The Nova class ships were over-gunned for their size and their power plants underpowered to arm all the ship's weapons as well as its engines. In response to that a design allowing immediate transfer of power from one area of the ship's weapons to another was designed.

Only a few of the Nova class ships built in the last few years had the system. It was impossible to retrofit it into the earlier vessels and it took time to incorporate into the Novas on the slipways. The Novas were needed on the front lines and so with the exception of a half dozen in construction around Titan, the Novas went on without the refits.

Now the Hephestion was one of three of these ships in service and it was hoped that the ability to arm and rearm individual weapons system around the ship without losing speed would be of help against the Minbari. Indeed it was this system that had allowed the Nova class ship to survive thus far, unfortunately the system was prone to failure as the crew had found out to the chagrin.

"Sir, in-system ships are engaging the Minbari."

"On Speakers."

"Wolfhound Station to all ships, lock on the larger ships and fire at will. All fighters break by squadrons and attack. Watch for enemy fighters."

"Avenger One to all Fighters, break by squadrons. Missile attacks on the escort ships let the big boys take the bigger bastards down."

"Theta one to Avenger One, we're not receiving telemetry from the fleet."

"Delta One to Avenger, same here we're not receiving anything."

Each squadron leader added their information to the mix. Every one of the Starfury squadrons were in the same fix as none were capable of receiving the targeting information from the Hyperions in orbit of the Wolfhound station.

"Avenger One to Hyperion, come in."

"This is Hyperion Go."

"Hyperion, fighter wings are Bingo for telemetry, we have negative, repeat negative targeting solutions for enemy ships."

"Avenger, Hyperion, roger that. The systems are ineffective at your distance, repeat systems are ineffective at your distance. Pull back to fleet we have to let them come to us."

"Roger that Hyperion, all wings incoming."

Wolfhound Command station
Tactical Situation room.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Sir, the Hyperion and Agamemnon are reporting degradation in targeting solutions. The fleet is pulling back until we can get the SWACS fully operational."

"What's wrong with them?"

"Sir, the scanner system refits are not designed for the ships they are aboard. The scanners while capable of seeing them are unreliable at range. We're lucky to even see them at mid ranges."

"Meaning we can only use co-ordinated fire against the Minbari once we are in their weapons range."

"Yes, Sir."

"Dammit, contact all ships have hem pull back and bring up the Agamemnon. We'll have to try something else."

"Aye, Sir."

The Hyperion broke ranks with the other ships in the fleet and increased speed to travel the distance quickly. They passed the incoming human ships as they pulled back away from the encroaching Minbari ships.

The plan was simple, while the Agamemnon could see the ships to an extent it was all but impossible to get an accurate lock at range. The Agamemnon would stand well ahead of the fleet in front of the Minbari. The Hyperion would be able to see the Minbari ships while the bulk of the force was still out of range. Tied into the other Hyperion's scanner systems they would be able to see the Minbari ships at the same range as the Achilles if not the sensitivity of said scanners.

This left the two sides equal in scanning range and would allow both sides to combat on an equal footing, but it was more than clear to the Agamemnon's crew that this was a one way trip. They would not be able to get away from the incoming Minbari fire without taking immense damage or even destruction by the Minbari ships.

EAS Agamemnon
Hyperion Class Warship
Wolf 359 Picket ship

"Agamemnon to Wolfhound, we have Minbari on visual, taking evasive action."

"Wolfhound to Agamemnon, Roger that. We have telemetry to all ships we can see them- good luck."

"Thanks Wolfhound, Out."

"Sir, we are in range of their weapons, and our own."

"Keep evasive. Don't try to hit them unless we have no choice. It's unlikely but if we keep well away they may leave us alone- it's the best bet for the fleet."

"We'll try, Sir."

A new voice from behind spoke up.

"SIR, we have two Tinashi's breaking off. One's heading out system and the others headed for us."

"Time to interception?"

"Three minutes."

"Ready all weapons, safeties off the nukes. Let's try to slow them down."

"Sir, message from fleet command the other ship's going after the Hephestion. Sir, they won't know its coming."

"Can we break through the jamming?"

"Negative Sir, only close range is available. The Hephestion was on system scouting duties and may be out of close range comms."

"Sir, we have Starfury squadrons coming into range, slightly behind us and accelerating."

"What?"

"They are readying an Alpha strike Sir. Minbari ships are launching fighters in response."

"Target the enemy escorts and feed the information to the fighters."

"Fighters Launching Missiles Sir. Full Alpha strike reading four hundred plus missiles outbound for the Minbari ships."

"Minbari ships coming in."

"Keep scanner locks at all costs."

"INCOMING FIRE."

Minbari Council Chambers
Religious Council Meeting Rooms
Minbar

"Satai Delenn?"

The Minbari Satai looked to her side as a very young acolyte approached her.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Satai, I have a message for you."

"Indeed" she asked. "What is it?"

"We have lost Contact with Anla'shok Na Lenonn and the Sha'mak."

"What happened?"

"We do not know. The Sha'mak transited to hyperspace near the Centauri border with the Earthers and we have not heard anything since. We were informed that if they became lost or just out of contact to inform you of what had happened. It has been four days since we heard from the ship by flyer sent to the Monastery close to the border."

"What has been the Centauri response to the loss of their ship?"

"With the Sha'mak in the area the Centauri did not choose to send more of their ships to find the 'Centauri Resplendent', however with the loss of the Sha'Mak the Centauri may send more ships to find out what has happened to either ship."

"Keep several ships on the border and let me know if the Centauri send any ships into the system or any place close."

"Yes Satai."

"Dispatch the Tre'mar, the She'mor and the Shaka'laka to those coordinates and report back."

"At once, Satai."

The Young Acolyte/Ranger left the chambers to see to his duties and to send on the orders from Delenn, the young Satai turned and sealer her doors and windows and lit a single lamp by her side for meditation.

Time dropped to a crawl as she felt the familiar presence behind her as they always seemed to appear.

"You heard the news?" she asked.

"Yes," the being said.

"Do you know what is happening?"

"Yes."

The Minbari turned around to see the imposing figure of her guardian figure, a Vorlon.

"Then what is happening, are we in danger from these newcomers?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"All has changed, the humans are much more than they once were."

"They are fighting back with help from other humans from another place."

"Another space," the Vorlon corrected.

"Where?"

"A place far from here and close to our own."

"Who are they?"

"Newcomers, they have changed."

"Are they still important to the coming war?"

"Perhaps."

"What do we do?"

"Watch, and learn."

"Learn what?"

"Learn."

With that the Vorlon that once would have been known as Kosh Naranek disappeared into the shadows of the room and away from Delenn. Delenn turned from the figure and didn't flinch as she heard the door open and close allowing the Ancient being to leave the chambers.

"Learn?" she whispered into the darkness. She knew she would not sleep much that night, nor again until this war was finished- one way or another.

USAF Prometheus
Achilles Rift
Same time

The Prometheus' scanner systems watched as the immense Angelfish-shaped Minbari warship was brought under control by the four Ha'taks in the system; the ship was in bad condition.

Close up it was obvious that the Minbari ship had while been badly damaged, had come through better than the Centauri Cruiser had done. The ship was mostly intact with the fins and other protrusions been ripped off or melted into slabs of crystalline and metal. The hull was mostly intact with scorch marks and burns dotted across its surface.

The massive ship must have been much more capable than the Centauri ship to have survived the passage in operational order. The ship's systems seemed to be offline allowing the human ship to scan the Sharlin inside and out without interruption.

All around the vessel, cargo ships were approaching from the five allied ships in the system. United States Marines and Free Jaffa warriors were geared up to take the ship by force if necessary- or simply to defend the first air and relief teams from the Prometheus and the Jaffa ships.

"Sir, the first of the Cargo ships is approaching the Minbari, the cloaking device and defensive fields are down- we should have no problem transporting aboard."

"Thank you Colonel," said O'Neill. "What about our Centauri Translators?"

"Lt Mollari and his team are aboard the first transport they will ring aboard with the jaffa parties. Once the area is secured the medical staff will transport aboard. From what we know, the Minbari way take offence at the Jaffa as well as our own people."

"Armament?"

"All teams are fully equipped with Zat Guns, a few have staff weapons or pistols, we hope to knock them down with the Zats but, we're not sure what effect they will have if any hence the other weapons."

"Keep me updated Colonel. I'll be in the mess hall."

"Aye, Sir."

The General left the bridge and headed towards the interior of the ship. Inside the hall a few off duty officers and crewmen were eating while to one side the food was laid out by the kitchen staff. One table to filled with two plates with one much smaller than the other, unsurprisingly Jack knew exactly who it was.

"Carter, T."

"Sir."

"O'Neill'

"How's things going up there, Sir?" Carter queried.

"The Jaffa are ringing aboard as we speak," he answered. "With luck we shouldn't have too many problems, considering what we saw on the Centauri's ship."

"Should we not be assisting them O'Neill?"

"Not yet, Teal'c we know they hate humans although they may be friendly enough to Jaffa as your another alien race. It might be bad enough with the medical teams we've sent over, Daniel's gone over, too. One of these days he's gonna get killed- permanently."

"I don't think he's in that much trouble Sir. He is covered by a legion of Jaffa and marines."

"Marines, right; like they know what end of a gun to hold."

"Your not still sore at them, Sir?"

"Not much."

"Sir, you are responsible for what happened as much as them."

"I know that…"

"Sir, it was only a Simpsons episode."

"Only a Simpsons Episode? Do you know what a classic the Stonecutters episode is?"

"Sir, it was an accident, let it go.

"Alright, Alright, Teal'c what are your thoughts on these Minbari from what we've been told by the Centauri?"

"They seem to be capable warriors but like my own people. However they seem to be ruled by an honour system unlike that of any I have encountered. Their current attempt at destruction of an entire race because of the death of a single being is illogical at best and murderous at worst."

"Carter?"

"I agree with Teal'c Sir, These Minbari are trying to kill every human they find. If they find the Achilles and find out about our Earth and the humans of this galaxy we could be facing another war."

"For crying out loud, we've just busted the Replicators and the Snakes and now we got some psycho-quasi-religious fruitcakes that may try to start a war of extinction of all humans. Well lets just hope if they do find the rift they don't find a way through without crippling their own ships."

"Well without shields on a par with any of our ships, they can't, Sir."

"Good. We need to know if our ships can go through the rift while shielded. I want the two of you to grab a shielded Al'kesh from the Jaffa and see if you can get it through the Rift intact."

"The Al'kesh shields are more powerful than the energy fields around the Minbari ship, it should hold."

"Check it anyway and see if we need to make modifications to the shields."

"Aye Sir."

"General O'Neill to the Bridge."

"I just came from there," O'Neill moaned.

"The perks of being a Senior Officer, Sir?"

"Shut up, Carter."

O'Neill strode out of the cafeteria mumbling about 'no chicken sandwiches and never time for lunch' and always 'damned well work'. His quick march brought him to the bridge within a few seconds.

"Ronson."

"Sorry to call you back General, but we've just received a communication from the SGC. The request has been approved. As soon as we make sure that all our ships are capable of it, the Prometheus and our Jaffa Allies are cleared to go through the rift.