Chapter 34 Part D
Eye Openers
The Fifth hour (continued) Babylon Five:
G'Kar was stunned. No one was prepared to say anything on the behalf of the Humans, except the Humans themselves, of course. The other Vorlons were silent and he got the distinct impression that at least most of them, other than the Ambassador, approved this plan of controlled genocide. He was feeling sick. The very concept was intolerable.
Unable to stand it any longer, he stood and was recognized. He opened his mouth and it was as if a mountain had decided it was time to weigh in. "Respected members of the council and various representatives, the Shadows have just condemned Earth and no one here has the nerve to come to their defense?" he asked. His glare caused many of the other species to turn away, frightened to defy the Shadows and possibly incur their wrath. Some secretly agreed with the decision if it would save their worlds from destruction. Most were simply unsure how to proceed. But the overriding reason was shame. Fear gripped them and self-preservation for themselves and their worlds, dominated over all other concerns.
"I was told once that the sacrifice of one may be necessary for the rest to survive," continued the Narn representative. "At the time, those words made a great deal of sense to me and in many ways that changed my perspective of how life works. I believed what was told to me because it sounded right. I must admit that I found that revelation to be very enlightening and it allowed me to see things clearly for the first time, or so I believed. I then found myself being enlightened further by this Human Ambassador we know as Guinan. In the course of our conversations, she uttered a simple truth and it is something I have never forgotten. That truth touched me in a way that Vorlon logic never could. She said that a sacrifice should be freely given, not applied by some other race or entity simply because it is convenient for their purposes. He looked at the EarthForces, B-Five and Federation representatives listening intently to his speech. I don't see the Humans offering themselves as a willing sacrifice here. I see others, a species we have been at war with for a thousand years, a species that consider us less than nothing, telling us to sacrifice another of our kind so that they can survive and continue doing what they've always done.
"These Shadows care NOTHING for us. They have attacked our worlds, kidnapped our people, manipulated our politics, and slaughtered our species for their own unfathomable reasons. They have never helped us, except to further their own, personal agendas, which from my humble perspective seems more convoluted than a coiled DNA strand. If we consent to the Shadow's wishes, how will we and our children and our children's children live with ourselves? And how will we sleep knowing that these Shadows may well call upon our own people to commit the ultimate sacrifice if this plan of theirs doesn't work? Representatives of the younger races, at this very second, we stand here at the crossroads between survival and darkness. How do we want to proceed? What fork in the road will we choose in order to survive? Will we choose to consume our own children so that we may have one more day of life? What is the price we will be forced to pay if we allow this travesty?"
"I can speak for Earth," Sheridan said the instant G'kar sat down. He and the other Humans were sincerely grateful for what G'kar had said. The Narn had just laid the foundations of much improved Human-Narn relations if they the coming war. "We will never lie down and die because some race assumed that it was in their best interest for us to do so. If nothing else, the Minbari understood that. Despite their 'surrender' Earth Alliance lost that war. The Minbari are technologically and physically superior to our species. We didn't have a chance in hell, but we didn't give up, no matter what. We would have surrendered, and we tried to," he added as he looked pointedly at a defiantly subdued Neroon. "But since we couldn't, we would have died fighting the Minbari to the last man and women. It is our nature to do so. No one tells us to lie down and die, except us. Only if we choose to, would we make that kind of sacrifice.
"We will find a cure and we will fight the Sinhindrea when they come," he defiantly announced to the assembly. "You have crippled us," he said to the Shadow representative. "But we will still stand and fight with everything we have left, because we choose to. You make me sick. You sent your servants the Drakh to make war on others and us for your amusement. Then you sent them to cripple Earth's defenses so that you could strike against your enemies and keep your hands clean in the process. With the Drakh presence in our system and the Shadow hybrids, you knew that it would draw the Sinhindrea. You expected them to render Earth defenseless, and then ravage our planet. Well, that didn't work out as well as you planned, did it? Didn't you know that the universe doesn't play fair? It doesn't conform to 'our' rules no matter how advance or enlightened you are. Everyone is on a level playing ground when it comes to the universe. And now you're frightened that your plans are screwed."
"Your survival instincts are laudable," the Shadow leader answered. "But it will make no difference and in the end. They will come and sacrifice your people, but because of your resistance, many more worlds will succumb first and it will be your fault entirely. You, John Sheridan, will be responsible for billions of additional deaths."
Sheridan's tempered flared once more. "Don't place that blame on me," he hissed. "I don't see you trying to plan any organized resistance against them. I do see you trying to take the easy way out, one that will cause you the least amount of trouble. I didn't see you coming to Earth and fighting the Sinhindrea, which could have made it an even more inviting target. I don't see you offering your resources to help."
"Our resources would not have been needed if 'they' hadn't interfered," the creature said. The Federation and Klingon delegation stiffened. "Their interference has ruined everything."
"Their interference has ruined indeed everything," the Vorlon High Leader rumbled. "They were never supposed to be here. The circle is ruined; the test is undone. Their presence forces disorder. The mountain range collapses because the pebbles dared to present themselves as stumbling blocks."
/\
Londo found himself standing demanding recognition. He hadn't realized he'd done it until words had forced themselves past his mouth. "The Shadows have helped to ruin our world and you high and mighty Vorlons did nothing but stand back and watch and offer comments no one in their right minds can understand. The Centauri are in danger too. These creatures have come to visit our world and they left millions dead and dying. My world has been touched by Shadow and it could have easily been Centauri Prime that you could have picked to make this 'ultimate' sacrifice. I will not stand here and allow you 'things' to pick and choose who will live and die."
"We are disappointed in our choice by picking you to be our liaison, Ambassador Mollari. We had high hopes for you, but you have failed us and we will redress our decision, as we will with this 'Federation and Klingon Empire'.'"
Mollari gulped. He knew the pronouncement of a death sentence when he heard one. That was a death sentence if ever he heard one. But surprising, he continued. "Do what you will, but your vindictiveness will not allow you to win victory again these creatures any more than they did the last time. Centauri Prime will support the Humans and any other species you have chosen to run your little experiments on. We may be decadent and slow to recognize our weaknesses, but we learn from our mistakes."
"Then indeed, your education will come at a high price," the Shadow coldly retorted.
/\
Admiral Janeway stood up and was recognized. That the shadows had directly threatened both the Empire and the Federation hadn't escaped her. But they'd have to find them first, and then get past the Borg and or Cylon Alliance, and maybe the Dominion. But she didn't like to be threatened and she intended to back these people off. "Threats are not going to solve anything, but divide us at this point. It is prudent of us to deal with the problem at hand. However before we can do this, there are certain misconceptions that need to be clarified. First, despite the recent presence of alpha quadrant starships in this –area, the cold war mentality of all of the races here has been going on for hundreds of years. Every single one of you has isolated yourselves from one another. Even the league members don't work together closely enough to create a real alliance. Earth Alliance is isolated. The Narn have only themselves for support. The Centauri have isolated themselves and are distrusted by everyone. The Minbari are aloft and although one of the most influential and powerful races around, have chosen to remain for the most part isolated. The Vorlons-well, no one knows much about them-or so they think. The same goes for the Shadows. We're looking at things through mud and now is the time to clarify certain misconceptions."
"The Federation sent Voyager to assess the threat the Sinhindrea represent and frankly they're going to be a problem to deal with." She almost smiled as both the Vorlons and Shadows perked up. She knew what they were thinking-that the Federation might be closer than they thought. Good. A little misdirection was good for the soul. "The authority that sent my ship here knew of the situation here and had little hope that anything would be resolved. I was told not to trust anybody and my source was unfortunately proven correct. But before I continue, I have a question for the Vorlon Leader. Will your people help in this war?"
The Leader paused as all eyes shifted toward him. He didn't want to answer this impertinent Human but his presence here required him to. "The Vorlon people have left. Our resources are insufficient."
"Is that a 'no'?" she asked, as all eyes turned towards the uncomfortable Vorlon.
"Yes."
Admiral Janeway frowned at the curt and somewhat evasive answer. Well, two could play it that way. "I find that interesting that you would run away, in spite of the fact that it was your device that allowed the Sinhindrea access to this space in the first place. I find it interesting that you could have destroyed the gate once you discovered the danger but instead merely tried to close it, allowing your own people to spirit it away to be found by someone else making it their problem. You could have told the Shadows of the danger but you didn't, instead you allowed them to open the portal and introduce the Sinhindrea to this universe. Did you allow this out of petty revenge or did you feel that it wasn't your problem anymore?"
The Vorlon's iris narrowed and he took an involuntary step towards the arrogant Human who obviously knew a lot more than she should have. Energy radiated from him as he prepared to teach this impertinent creature a lesson she would never forget.
"No," a whisper from the side ordered him. He turned and Lorien's gaze was upon him. He withered under the scrutiny. "Touch her and all of your people will suffer. She is protected by power you can't begin to comprehend."
Another pair of eyes locked on him as well. Guinan was another threat he couldn't ignore, but he intended to deal with her later. "We guide. We do not interfere," the Vorlon told the audience while trying to pierce Janeway's soul with his mind. But something blocked him and it disconcerted him. He felt power.
The Admiral wasn't letting up, keeping the pressure on the hostile Vorlon. "You will not interfere because you're afraid that you will lose, so you won't even try," Janeway said. "Your influence is not as strong as you hoped it would be, so you're going to cut your losses and run."
"Silence!"
"I am not one of your genetically manipulated pawns," Janeway countered. "Your threats don't impress me."
"What do you mean pawns?" asked G'kar. "Genetic manipulation of our races, by whom?"
Janeway smiled viciously as she glanced at an increasingly hostile Vorlon. "It's one of several dirty little secrets you're about to be made aware of." She gestured magnificently. "All of your races have been genetically altered in one form or another by the Vorlons or Shadows." She stopped and waited for her words o sink in. It took all of a second.
The entire proceedings erupted.
/\
Delenn and Neroon sat speechless as the screaming slowly died down. The Vorlons including Ambassador Kosh seemed to have shrunk slightly as one of their treasured secrets had just been exposed to the universe in general. Delenn glanced at the Vorlon leader who was now beginning to become belligerent. Next to her Neroon's face was blank but she could feel the anger and confusion rolling around within him.
And she could understand why.
For more than a thousand years there had been a connection between the Minbari and the Vorlons. Some of their technology had been given to them by the Vorlons and in some ways the felt like junior partners of the mighty and mysterious Empire. But now, that truth had been revealed. It explained so many things. The Vorlons had paid special attention to the Minbari not because they were junior partners, but because they were merely servants-pawns and counterparts to the Shadow/Drakh relations of master and slave.
The Minbari were simply game pieces for some unknown disagreement with the Shadows. Delenn had suspected. Neroon had not. If that were true, and both of them thought this likely, then they needed to ask the question 'who were they?' without the influence of the Vorlons. G'kar's question carried serious weight. What 'could' the Minbari have become without Vorlon influence? What had they lost? "Would the Vorlons sacrifice the Minbari?" Neroon quietly asked Delenn.
"I believe we now know the answer," she whispered back. That answer filled her with anger. Everything she was taught may well have been a lie.
"I hate them," he harshly whispered back. "They have lied to us, made us like them, and see them as gods. They spoke and we believed because they were Vorlons. We were fools."
"We were manipulated like every other race in this room except those Humans and the Klingons," she said of the Federationers. "They can see through the dark glass covering our eyes."
"I must talk to Garrett. I need to confirm this for myself." He was silent for a second. "You are aware that she and the other Federation people know of our 'divided' heritage."
"I have suspected," she answered after a few moments. "Garrett has chosen not to say anything. And the Vorlons must know."
"Yes," he hissed.
"What will we do about this? If the Humans chose to reveal this, our society will fall apart."
"Our society is already falling apart," he answered. "What happen when the pieces fall will determine our fate. But Delenn, we have much bigger problems. Besides, I think I choose to trust Garrett with this. For a Human she is remarkably intelligent."
"Yes," she responded. "And I must talk to the other Humans as well."
"Yes. There are questions to be answered. How is it that these Human ships can survive attacks by Shadows and we cannot?" he looked at her with deadly intent. "Our people are going to have to change and soon. I just hope in the process we will not destroy ourselves."
USS Voyager:
Meanwhile on the starship Voyager, Alyt Rannaonn took the time to marvel at the vessel as he was escorted to the medbay. The Vulcan doctor's tender mercies were sufficient for his wounds, but the Human witch who called herself Garrett wanted to make sure of his health so she requested Voyager's services while at the meeting. How he hated that woman! But his promise to adhere to the conditions of the challenge was to be honored no matter what. The Ambassador survived. Blood of Saints was being towed back to Minbar.
Reduced to being a servant to a Human! How degrading! Personally it was his desire to kill them all (every Federationer, Federationist-whatever, and their mother) for this grave insult to his honor; but honor had to be honored, or so his own mother had taught him. It was a play on words, but one that was never fully appreciated until now. Garret was playing with him even forcing his anger sometimes, a dangerous thing to do but she relied on him to keep himself under control-and he did. Gods, he hated that smug female!
While on the ship, playing servant to the she-monster, he had the time to check out the public domain Federation data banks. There was an unbelievable wealth of data at his fingertips and it only took his imagination to acquire information on anything he wanted, not closed to him by security.
These Humans had no imagination. Why would the Federationoids call their home planet Earth like the Earthers did? They could have used Earth Two if they absolutely had to. It was confusing and made little sense to him.
Garrett had recommended an old video for him to watch concerning early use of transporters. It was a fictional movie called 'The Fly'. They called it fiction but he suspected it was a documentary of one of their great mistakes.
What in the name of the fifteen hells of Centauri did she have to make him watch that for!
He was a strong male and few things frightened him. But that movie about an unintentional genetic mixing of a Human and a fly terrified him (only Humans would think of a stupid name like that for an insect. Couldn't they have had a bit more imagination?). How could they continue such experimentation knowing what could go wrong with the least miscalculation? He'd experienced the transporter and didn't like it then. Checking historical transporter incidents within the Federation, he found something else that made his blood run cold. An earlier version of the Enterprise witnessed first hand, a transporter accident. The victim's faces were blurred for purposes of privacy. But the horrible things he saw on that screen…
He would never use it again unless that murderous female ordered him to. And if he did then he would make sure he could blow his brains out at the first sign of trouble. But there was something bothering him that he couldn't ignore about these Federation Humans and the rest. Even after such a horrifying mistake, the Humans continued to refine the transporter technology instead of crushing it from existence. Their stubbornness frightened him more than joining with an insect, or perhaps forming inside a solid wall. Courage, nightmarish courage to be exact, was something these people had in abundance.
But other things occupied his mind as well, when he wasn't following Garrett around like some mindless trained animal, like the strange inter-personal relations between the crewmembers. On Voyager it was even worse. He counted over a half dozen species mixing freely with one another including a, what he could only describe as, a 'First One.'
It was a rock.
A living, fast-moving rock.
It spoke.
In a distinctly feminine voice.
And it had a sense of humor. It had been amused by his first reaction to it; he had wanted to run but there was no place to go. Evidently this was a somewhat common reaction when carbon-based life forms saw one of their species. This rock-it called itself a Horta- had ancestors that lived to be as much as fifty-five to sixty thousand years old, with all but one of the species dying out every sixty thousand years or so, who becomes mother to the new, hatching generation of Horta. And it had allied itself to these Humans! First Ones sharing their lives with Humans. Stunning! He did some reading on the ancient races and discovered that there were First Ones everywhere in and around Federation space. And Federation territorial space was massive! And that forced him to ask-if the First Ones had left this region of space for the Rim, why hadn't they left from these Federation territories?
He didn't understand. That confused him even more. His studies of the Vulcans also surprised him. Apparently their history of space travel was as long or longer than the Minbari. He had to consider them one of the mature younger races, like his own and they too, associated with the Humans, even married them! It seemed that interspecies marriage was relatively commonplace in their home space. Now that was interesting, disgusting yes, but interesting. He thanked Valen that Delenn was the only one insane enough to undergo the Vorlon procedure to look and apparently act like the Humans. What would Garrett look like as a Minbari he wondered? Quickly, he forced his mind away from such horrible thoughts.
His appointment with the doctor hadn't been until six hours later and so he spent that time delving into the history of the Federation to compare it with that witch Garrett's information. What he found shocked him to the core of his being. The Federation, the Klingons and someone called the Romulus were recently at war with a group calling themselves the Dominion. He almost lost track of the time as he read and listened to unclassified accounts of that immense war. A race of shape shifters could cause untold panic among his people. And the Jem'hadar warriors being grown to fight wars for those shapeshifting creatures filled him with dread and revulsion. His people weren't prepared to encounter the likes of them.
Then the Federation's current war caught his attention. Machines against organics. It appeared that just about everybody had join forces against this new foe. He requested an image of these Cylons and seeing the huge representative, he nearly fell off his chair. The standard warrior was seven feet tall with a single laser bright revolving eye. It was basically humanoid shaped and walked around as if it were an armored vehicle but carried an archaic sword hung on its side. But that one was nothing compared to the nine foot golden warrior with the dual, blood-red eyes casually carrying an energy rifle that would put to shame many types of small cannons. And they had allies, too; a species called the Borg, half artificial, half organic, soulless abominations that absorbed all they encountered. They were collectors of worlds while the Cylons were destroyers of worlds. In the Universe's secret name, he had no idea of the terrors out there!
No wonder these Federation people had such formidable ships and equipment. Everything in their part of space was trying to kill them! This was something the Minbari Council needed to understand. These Humans could very well bring destruction to all of the surrounding sectors and they had enough trouble without bringing those 'thing's into the territory. He shivered at the thought. Federation territory was vast and as loath as he was to admit it, it made Minbari territory seem miniscule in comparison. They weren't nearly as strong has he believed a few days ago. His whole perspective was different now. Curse Garrett and her ship, too! He should have won and remained blissfully ignorant of the universe around him.
/\
One good thing was that he was allowed one aide, which now accompanied him to this ship. Lennier was a pleasant individual but even Rannaonn could see the deep undercurrents rippling just below the surface. He didn't say much. That wasn't unusual for one of the religious. But when he did speak, the Alyt took notice of it.
They arrived at the medical center and he and Delenn's spy entered followed by their escort. The room was bright and almost cheery with some type of background music playing. The music was interesting, a bit stimulating, but not as interesting as the robotic figure standing next to a young blond female Human! How did they develop such instruments? The other Human, obviously the doctor of Voyager saw them, made a polite excuse and walked over to them. The Human doctor with very little hair greeted him, and he sighed. He was hoping that the doctor wasn't Human, or Vulcan for that matter. Selar was colder than Garrett's smile-except when Lennier was present. And Lennier seemed somehow eager to remain in her presence. Wisely, the Alyt kept this observation to himself, however.
"Greetings, Alyt Rannaonn. "I'm glad that you could make it. And you're on time. I didn't have to initiate a search for you. I'm impressed. Most command officers are notoriously late when it comes to physical examinations. You seem to be an exception to the rule."
"I was ordered by Captain Garrett to come," he sneered. This Humans was as haughty as the others of his species.
"I'm sure she only had your best interests in mind," the doctor said. He then proceeded to wave a small instrument over the irritated Minbari. "You're in very good health, Alyt," he pronounced. "However, I would have concerns about your children."
"I have no children," the Alyt said coldly. That bothered him. There were so few children being born all over Minbar and deep down there was a generalized fear that the Minbari people would one day become extinct before they could take their rightful place among the First Ones. However that statement had aroused his curiosity and Lennier's as well. "What do you mean by concerns?"
"As you must already know," the Federation doctor said, eagerly preparing to explain. "You have alien DNA incorporated into your own. It's Human DNA to be exact, joined to your own and although the science behind it was sufficient to produce viable children at one time, the artificial links have degraded."
Two pairs of Minbari eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. "What are you talking about?" the Alyt screamed. "There has never been any Human DNA in our blood." This doctor had insulted him most deeply and he was about to hurt him most severely because of it.
Before he could lay hands on the Human, he spoke. "There is no mistake," he said. There is Human DNA in your genetic structure. I can show you." And without waiting, he proceeded to head towards a large viewer. He punched a few buttons and the image of Minbari DNA appeared on the screen. "This is your genome. Take a look at the Chromosomal structure," he said. Since, I am aware that you're not a scientist, I'll explain in as simple of terms as I can."
The Minbari simply nodded. He'd kill the doctor later.
"This chromosome number fifteen is different from its companion. The reason why is because it's been modified as has been the sex chromosomes depicted here," he said pointing to the now prepared karyotype. If we look directly at the genetic structure we can see the modifications clearer. Notice that I have marked the Minbari DNA in blue and Human in red for easier identification. These red genes are unmistakably of Human origin. Now compare this with Human DNA."
The red genes overlapped a normal set of Human genes and matched them perfectly. Lennier's mouth almost hit the floor. Rannaonn's lips were simply thin and grew thinner by the moment.
"If we were to perform a scan of your aide here, we would probably discover similar findings. Now, the only reason that this could have occurred is if someone deliberately introduced Human DNA into your gene pool and I theorize that this is that's exactly what happened. Someone spliced your DNA with Humanity's by using this linkage sequence here." He pointed up and a set of genes on the screen changed to green color. "That color linked the red and blue genes, apparently serving as a bridge. "Apparently, this bridge was haphazardly designed because I estimate that it began to degrade after six generations. The most plausible scenario is that a Human was physically and genetically restructured to emulate your species and that is how it was probably introduced into your population. Those responsible were either ignorant, didn't do a good job, or simply didn't care about the long term effects of such a blending."
"I don't understand," the Alyt said as his temper cooled down. He now approached depression as the importance of these revelations struck him. His heart had accepted the truth but his mind hadn't caught up with it yet.
"Simply put, the more these links spread throughout your gene pool the more unstable it became. The sex chromosomes and Chromosome fifteen cross links shown here basically unravel at a critical point very early in pregnancy, maybe within forty-eight hours and the result was an increasing lower birth rate for your people. We've dealt with problems like this before and can remedy the problem, however I believe that this is a major problem for your species. If I were to take a statistical sample, I would probably find these links distributed throughout your species entire genome. Something needs to be done soon, or the Minbari will only be a memory within thirty to forty generations."
Rannaonn and Lennier were rigid. "The Minbari who was not Minbari," the Alyt heard Lennier whisper. "Valen."
"Why would the Vorlons do this?" Rannaonn moaned. And more importantly what did Delenn do to herself, he thought. It was that Vorlon machine that changed the Human into Valen and the same machine had changed Delenn into a Human likeness. He feared for her physical body. Her children with Starkiller, if any, might suffer deformities at most and sterility at least. Minbari children were too precious to suffer like that, even if they were hybrids of a race that should have been destroyed.
"Genetic engineering to produce viable offspring is relatively common now. Of course it helps if the species are relatively close. But the approach is radically different from that used by the Vorlons," the doctor said. "We consider both the short and long term complications of such procedures. You can reproduce once again without difficulty."
"You don't have the medical expertise to undo what the Vorlons have created," Rannaonn snapped.
"On the contrary, I would be surprise if I couldn't do it," the doctor answered. "With my background, this type of procedure is an inconvenience, nothing more."
Rannaonn sputtered at the doctor. His confidence was overwhelming. Could he possibly be that self-assured? Were these people that advanced? Valen's blood!
"But in order to spread the cure among the people," the doctor continued, "you may have to change your lifestyle."
"In what way?" asked Rannaonn.
"We're talking multiple wives and multiple husbands-multiple mating. I thought that you would have figured that out by now."
"I-I don't understand," Rannaonn said.
"Well," the doctor said. "Obviously you didn't. Let me enlighten you. If you want to insure a viable and healthy population, then your society will under some radical changes. Five to seven children per couple should become standard among your people. No more three year or more long-term engagements. You'll want offspring as soon as possible."
"We'd never survive," protested Lennier. "Our society would border on chaos."
"Humans handle it. Does this mean that the Minbari can't? I've read up on your culture. I'm surprise that you have the strength to mate after all of those rituals."
"Do you have children?" protested Rannaonn.
"If I were Human, I would like to."
Both Minbari were surprised, especially the Alyt. He wasn't Human. Interesting because he certainly looked and acted like one.
"I believed you to be Human. What species are you?"
"Looks can be deceiving. I am not an organic being. I began as an emergency holographic projection, but I have evolved into a full-fledged sentient life form."
Again, two sets of jaws dropped to the floor. "You're a hologram?"
"Yes."
"But you're solid and not in a holo-room!"
"That is true, I'm proud to say. Federation technology and acceptance has evolved as well. I am a full member of this crew with all of the rights that that implies."
A self-aware, intelligent computer program! A true, free, independent A.I.on their vessel! Rannaonn's body shook. It was arrogant because it had every right to be. Oh, how he hated Rachel Garrett! Why couldn't she had simply died so that he could have remained blissfully ignorant of the things going on in the universe. Now, his eyes were opened and the darkness was pushing against the doorway of his mind, forcing its way in. He could no more afford to remain smug with the knowledge of the superiority of the Minbari. Minbari superiority evaporated the instant those Federation ships made their appearance in his space. They were behind and needed to catch up quickly. They needed allies against the coming darkness. Even-even the Feds would be needed. The Grey Council was going to be in an uproar when they received his report and recommendations. They'd been stagnant for too long, held back and their very bodies poisoned by the Vorlons. Change was in the air and he hoped that his society could pick up the pieces when it came crashing done. Nothing would be the same anymore.
Babylon Five Conference:
"The Vorlons and Shadows have been playing a game, or maybe we should call it an experiment with all of the races in this sector of space," Janeway continued. "Have you ever wondered why there are only a few telepathic species present in each race? Have you ever wondered why everyone uses jump space and have not developed any of the dozen other types of faster than light methods? Have you wondered why you can never get a straight answer from a Vorlon? Both races are guilty of genetic manipulation, genocide and interfering with the natural development of the so-called younger races."
Janeway noticed the Vorlon shivering under its encounter suit. "You let them know," the High Vorlon accused of Lorien. Lorien merely shook his head in response. Surprised, he turned back towards his adversary. "The younger races need guidance. If not properly guided, they would develop too fast and move much farther than they should. Our path offers stability."
/\
Who are you to determine what our path is and how fast we should travel?" Sheridan retorted. "Yes, we will make mistakes and we will stumble along the way but they are ours to make. And we will learn. That is our strength and when we encounter them we will deal with it as best we can."
"You display your youth by your arrogance. You do not know what is out there," the Vorlon calmly replied. "We will be your guides, as we have always been," he pronounced with finality.
"We don't need your guidance any more."
The Vorlon Lord's iris narrowed once more. "The younger races require our help. With the presence of the Federation, your species are moving too far, and too fast. "You are not ready for what awaits in darkness."
"By your calculations, maybe we aren't, but we won't reset the clock simply to please you" Sheridan said. "We want your help," Sheridan said correcting the Vorlons earlier comment. "But we will deal with the problems when they come and we will try our best."
"You are an arrogant creature, Sheridan. These races are young, weak, and immature. You have no idea what the coming darkness will bring."
"You haven't done that much to help us in the first place," he answered. He paused to reflect for a moment. "Frankly, I don't have a clue what the next hour will bring. "But I will face it with everything I have boldly, with or without your help."
The Vorlon spoke, completely ignoring the words just uttered. "If you survive the Yonji Sinhindrea then you will spread into places that will consume you utterly, before you are ready. There are places of great beauty and unimaginable terror. We offer help, but you would reject us. When the Sinhindrea come, we will see if you can face them, children. We will leave you to your misfortunes since you do not desire to follow the advice of your betters."
/\
Guinan stood up. She had heard enough of this and as she observed the other races murmuring to themselves she knew she would have to speak up before everything fell apart. "The price you're demanding of them is too high," she snapped at the Vorlon. Instantly the creature turned to face her. "These people will learn and adapt. That is their strength and your weakness. You fear them because of what they can become, one day possibly even greater than the Vorlons. You stifle their technology because ultimately you fear them, just as the Shadows attempt to strengthen them just enough so that they will forever remain inferior to them."
"You, 'Human'," he snapped back. "You are not what you seem to be. Your presence here incites danger. You will leave, now," the High Lord ordered coldly.
"For your information, my name is Guinan and we are not going anywhere. I suggest that you deal with it."
"Then the Vorlon Empire will rejoice in helping to expedite your departure."
Beside him two of his fellow Vorlons stepped up in support of their leader. Without fully thinking, Guinan went into a vaguely defensive posture and the Vorlons, weary of her, prepared for battle.
The Shadows, shocked by the intensity the Vorlons were exhibiting against a lone Human took a much closer look at her. This time they perceived an energy signature unlike anything they'd seen before. Ambassador Kosh took a moment to observe also. Guinan knew that he had suspected for a while. Now he knew.
To her right Picard stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. He, of course, knew the truth, but seeing it was a new experience. He was so stiff, but how she liked that man. So much potential- so much hurt. It was good that Rachel was here with him.
But glancing at Janeway, she didn't seem surprised. And no wonder; she had the stink of Q all over her. She knew what was going on. They needed to talk when this was over.