Advent of the Destroyers: Chapter 4: Orders.
On board of the Archangel Cagalli sat in front of the monitor in her room, analyzing the message of Ambassador Mollari. The message in specific was Short.
Ambassador Cagalli Yula Attha.
It is a pleasure to learn that you are fine, especially in these days, for one never knows what may yet happen to anyone. Again I hope that you will reconsider my offer, for it still stands.
Till next time.
Ambassador Londo Mollari. House Mollari. Centauri Republic.
The problem the young blond faced was not really the letter. Her response to it had been maintained, however rumors where starting to circulate of a confrontation between her and Ambassador Mollari. All of which where truth, except the parts of her threatening Ambassador Londo Mollari.
Unfortunately for her a second visit to the Ambassador had shown her what kind of a man he really was. In secret Londo Mollari had shown Cagalli Yula Attha a video of their "meeting" and explained to her how easily rumors spread around a place like Babylon 5. That was definitely not something they needed now.
Cagalli tried to relax in her chair, but failed, until a certain blue haired, and emerald eyed man entered the room, and simply wrapped his arms around the blond. "Is that meeting still bothering you?"
Cagalli allowed herself to relax in the arms of her husband, and nodded.
Athrun frowned; Cagalli had been very stressed because of the meeting, and with good reason. The problem was the tape; it could be manipulated in many ways, none of them good.
"We will find a way to beat him, don't worry" said Athrun in a low and calmed voice.
"I know, but until then we will have to keep on our feet with the Centauri Ambassador" said Cagalli, as she tried, but failed to relax in the comfort of her husbands embrace. "I have a feeling that he is watching us, and this will only be the beginning of his plan" finished Cagalli letting out a sigh, and looking out of the view window to the enormous space station hanging majestically in space.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Meanwhile Admiral Yzak Joule sat in his office analyzing the different reports on several of the vessels of his small fleet, until he was interrupted by the door buzzer. "Come" was the Admirals only response and immediately the door opened, and in came the Captains of his two vessel Captain Talia Gladys, and Captain Murrue Ramius. Both of them stood in front of the Admiral and saluted, expecting the orders from their superior officer.
"Please be seated" said once again Yzak Joule, as he ordered some of the reports.
A thank you was heard from the two captains, as they seated on the two chairs in front of the Admirals desk, and awaited the Admiral to be ready. Soon however Yzak Joule looked at the two captains, and spoke in a clear but authoritative voice "I believe that you have all heard the news?" asked Admiral Joule.
"Yes, Admiral, it is so obvious that it is a lie that I don't know why they even put that garbage in the air" said Murrue Ramius with a tone of disgust in her voice.
"I agree with captain Ramius, the government on Earth must be crazy to air that crap" said Talia Gladys in her regular military tone.
"Then I believe you know what will happen to us?" asked once again Yzak Joule.
"Their options are extremely obvious" commenced Talia Gladys in an annoyed tone. "A blockade"
"We figured as much" said Yzak Joule, as he looked at a specific report. "Our friends at Babylon 5 have told us of this blockade, and have asked us to intervene since they know that any retaliation on their part will not be beneficial to their position" finished Yzak Joule, and looked at the two captains.
"But wouldn't that make us criminals?" asked Murrue Ramius in a concerned voice.
"True, however we can help them with the blockade in several ways" said Yzak Joule turning to another report, and handing a copy to the two captains, who studied its contents, in silence. "We will not give a direct military assistance, however we will help them to move goods, and cargo. For a price" commented Yzak Joule, expecting the reaction of his two superior officers.
"I see, but wouldn't it tell them too much of our technical capabilities?" asked Murrue Ramius, still overlooking the report.
"Yes admiral, not only would we be showing them our technical capabilities, but we would also be making ourselves nothing more than merchants" said Talia Gladys, in a worried tone.
Yzak Joule Simply looked at his two officers, and smiled. "You are both right, however at the moment we need to start making ourselves known" said Yzak Joule in a jovial tone. "As you know we are the new kids on the block, and right now our ignorance is costing us, we need to gather information, and also show the other races that we are no pushovers, and that we can fend for ourselves" said Yzak Joule with a glint in his eyes.
Both the captains now saw what the Admiral was trying to say, but they where still worried. "Your arguments are right Admiral, but if we show ourselves in such a manner it will be extremely hard to hide our technology, or our technical skill, not to mention that even now the other governments are trying to gain access to our databases" commented Talia Gladys intent on giving the Admiral all the facts.
"I know, but as I said we need information, and the best way to get it is by getting to know the people. Plus, I have been speaking with Chief Simmons, and her team, and though their information is limited she has informed me that our hyperspace generators are far superior to theirs, and that would make any kind of cargo transport handled by us far more lucrative, giving us the necessary monetary backup to get on our feet in this place" said Yzak Joule trying to appease the minds of his commanding officers.
"We understand Admiral, but at the same time, it is important that you remember, that most of our crew is still military personnel, and most of them will not take this idea very well" said Talia Gladys.
Yzak Joule sat looking at both of the Captains in a calmed and serious way and spoke. "Captain Ramius, I presume that the same cannot be said from your crew right?" asked Yzak Joule looking at Murrue Ramius.
"You're right admiral" answered Murrue Ramius in a casual tone.
"So, only the Archangel will become our merchant branch. At least till we can field a vessel more fitted for such a purpose. Any questions?" Said Admiral Joule looking at his two commanding officers.
Both of the captains answered "No admiral".
"Very well Captain Ramius, you may leave, and start with the negotiations, I have something more to discuss with Captain Gladys" said Yzak Joule, and saw how Murrue Ramius saluted and quickly left the room.
"Very well Admiral, what did you wish to discuss?" asked Talia Gladys in her usual Military tone.
Yzak Joule immediately turned to look somewhere else, a look full of anger showed in his face. Immediately Talia Gladys knew that whatever the Admiral was about to say it was extremely important, and obviously annoying. "You know of course what is the situation of our protectors" said Yzak Joule.
"Yes Admiral"
"Then you must know, that they are currently severely undermanned" continued Yzak Joule still in his angry tone.
"I know admiral" said Talia Gladys in her all business no non-sense military tone and continued. "Am I right in assuming that they have asked us for help?" finished Talia Gladys looking very intently at the Admiral.
Yzak Joule only sneered, in clear annoyance.
"I see now, and what is our official posture in this case?" asked Talia Gladys sighing, with a headache forming in her temple.
"We will help them of course, but I have made it very clear to our Ambassadors that our manpower and resources are extremely limited" said Yzak Joule trying to relax.
"So, what exactly have they asked us?" asked Talia Gladys trying to gather all the facts to make a good picture.
If it where possible Yzak Joule looked now even more annoyed, and angry, and simply activated the video screen behind him, turning his back on Talia Gladys, who immediately started to analyze the data in the screen. "Babylon 5 has informed us that with their retreat from Earth, their supply lines are growing thinner" said Yzak Joule, as the screen showed the several routes, and how some of them disappeared. "However their biggest concern is the safety of those they currently posses and so they have asked us to help them with their pirate problem" finished Yzak Joule, as the screen started to show focus points of pirate attacks, and some of the recorded attacks.
"I see. Anything else Admiral?" asked Talia Gladys understanding the situation.
"Not at this moment, however I will advise caution. We know very little of the races in this universe, but form what little we have learned is that some of them will take every opportunity to get an advantage over others" said Yzak Joule, and turned to look at Talia Gladys with a very serious face. "Right now it appears that we have been targeted because of our technology, and I wouldn't rule out the possibility of an attack by a military force"
"Then I suppose that we have better be prepared" commented Talia Gladys with her hand in her chin, and thinking hard.
"That is true captain, for that reason you will leave with all of your METEORs, that way you will have I hope the power to face the odds, and expand your area of coverage" finished Yzak Joule.
"Very well Admiral, with your permition I must make preparations" said Talia Gladys getting up from her seat and saluting.
"Very well Captain, the METEORs will be ready in an hour, so be ready to leave at that time, I will transfer all of our data to your computer immediately" said Yzak Joule saluting the Captain, who simply turned and left.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
At Babylon 5 a shrewd middle aged man, clad in black, with black gloves, and with a fork like insignia entered the station, under the watchful gaze of the security personnel. "Well, Mr. Bester, I would say that it was a good day, but now you showed up, and you can feel what just happened to it" said Zack Allan, as he inspected the passport of Alfred Bester.
"As always Mr. Allan you fail to surprise me" said Alfred Bester with a grin. "I am of course still dumbfounded by the harsh and unnecessary words of mundanes. But alas nothing can be done I suppose" finished Alfred Bester as he received his passport from Zach Allan under his scornful look. "Oh, don't feel so offended Mr. Allan I am just stating what is true"
Zack Allan would have exploded at any minute. However he refrained himself from hitting the short man only due to his training "as always it is a pleasure Mr. Bester" finished Zack Allan with an incredibly false smile on his face, to which Alfred Bester simply grinned and entered Babylon 5.
TBC