You might think that this is a long chapter. I think that you're right. To everyone reading and making comments-I thank you very much. I enjoy writing this and I hope that you do as well.

Chapter 34-Part C

(The Armageddon conflict-Part 11)

The fifth hour:

United Planets cruiser C-57-D now entering Babylon Five space:

"DC point in twenty seconds, Skipper."

"Captain to crew, attention. We will decelerate into normal space in ten seconds."

"Crew signals ready, Skipper." Silently, Wilson thanked Robby and the Feds for perfecting the inertia fields on the 'D' so that those deceleration pods weren't needed anymore.

"Right. Three seconds, two, one…mark."

The United Planets C57-D's surprise entry into Babylon Five space was rewarded by being fired upon by the same Shadow vessel that had threatened Voyager. The powerful purplish–red beam slashed across the tiny ship's hull. The force of the beam knocked the tiny ship violently off course and sent it tumbling.

Commander Tuvok immediately scanned the ship for survivors as Voyager and every other ship in the vicinity went to red/combat alert. The small vessel righted itself, apparently undamaged and returned fire with its blasters. The Shadow hit, vessel screamed as portions of its armor disintegrated from the tiny ships unknown type of neutron-derived beam weapons. The battlecrab obviously traumatized that something so small could have hurt it, backed off and went into full battle mode.

The UP vessel was protected by an energy field completely different from Federation shields. The beam fired by the battlecrab interacted with the field, was ripped apart, converted into light and its sub-molecular components. Likewise, the return fire from the saucer's blaster pulses ripped into Shadow armor and had torn it apart at the molecular level. Unlike phasers, these pulses weakened and ripped apart magnetic forces holding matter together. The result was devastating as armor continued to peel and break off long after the weapon ceased fire. Hurt, the Shadow vessel commander started their attack run. But before it could fire its beam weapon once more, three identical beams from sister ships slashed into the attacking Shadow crab. The resultant scream of shock and betrayal before it died, just about shut down most of normal minds that heard it.

"We apologize," a soft voice said through communications to a livid Captain John Adams. "The offender has been chastised."

"What was wrong with that fool of a Commander?" he shouted. "We didn't threaten him in any manner!"

"They will trouble you no more."

"And just who are you?" he growled. He wanted answers now. No one fired on his ship with explanations.

"We are dancers of the dark," the alien retorted. "This communication ends."

Very angry, he determined that he would find out what was going on later. Right now, he needed to find out the condition of his ship. "What's our damage?"

"Defense field suffered a fifty percent drop," Lieutenant Wilson answered quickly. "The primary field generators will need to be taken offline for repair, Skipper. Gravity generator took a hit. Looks like everybody's got some kind of injury, mostly minor though. We weren't expecting to be attacked here."

"We're getting another call, Sir. It's from Voyager, the other Federation ship."

"Onscreen."

"This is Captain Chakotay of the Federation Starship Voyager. Can we offer assistance?"

"Yes," Adams answered. He had stared a bit before he caught himself. Now they had a Native American Captain commanding. These people were certainly different! That had been impressed upon him and his crew once before and now they were being reminded again. The more he saw the more he was getting used to it and had decided that, as strange as it was, it wasn't as bad as he first thought. "We've got quite a few injuries, several broken bones and a possible skull fracture. B5 is busy and I would like to dock my ship in your landing bay if possible."

"Your ship is a bit big to fit inside but we will prep for a ship to ship docking. We'll tractor you to our docking ring."

Robby activated the screen and locked onto the black-spidery ships floating in the distance. As Adams looked at them, he felt a shiver go up his spine. What kind of nightmarish-alien mind would design something like that?

"Will you look at the size of those spiders things!" asked a very wary, nervous-looking Wilson.

"Robby, perform a detailed scan of those ships and see if we can adjust our energy screens to make them more effective against their energy weapon. Gunneries, keep a lock until we're docked. Cut artificial gravity. Cut primary coils. Gunners deactivate target locks when we are safely docked."

"Aye, aye, Skipper," the robot and the weapons Officer answered respectfully.

Once clamped onto Voyager's, medical teams were waiting to treat the crew as opposed to transporting them off of the ship. The Skipper didn't like the idea of having his people moved by teleportation. That kind of breech of security of his ship trapped in this universe was unthinkable. These days Adams didn't have a problem with the Feds or B5 but still, it was better to be careful.

Several of his people were treated on the spot while two others were taken to sick bay as a precaution. He and Robby inspected the ship for outside damage and unfortunately found some in the form of an ugly scorch mark located on the hub of the vessel. So focused was he on the ship, he failed to notice the Federation Officers entering the bay.

"Tough little ship," a voice said from behind him.

Turning he saw a Klingon, one that looked remarkably like the Klingon First Officer he'd met some time before. Then he noticed two Datas side by side, one of them looking older by years. Robby had been quite thorough in his reports.

Unlike many others, he knew that Data was an android, because of his associating with Robby. He was somewhat surprised to see the older Data. It was quite interesting really and like many others he assumed that it had to be the Lore.
"You must be Commander Lore?" John asked.

Data betrayed a look of surprise. "You are aware of my brother?"

"Well Data is here and Robby's told me about you so I assumed you were Lore."

"A logical conclusion, but I am Commander Data. I'm from another reality."

"Oh," was all that John managed to say. "Join the Club. Commander, do you know why that thing fired on my ship?" hissed a very ticked-off United Planets Captain.

"Ah," said the Doctor, coming up to minister to the Skipper. "And you must be Robby. It's a pleasure to meet another artificial lifeform."

"A genuine pleasure to meet you," Doctor, the robot said. "A holographic sustainer. Are you an independent entity?"

"As much as I can be," the Doctor replied. "I'm curious. Does your lack of independence disturb you?"

"No, Doctor. I am content with my status."

"His operational protocols are different, Doctor," Lieutenant Commander Data said. "And notice that Robby's command of language is superior to ours, brother."

"I am aware of that. It is fascinating. I wonder if our positronic brains have a self limiting factor that Robby's and the Doctor's for a that fact does not. It is something worth studying in more detail. Perhaps that understanding will allow me to correct the system-wide cascading failure that Lal experienced."

"Who is Lal?" the younger Data asked.

"Lal was an android I created in my attempt to procreate. She was my daughter," Commander Data responded. "I replicated many of my neuropathways and gave them to her as a template, but she did not survive."

"You had a daughter?" the other Data asked. "He looked at the older Data imitating a very good approximation of surprise.

Robby said nothing but its interest had been peeked. Procreation was something that it had not considered. There were built-in limitations to its own creativity set there by Dr. Morbius. It had rules but it was truly interested in others of its kind adding to the number of artificial life. And that was exactly what it was, as much as the other three standing before it.

"Yes. The android I created chose a feminine persona but as she progressed, she was unable to adjust to the emotions that flooded her neuropathways. They collapsed and she was deactivated two weeks after she began her existence."

"Astonishing," the younger Data said. "What possessed you to create an android in your image?"

The Doctor jumped in before the two androids could continue their conversation. "This conversation, as fascinating as it is, can wait for a more convenient time. Between the four of us, I am sure we can come up with something that can eliminate or correct the cascade failure. But right now I must treat Captain Adams before his wife comes onboard and complains that my quick and efficient ministrations are lacking."

This Doctor was really sarcastic, he thought. He wondered what the original was like. "Alta knows I'm back?"

"Mrs. Altara Adams was on B5 when she told me that she nearly fainted when you were attacked," the Doctor said. "I've noticed she exhibits empathic abilities and when it comes to you, she is quite-connected. Doctor Troi has noticed it as well but again it works somewhat differently than hers."

John nodded as the Doctor started his ministrations. Again he felt the loss of his best friend. 'Doc' Ostrow would have loved this conversation with these artificials. "She knew when we were attacked by the Id monster. She's known several things that have occurred when she couldn't possibly have. I had forgotten about her almost psychic connection to the wild animals on Altair. Her father's brain had been artificially enhanced before she was born. He could have passed on some of those traits. She's certainly smarter than I am."

"It is possible. She will be here soon. Then you two can talk about your future."

John's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"She's over a month now."

"A month of what-oh?" Shock. Joy. Fear. Curiosity. He didn't know what to feel.

"Congratulations, Captain."

Why now? Well, he knew why. He was in a state of semi-shock. But, why now?

"Commander, I want to find out why the fired on my ship!"

"Yes Sir," responded both Datas.

-

The Sixth hour

The Azetbur:

"They are ready, my Lord."

"Transport now."

"My Lord."

Two beams of energy quickly converted into matter, revealing three nervous but excited Klingons. They stood gaping at the huge room that looked more like a restaurant than anything else. Such pleasantries were unheard of on a Klingon warship.

"Kuvesa tokhesa," Captain Koral said the instant the transport was completed. "I serve willingly," he repeated.

Captain Kagth resisted the urge to break into laughter by some of the most sincere groveling he'd even seen. Klingons who were lost but now found. Captain Koral, first Officer Worf, Son of Morg, you are on the Azetbur, flagship of the Kmerex Klingon. You have survived, done well. Why have you made alliances with the Narn?"

The young Officer gulped, and then straightened. "We were alone among the other universal Humans. None of our kind exists in this universe. I did what was best for my crew."

Kagth glared at him and then broke into laughter. "Well done, young Captain. You could have destroyed yourselves in glorious battle, but you show wisdom. But how did you come by this ship?"

"Many of the crew died during the transition to this place. I was the highest ranking Officer left alive."

'What transition was he talking about'? "This ship has weapons damage carrying a Federation signature. Why?"

"Battle damage from the Federation warships a week before we arrived here?" he suggested.

"You attacked a Federation Starship?" Kagth was incensed, but curious.

"Yes," Koral's immediately responded. "We are at war. Standing orders 'were' to attack and destroy all Starfleet ships."

The older Captain stood back for a second. Again he was stuck by how wrong this was. According to his records, this ship shouldn't even exist. They must have come from a different timeline which seemed especially plausible as he stared at a younger Worf. This was an unexpected development. That also explained the Enterprise-D and the Ambassador. He wondered if Janeway knew about this. In either case this was glorious. He would find out how these other Klingons lived. "The war with the Federation?" he suggested, prompting Koral to answer.

"Yes. Twenty-two standard years. We were winning. K'mpec was poisoned eighteen years ago, and the Duras family ruled the Empire."

At that, Kagth spit. "G'daya Duras," he cursed. "Their family is no more and good riddance I say!"

"My Lord Captain," Worf said quietly. "May I speak?" Kagth assented. "We were told that there was no war between the Klingon Empire and the Federation, and that we were 'created' from a fracture, a mistake in time. I want to know, was there a war with the Federation?"

"We had a slight disagreement with them before the war with the Dominion," he conceded. "But that was a long time ago and not worth mentioning. They are our allies now. There was never a real war with the Federation. We did come close a few times but when the Ambassador saved the colonists near the Narendra III outpost things changed. Honor was served. I don't know if you are fractures or not. But you are Klingons and you have found a way. We will repair and update your ship for the coming war. Your crew will come and relax among fellow Klingons. The Azetbur will be your home for a time. You will eat fresh skull stew and gagh. We will talk."

Just then, one of the Colonial crewmembers entered the Officer's lounge, gave a quick bow to the shocked stares of Koral and Worf. The Officer nodded and the Captain acknowledged him before waving him off.

"Kagth laughed. "There is much to talk about. But before that, we have another guest."

Captain Koral and first Officer Worf trembled as Commander Worf of the Starship Voyager materialized into their company.

"What is this?" demanded the younger Worf. Next to him, Koral was so rattled that he was about to pull out his mek'leth.

Worf walked up to his younger counterpart. I am Worf, Son of Morg. I am your counterpart."

"You wear a Federation uniform!" he sneered. The younger Worf stuttered slightly. "You're older."

"And wiser," Worf said. "Captain, Kagth, Captain Koral, Officer Worf, we should talk."

"Madness!"

"No," Worf growled, "causalities of a temporal war. Your home is here now."

"He is right. But first we eat and tell stories of our adventures and the heritage you have lost," the Captain ordered. "Then we will listen to the Humans argue with those others about the correct course of action."

"But that is all the Humans do here, talk."

"There is reason to their madness, Captain Koral. The great enemy is here and there will be battle enough for everyone. The Sinhindrea will drown this galaxy in blood if they are not stopped." Captain Kagth moved closer to Koral, eyes blazing. You will listen and you will participate and maybe you will survive."

Commander Worf and his counterpart walked into one of the holographic rooms onboard the Klingon battleship. He appreciated the vessel that his people had created. It was fit for a warrior but it served other purposes as well. Maybe this was the future of his people. His people were discovering the true path of honor. War without purpose was a waste. This ship spoke of promise and honor. It was worthy. Behind him his younger wild-haired countered followed, his every step weary as if he would be attacked at any moment. Worf recognized his actions as fear.

"Battle simulation," Worf ordered. "Mon'thor terrain."

Immediately the imager complied and the room turned into bright forest like terrain. Overhead a large lizard like creature casually glided from tree to tree momentarily capturing the younger Worf's attention.

The Starfleet commander picked one of the bat'leths and tossed to his counterpart who caught it easily. Worf chose another one and moved into a defensive stance. Then he eased into a basic kata exercise. Closing his eyes he said to First Officer Worf, "Follow me, if you can."

He heard a growl and the younger Klingon began to follow his movements. Amidst the sounds of wild things screaming in the distance the two of them fell into a pattern, their movements identical in almost every way. The Commander knew that it would be so while the younger Worf failed to hide his surprise.

"We are one, Worf," Worf said. "I was married twice. The first was to the Klingon-human woman K'Ehleyr and we had a son, Alexander. She was killed by Duras."

"Duras of the House Duras," the younger growled. "They began the war that lasted for twenty-two years. Their house grew fat on the blood of our people."

"Duras is dead," the Commander said. "I killed him myself in combat. His sisters, Lursa and B'Etor are also dead, destroyed by the Enterprise-D."

Worf smiled the first real one since coming to this strange ship. "Does your son live?" he was curious. What did his son look like?

"He lives."

He took a breath and slowly let it out. The weight of the world slammed on top of him. "I have nothing," the First Officer said.

"You are mistaken. You have your life ahead of you. Do not allow your loneliness destroy what you are."

"I am not you, Starfleet."

"No, you are Klingon. And you have Guinan. You have Captain Sisko and you have Captain Picard. You have more than you know."

"Picard is my enemy. But, you respect him."

Worf sighed. "You both have much to learn."

"You are enjoying this."

"Yes," Commander Worf said. "It is not often that you get a chance to talk to yourself. I have made mistakes that, if you are wise, you can avoid."

First Officer Worf straightened himself and stood tall. Life was becoming interesting once more. "Begin the Kata once more. I will listen to what you have to say."

"I will listen also," Worf said. Then he dropped the bombshell. "After K'Ehleyr, there was Deanna Troi."

The younger Worf managed not to stumble.

"Multiple jumpoints opening," Corwin announced. "They're Vorlons, at least sixty vessels of all configurations."

Susan stifled the curse threatening to burst forth. She knew they were coming but that didn't stop her from reacting in surprise and dread. The presence of the Shadows and Vorlons together could precipitate a battle that none of them could afford right now. The only good thing that she could see right now was that they weren't charging weapons.

Corwin was speaking again. "The Vorlons are sending over a shuttle. It'll be here in six minutes."

"Very polite of them to ask first," she muttered with unusual venom. "Okay, let's do it by the numbers. Place the Vorlon ship in the same bay as Ambassador Kosh's and for God's sake do not let it get anywhere near the Shadow ship."

"Absolutely, Ma'am."

The shuttle, looking almost exactly like Ambassador Kosh's ship but larger, landed without incident. The three occupants were met by the Vorlon Ambassador, Captain Sheridan and Ambassador Guinan. To say the Vorlons were pleased by recent event would have been insane. They three of them were radiating auras of what could only be described as extreme hostility. And most of it was directed at Guinan.

The lead Vorlon, dress in a dark green, almost black encounter suit, was the most focused and the angriest of the three.

"You should not be here," the Vorlon Leader said. The malevolence in his voice almost shook the room. "Leave, now and take yours with you. The circle is destroyed. It is your fault."

"Your people made a mistake," she answered the Vorlon. "You played God and you've discovered that you can't control the universe. Your pride led us all to this point. But you can take responsibility for your actions."

To John's eyes, the leader seemed to get bigger. He couldn't say anything. This was way out of his league.

"Go. Now."

"No. I won't," Guinan answered him. "We're here to stay."

That enraged the leader even more. "We will make you leave. We will des…"

The Leader stiffened suddenly. Guinan's hands were in a quasi-defensive posture and the other two Vorlons had stepped back, suddenly weary of the creature before them. Their leader was gripped in some sort of titanic mental struggle. His suit was glowing as he tried to press his assault against what he first assumed was a pathetic Human. To his chagrin he discovered that she was far, far more than a mere Human. That she had so completely shielded herself from his natural probes had surprised him even more. Worried now, he was prepared to ask for assistance when the assault simply went away. Once more, the woman called Guinan appeared for all intents and purposes to be a normal Human being and with a start, he understood that normal Humanity was 'her' encounter suit.

"You will listen and deal with the situation that you've caused," Guinan told the Leader.

His iris narrowed into a slit, but he didn't disagree. "We will talk," he finally said.

"About time," Guinan answered. She wasn't backing down a centimeter.

All of the Koshs headed towards the conference room with a much relieved Sheridan leading the way. They weren't even having the meeting yet and things were explosive. He couldn't imagine what would happen if something were to go wrong.

Representatives from two dozen races sat quietly as they waited for the conference to begin. The Shadow and Vorlons sat opposite from one another, watching each other carefully, while studiously ignoring everyone else. It was a shock to both species when Lorien casually entered the room. The Vorlon visitors looked as if they wanted to run away, while the Shadows did everything but grovel at his feet. Who this Lorien was, John had no idea, but he did command respect from some of the most powerful aliens in existence and as such he couldn't help but be impressed.

The Federation, Klingon contingents, Captain Adams and his wife, Altara were together in one section of the conference conferring among themselves.

Minbari, Narn, Gaim, Vree, Drazi, Brakiri and Human representatives of Earth Alliance were huddled together, something that Sheridan found amusing. It was as if different groups gravitated towards that which they found most comfortable.

'Birds of a feather' syndrome was at work here. As per usual, everybody looked to him to begin. This was one of the few times that he felt the intensity of the scrutiny playing with his mind. Well, it was time he played back.

After the standard introductions and courtesies, he began. "For the past year, there has been fighting and wars breaking out all over the sectors. The Narn have fought the Centauri. The Vorlons fought against the Shadows. Earth was embroiled in a civil war and a conflict with the Centauri. Earth Alliance went after resistance leaders and the Federation starships. The Feds fought the Drakh, Centauri, and Earth Alliance. The Minbari were attacked by the Drakh and went to war against the Centauri allies. The Shadows were on the move while the Vorlons seemingly did nothing. The list goes on and on. At first it didn't make any real sense. Oh, there were a few legitimate reasons for war. There always was. But then, a pattern began to evolve and we discovered that the Shadows were behind many of the attacks. Finally we thought that we had some sort of grasp of the situation. But then the latest surprise happened.

"Our universe was introduced to an ancient species, the Sinhindrea. I say introduced because these aliens are not from our universe. They arrived here by way of a gateway, an interdimensional stargate, if you will, created by the Vorlons untold generations ago and unknowingly let loose by the Shadows. The Sinhindrea have attacked or threatened every single race that they've come into contact with and Shadows aside, they are the greatest threat we have ever faced. There have been races we have never seen before fleeing from them and for some reason heading here, looking to us for safety. We don't know how many non-starfaring races have been lost, however we have to assume that it has been quite a few. These refugees are heading here and we're too busy shooting at one another to notice the galaxy burning down around us. This conference here is to decide what if anything we are going to do about it."

Both the Shadows and Vorlons appeared miffed as each one shifted uneasily every time their names were mentioned. Morden had requested that one of his associates be allowed to address the conference. John reluctantly agreed. Now the Shadow, looking so much like some horrific nightmare of a spider moved ever so gracefully towards the podium. It didn't have to move but it chose to and it was making a point. The jet-black glistening creature was partially phased as it slowly skittered up the stairs. And it was big, easily twice the size of a Human, with legs long enough to strike at three times its length. It represented everyone's idea of a nightmare and it relished in the fear it brought to the conference. Only the Federation and United Planets representatives seemed not to fully feel its mind-numbing effect. That was because they were 'untreated' by either Vorlon or Shadow psychic or genetic manipulations. To the Shadows, their minds tasted alien and the cautious creature wanted them gone post haste.

By nature the Shadows did things in the background, allowing others to perform their deeds when the time came. So, this was a surprise to see the creature becoming the lime-light of this meeting.

Many of those in the room held their breaths until the creature spoke. Many wanted to flee from this abomination glaring at them with its multiple compound eyes. Many of them suspected that they'd go mad when the heard its voice. When the Leader of the Shadow horde spoke, many were shocked to hear such beauty coming from such a hideous creature. However the word betrayed the beauty of the melodious voice.

"The Vorlons have asked you 'Who are you?'" the alien began. "But they have not cared for the answers that you have given them. They have not come to protect you from the threats as we have. They have created dangerous artifacts that have allowed death to enter this galaxy. When you have asked of us, we have responded and given what you desire. What we desire, what we have always desired is that you be strong, to be those who stand in the times of darkness and strife which is the nature of the universe. You have asked of us and we have given freely to all of those who have been brave enough to resist the manipulation of the Vorlons. The Vorlons have tried to stop us from helping those who have asked of us and it brought war between us and we were victorious. But in our victory came the seeds of our defeat. We opened a spoil of war and the Sinhindrea entered our galaxy. The Vorlons could have warned the races of the danger of that artifact but their pride stopped them from doing what was morally right." The Shadow's gaze matched the intensity of the animosity oozing out of the Vorlon delegation. "They said nothing. Their silence destroyed our world," the alien moaned. "We opened the door and they came. We fought them for six weeks while they gained footholds within our system. Six thousand of our ships 'died' in the war. Another thousand were injured and still they came through the doorway. Our world was bombed until finally, we were forced to flee. Our world was now theirs and we were forced to abandon it.

"My people had a plan to stop the aliens, but it is ruined." The creature paused for a moment to let that sink in. "The Drakh are servants of the Shadows. We ordered them to attack Earth because we wanted to."

The entire assembly erupted. Throughout the screaming and condemnations and calls for war, the Shadow stood there unperturbed. The most vocal were the Humans of Earth Alliance. Demands for retribution were called for.

"Let him speak."

The voice commanded and dead silence reigned. The High Vorlon repeated himself. "Let him speak."

The Shadow's eyes glowed in appreciation. "The great enemy stirs for the hunt. We knew this and chose Earth as a way to destroy them. The plague on the planet will kill only a few. But it will weaken the Human population, making them easy prey. The Sinhindrea still hunt for us, and anything we have come into contact with. The will come to Earth and devour the Humans. Their fleet is weakened and will not pose a threat. Do you understand? The plague is designed for the Sinhindrea. It will spread within them and they will die and the threat will end."

Sheridan was infuriated. "You sons of…You want my world, my people to be your sacrificial lambs!"

"Of course, Captain Sheridan," the Shadow answered sweetly. If you want to save the galaxy, something must be sacrificed. If they are not, then someone world will die. Then the next will die, and the next and the next and the next and the next, until there is no one left. Do you want to save the Narn, the Minbari, the Centauri, the Abbai, the Gaim, the Vree, the Brakiri, the Drazi, the Llort Mi-Ma-Ti, the Pak'ma'ra, all of the younger races, the Vorlons, a hundred others- and even us?" it purred. It took the hush as a confirmation. "Then sacrifice the Humans!" it continued. "Is one minor, insignificant race worth the price for so many?"

The silence was deafening. But there was a voice and its power reverberated throughout the conference room.

A lone Vorlon voice answered the question. "No. That others will be saved makes their sacrifice worthwhile. The Vorlons agree."

TBC