Chapter 36
"Eighteen hours continued"
Blackmail is a wonderful thing


USS Voyager:

"Captain," Tuvok said. "Shields have just activated."

A second later, Voyager was rocked by a full forced shadow cutting beam focused directly at the bridge. The starship was moving in reverse picking up speed but a one-point two kilometer long Shadow battlecrab was keeping pace, continuing to focus its weapon on the bridge.

One moment, the fleets of the so-called younger races were inactive and keeping their distance from the Vorlon and Shadow fleets, and the next, ten of the Shadow vessels were moving, attacking other shadow warships while two headed directly for Babylon Five. Immediately, the other Shadow vessels gave chase firing on the attackers, slashing at one another in an orgy of violence. Two of the organic vessels turned to attack Voyager and Ambassador.

The Ambassador, commanded by Commander Castillo, had detected the energy buildup and the ship automatically activated shields. The slashing attack dropped their shields to forty percent before the starship responded with phasers tuned to inflict as much damage to Shadow bioarmor as possible. Deep gashes gorged into the Shadow marred the translucent almost surface of the ship and the vessel screamed. Ambassador was at half impulse firing and evading beam attacks while she was being tracked by the maddened shadow vessel. The Klingon vessel Azetbur began to move preparing to assist the Ambassador.

Voyager was slower to respond to the unexpected attack, but she was quickly outrunning the Battlecrab. But the alien's slasher beam wasn't letting up.

"Shields at eighty percent…seventy-three percent…sixty-one percent…"

The Shadow vessel screamed its fury at the retreating ship.

"Lock phasers," Chakotay yelled.

"Phasers locked."

"Fire."

Two other Shadow warships pursuing the first one simply stopped in their tracks as the Federation ships phasers hit the offending battle crab and cleanly cut it in half. The ship didn't even have time enough to emit a death-scream as the two halves begin to crumble, leaving ichor and already dead crew to disintegrate in the vacuum of space. Not even a Vorlon battleship had ever destroyed one of their kind so easily, and for a moment, both ship's crews hesitated as they tried to decide whether Voyager was the bigger threat than the traitors. After a few moments they both turned to aid their brethren and sisters against the betrayers.

"Look's like they've decided to have a civil war," Tom said as he burst onto the bridge to replace the night-watch navigator.

That thought had cross Chakotay's mind as well. Several of the spiderships had damaged or destroyed some of their own before the others pounced on them. The Vorlons had done nothing except move out of the way of the running battle. Quickly checking Ambassador, he saw that the Klingons were using their disruptors to slice arms off of the attacking ship before the Ambassador phaser beam finished it off.

"Tom, Babylon Five."

"In range in five seconds, Captain."

Chakotay looked at Tuvok and grimaced. That would just enough time to be too late.

xxx

An Omega and a Sharlin were both shredded by energy beams before they could even began to respond by the first of two Shadow battle crabs targeting mammoth space station. Hundreds of crafts of all descriptions began fleeing the area as both attacker and defender weapons spewed forth death in every direction. Purplish beams at full power opened up on the station before any of the other ships could come to its aid. At that power and range, the Earth Alliance space station would be converted into so much debris in a matter of moments.

Instead, the beams slammed into an invisible bubble surrounding and protecting the station. The newly installed shields near the command center, glowing brightly, dissipating the beams heat and energy, were already paying for themselves. Other than a slight vibration, the station itself barely registered the hit. Surprised by the shields, the Shadows lingered a couple of seconds too long and were instantly destroyed by weapons from multiple vectors. Two more shadows flew past B5's bridge, heading back for their assigned stations. The other renegade Shadow vessels had been destroyed by their own kind and these ships were uncompromised.

The vessels slowly rejoined the remains of the fleet, suddenly wary of each other. Seventeen ships, ten of which were compromised had been destroyed. Thirty ships from various other races had been destroyed by the enslaved battlecrabs and their free counterparts who apparently cared little as to what were in their way while they targeted and shot at one another.

Forty three Shadow crews suddenly felt unsure around each other. They were also wary of the new Federation vessel that carried enough firepower to destroy top-of-the-line Shadow battle crabs with impunity. But at this point they had no idea as to what their next course of action would be.

Babylon Five Conference room:

Before anyone could move, the Shadow leap at Guinan, every natural weapon bared to rend and kill one of the Humans that denied the Sinhindrea their gate. Guinan was already protecting herself, her hands raised to fend off the attack. There was a flash bright enough to blind everyone and the Shadow was thrown back screaming. The alien thrashed incoherently before it died a moment later. Guinan looked pale, at once horrified and determined as she watched the alien' death throes. Quickly, she turned to and astonished ambassador Kosh.

"Thank you, Ambassador Kosh for your protection," she said to him loudly enough for everyone to hear.

His iris opened in surprise, then narrowed, then opened again. He bowed. "Yes," he acknowledged. That one word conveyed to her everything she'd hoped for.

With that acknowledgement, he had agreed to cover up her actions by taking the credit for the Shadow's death. The younger ones would assume that it was he that had saved her. Her power was incredible, far more than he had expected. Their future conversations were about to become a lot more interesting than they already were.

As surprised as he was however, his leader had been terrified by the events that had just transpired. Babylon Five had just been attacked by the Shadows while he was on the station essentially defenseless. Kosh had defied him by agreeing and supporting Guinan. The Shadow leadership had been compromised by the ancient enemy who now knew everything that had transpired at the conference. The one called Guinan had vanquished a matured Shadow lord with ease. And the reports concerning Voyager and the other alien ship called the Azetbur frightened him even more. No child race should posse power enough to challenge First Ones. When that occurred, the young ones had to be culled because they always resisted the instructions of their elders and that could never be tolerated.

Events couldn't be seen now and he like every other Vorlon was terrified of the unknown. The younger races were in a state of near-panic and were only now just calming down. He understood that because he had been frightened himself. The Federation shields were impressive and he was glad they had been installed. This station was a magnet for trouble and needed all of the help it could get. The Vorlon laughed as he realized that even he thought of the station as a living entity.

Sheridan, more and more a calming influence, informed every one of the events that had occurred and had assured them that the station was safe and secured. Many of the crewmen of the Human and Minbari ships destroyed were saved by the transporters of Babylon Five and the Federation ships.

Kosh found it reassuring that even the famous John Sheridan believed in Guinan's ruse, saving a lot of unwanted questions for the future. However there were two who were suspicious. The Admiral's eyes betrayed her. Picard's stony face betrayed him. They were both aware of what Guinan was but each had chosen to keep her secret. Kosh approved their loyalty and respect. All around him, existence had become unpredictable and ancient, ancient Kosh reveled in it like a child discovering something new for the first time.

The Shadow lord approached the podium once more and did something no being had ever seen before. She bowed her head and apologized, to the shock of everyone. "The enemy has more of a hold than we had anticipated. My fleet will do nothing to harm this station at this time. Those that had sought to disrupt our meeting have been dealt with, "she added. There was so much sorrow at the loss of her associate that each person in the room could feel it. "The matter is over." Then she turned to face the Vorlon called Kosh Ura. "Our dispute is over," she told him telepathically. "We have won the great debate. Strife builds strength. It is so obvious now that even a Vorlon can see it."

"The dispute has not yet been decided," Kosh Ura announced in righteous fury.

"Yes it is," ordered a third voice. "The Shadows are correct, Strife does build strength and character," Guinan said. "But order controls mindless chaos, focuses it so that it can be useful. Both of them are needed so that life can continue. Like gravity, it's a fundamental law of the universe, something both of you ancient races should have remembered. But you were too stubborn to admit the truth so you've allowed billions to die in your pettiness just to determine whose flawed theory was right. You should have helped them to advanced, to improve, but Pakleds have more common sense than the two of you."

A fourth voice entered into the conversation. "Guinan has spoken," said Lorien. "This pointless contest and your bickering will come to an end-now. You will make amends and help the younger races with all of the resources you have available to you."

"Lorien," said the Shadow Lord. "With respect, you are the first of the First Ones, the oldest of us all. But we will not fight the Sinhindrea for these young ones. Our plans are ruined because of the 'other' humans and we choose to go to the Rim. This galaxy no longer needs us and we will join the others. We will no longer be alone."

"We will continue our journey to the rim as well," the Vorlon leader announced. "Let the Sinhindrea also destroy the Federation. The younger races have rejected us. The consequences of their actions are on their own heads. "

"Agreed. They have sown their own seeds of destruction. Let it consume them wherever they are."

"No," said Lorien very pleasantly. "You will not go to the Rim and abandon your responsibilities you were entrusted with. If you do go, my message to the others will be not to let you and the others who journey there even now, continue on without my permission. You will never join the others."

Both leaders gasped in shock, horror and growing anger against the eldest being in universe.

"We have always revered you," the Shadow lord said to Lorien. "But we cannot prevail against the aliens. It is the Vorlon's fault. They should be the ones to stay and die for the younger races they have corrupted."

"Do you know what lies at the Rim?" asked Lorien. Their combined silence lasted for several moments. "There is a place," he continued. "A rift where this universe ends and something glorious beyond imagination begins. The journey there is only just the beginning. Crossing the veil starts the new existence."

"Sounds interesting," Guinan muttered. "It's a shame that you won't be there for the ride."

Both leaders glared vehemently at her.

But Lorien ignored them and turned to Guinan. He spoke to here specifically but the telepathic voice was loud enough for the Vorlon and Shadows to clearly 'hear' his words. "The enthralled Shadows were ordered to destroy this station, effectively destroying the combined leadership of all of the races that could oppose them in any way. They also were hoping to destroy me as well. I am an unknown factor to them. And unknown factors have a tendency to get in the way. When Voyager found me, the ancient enemies of the Vorlons were trying to kill me. That, they discovered, was somewhat more difficult than they had anticipated. Voyager's minefield has proven formidable and they have been unable to break through in either direction, but that obstacle can't last much longer. They fear Humanity and anything that species has touched because of their potential for creating things that can destroy their species. They are breeding and they are building. As things are, the younger races everywhere will have no chance unless the Vorlons, Shadows and the other First Ones still present come to the forefront. And they will because this will be their payment for the damage they have done in my name and in the name of this galaxy. The Shadows have worshiped me because of my age. I let them and that was my mistake. The Vorlons thought of me as the personification of order, and I let them. That was also my mistake. It is time for all of us to make amends, starting now."

Lorien turned to Captain Sheridan. "We have more guests arriving. Please grant them access.

xxx

In CnC, Captain Sandra Hiroshi simply shook her head. Captain Laurel Takashima eyebrows were raised. Commander Susan Ivanova simply stared out of the window at the mess floating outside.

"When the Vorlons came for Captain Sinclair and were threatening to kill everyone on the station, I thought that was as bad at it could get," Takashima said.

"I thought that when my ship was burning and I had given the order to crash into one of EarthForce's own, 'that' was as bad as it could get," Hiroshi said.

"Neither one of you have been here long enough," Ivanova said. "Things always get worse."

The three women continued to stare outside trying to take in the enormity of it all. Dozens of ships had been destroyed. Scores of refugee ships were begging to come onboard, EarthForce twitched on one side, the Centauri fidgeted on the other. Vorlons shadowing Shadows, Shadows shooting at one another, Federation ships filled with Humans carrying technology that was the envy of everybody. And the Minbari were circling like vultures waiting for something to happen.

"Ladies," Hiroshi announced. "This is the reason why our hair grows grey before its time."

"And we volunteered for this crap," Takashima added sarcastically.

"Yep."

"Here we go again. Babylon Five control to alien vessel," Hiroshi said. "You are not cleared to enter the docking bay. I repeat, do not approach the docking bay. You will be escorted from the area if you continue on your present vector."

Comms lit up with screeching sounds.

"We are in need! Please help our brood!" The translator given to them by the Feds worked its magic once more.

"It's the insect aliens again," Hiroshi said. "The Sinhindrea wiped out their entire species. It's only a few thousand of them left. We can't let them in. If we do everyone's going to want to come in and we won' be able to handle them all."

"Jumpgate's opening Ma'am."

"Who is it?"

"We don't know for certain," Lieutenant Yu responded. "We've been tracking them but their signal is somehow being distorted."

"Order Green squadron to met 'em. A Sharlin will back them up."

Thirty small one man vessels jumped into Babylon Five space.

"Wonderful," moaned Susan.

"Who are they?" Takashima asked.

"They're called Soul Hunters. They collect souls, if you can believe in such things."

"You've got to be kidding," Hiroshi announced, convinced of the absurdity of her statement.

"I wish," the Commander retorted. "Babylon Five to Soul Hunters group, please state your intentions."

"We're receiving a communiqué."

Onscreen a bald-headed humanoid with a large jewel implanted in the middle of his forehead appeared. He was pale and seemed very uncomfortable speaking to the Commander. "The members of my sect have come here ask that we are allowed to participate in the conference," he said quickly. Clearly he was expecting a terse reply. His people were reviled across the galaxy as spirit-thieves. And many were killed outright as they performed what they considered their sacred duty. There were many who didn't believe in their holy cause but those who did, feared them greatly. Those who didn't, didn't want anything to do with them. They were outcastes dedicated to a holy mission.

"The last time one of your people came here, he tried to kill ambassador Delenn. The Minbari didn't take that lightly."

"Our brother, he was deranged," the Soul Hunter answered. "The loss of Dukhat's soul unbalanced him. But he acted alone without the consent of our sect. Despite the rumors, we do not collect from the living." The Minbari were the only race ever to have resisted the combined might of the Soul Hunters. The sect had tried to save Dukhat's soul, to preserve it forever. The Minbari thought otherwise and his soul was lost to the universe. Such a waste was considered an atrocity and there was bitterness on both sides. That could have led to war, but the Minbari were more upset with the Earthers at the time… "The scent of dead is overwhelming. We are offering our services to help stop the slaughter."

"I'll have to ask Captain Sheridan. Please wait." Susan cut communications and then snarled. "I am sorry, but those people give me the creeps. And I've only me one of them."

Sheridan's response didn't surprise her in the least. She sighed, then re-established communications. To the Soul Hunters," she said slowly. "One of you will be allowed to dock, the rest of you please move to an area six thousand kilometers away from the station at the coordinates I am transmitting to you. This way you won't scare our guests."

"We will do as you say," responded the Soul Hunter. His ship began to move towards the station followed by a Sharlin. The rest moved off without protest.

"Just another day at Babylon Five, the most beloved station in the galaxy," muttered Susan.

"And they said this station wouldn't survive its first year," Sandra said. "What does Las Vegas know?"

"We need a drink or five" said Takashima. "When you're off-duty, come and get me. I'm buying."

"Fine by us, but none of that synthehol stuff. I want the real thing."

"Absolutely."

"Deal," Sandra said. "Unless the station blows up, I'll see you at nine-hundred hours."

"By your command."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's just something I heard Thomas Riker say once and its stuck with me," Susan answered. "You know, I don't understand them. It's like William hates his brother. But they're both so much alike that I have trouble telling them apart."

"Men."

"Don't get me started. You know Geordi is totally smitten with Ambassador's junior engineer. Sonya won't give him the time of day. Now, don't get me wrong, she likes him, but the man is about as romantic as a brick. He wouldn't know what to do with a woman if she came up and bit him where the sun don't shine."

Well, Garibaldi's doing pretty good with Deanna, but I don't know how that's going to work. He went into a funk when Mars was bombed by those aliens. There was someone there, I think. He hasn't said much, but I can tell."

"What about Ben?" Laurel whispered. "The man is a hunk, with that bald head and dark brown eyes. The man's so layered it would take years to understand him. I could deal with that."

"You mean Captain Sisko?" Sandra asked.

"Oh, yes," Laurel confirmed. Captain Sisko."

"He seems-I don't know-distant."

"It's a lot of grief there," Laurel responded. "I'll have to check him out a bit more before I decide if he's worth it."

"You may have some competition. There's a EarthForce navigator that he's been asking about."

"Hummph."

"Hey, I want to know what's happening with Corwin and that Klingon woman," whispered Sandra.

"Talk about freaky. Now 'that'…"