Chapter 38

"Eighteen Hours"

Draconis Star system

Minbari Sharlin Hosanna:

"What is it?"

"I don't know," the tactical officer stated. "I've not seen this before. It is most unusual."

"Yes, I see," First-in-Command Tebash stared at the computer's display with trying to discern exactly what he was seeing. Civilian comm traffic had increased dramatically at the sight of the strange craft casually heading towards the planet. "Is that one of the Federation ships?"

"No," was the response. "It's not responding to any of the hails. This could be a first contact situation."

'Aliens were coming out of the ice flow,' thought Tebash. 'And during these perilous times, this is not a good idea.' "Try to identify the ship. Inform the Shai Alyt and ask him to come to the bridge.

The Shai Alyt was in his quarters relaxing, reading his orders once more. He was disturbed by the rashness of the Grey Councils orders to go to Babylon Five. His thoughts were interrupted by his interlink beeping for his attention.

"Shai Alyt Jaysonn, we're detecting unusual distortions. Apparently a ship has come out of FTL transit and is heading towards the homeworld."

"What does that have to do with us?" he asked the young warrior manning the comms. "The home guard has authority here."

"It's of unknown configuration and it did not use a jump point to enter our space. It's different from anything I've ever seen."

"Not jump space?"

"Negative."

"I'll be there immediately. Continue monitoring the situation."

He stretched. Hope for a few last moments of peace before a long mission had disappeared. Slowly, he headed for the bridge. Babylon Five continued dominating his thoughts. Could he have done better than Alyt Rannaonn in a contest against the Ambassador? The Hosanna was a more powerful Sharlin than Blood of Saints, he proudly admitted to himself and he would have approached the situation differently. He had no hatred for the Feds and their technology, although impressive, was only the equal to his own peoples-with the exception of the energy shields. Now that particular technology was worth bargaining for. Any advantage that allowed one to survive longer in a firefight was worth it. But trying to take it was foolish. Why did he try to provoke what could be powerful allies, or very dangerous enemies for something that could be acquired in a more civilized manner? The Starfleeter ships were rumored to take on Shadow battlecrabs and survive the experience. Didn't that give him a hint of the capabilities of those vessels? The Grey Council should be talking about developing closer ties with those Humans, not promoting hostilities. Besides, many Minbari who had contact with them seemed to get along well, even enjoying the overall experience. As for Alyt Shaka, his head was so empty of intelligence, his skull should have long since imploded from the power of the vacuum inside it. By anyone's standards he was- what was the popular derogatory term the Humans used?- boneheaded. He didn't know Rannaonn personally, but the Alyt was stupid to…

His thoughts were interrupted by the loud siren of combat alert just as he entered the bridge. "Report," he demanded.

"Two patrol vessels have just been destroyed by the unknown contact."

Surprise registered on the Shai Alyt's face. Hadn't they had their stealth fields active? "Who is responding?" he demanded.

"Two Tinashis are on high speed vector, the Dybiva and Starshine."

"Sir, there are more distortions," the Comms Officer said quickly. "The ships are a lot bigger….receiving data. There are close to thirty small ships and ten large carriers. We have identification…" He stopped and stared at the screen for a second. "It can't be!"

"By all that is sacred! Active our squadron! Power all weapons. No stealth," he continued. "Those aliens can see through our screens. Use the power for the weapons. Inform Minbar Central that we are engaging the Sinhindrea."

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Babylon Five:

Captain Garrett stood on the podium, preparing here speech. It was kind of daunting as ISN and several other Human and alien news agencies had stuck microphones at her. The floating ones were those that irritated her the most. "Representatives from EarthForce, the Minbari Federation, Babylon Five and my vessel, the Ambassador traveled to Z'ha'dum. We also carried several ambassadors from the Non-Aligned races with us to evaluate the threat of these aggressive species. What we found was a star system filled with the remains of Shadow, Sinhindrea, and Drakh vessels for a distance of two light years. As we approach the planet, we discovered the Sinhindrea had dominated the battle. We managed to capture one of the aliens but it was killed as it tried to escape its cell.

The details of that breakout attempt have been forward to the various news agencies. However I will sum it up as quickly as I can," she continued. "What we captured was in effect a juvenile less than three years old." The huge view screen in front of the assembly presented a 3D representation of the squid-like creature. "Physically it has three times the mass of a Human adult, very strong and highly telepathic. The creature continually transmitted emissions of joy and contentment as it tried to entice my security guards open the cell door. When that failed the creature went into a rage. The creature is a cyborg. It has cybernetic implants that allow it to interface with its ship. And it also carries several weapons including very sharp teeth designed to shred its prey-meaning us. It is an aquatic creature that has adapted itself to just about any environment and autopsy reports of its digestive system have suggested that it's constantly starving for fresh protein. The adult version, shown here, is more crustacean-like, seven to nine time larger than and adult Human male. Genetically, these aliens are triple-helix, carbon-based life forms, also possessing unique characteristics found in silicon-based DNA. Our medical staff believes that they have undergone extensive modification to their genetic structure which would account for their resilience and the silicon characteristics.

"The nymphs, as we have taken to calling the juveniles, use these ships shown here." The image changed from the menacing looking adult Sinhindrea to a fighter craft. "These ships are the standard fighter used by the Sinhindrea. There are three types that vary in size and power only. The first is not much larger than an EarthForce Starfury. The second is the size of a Whitestar fighter. The third is the size of an EarthForce Hyperion destroyer. They are equipped with defense shields and plasma-based pulse weapons.

"Their larger vessels are bigger than a Shagotti-class Sharlin with two sizes." That caused more than a few murmurs. Those who hadn't seem that class ship had certainly heard of it. It was considered one of the supreme vessels in the younger races.

"The first variation we have designated cruiser and battleship, is essentially a huge power matrix encased in a crystalline globe of unknown properties, probably some sort of osmotic particle chamber and large weapons emplacement, supported by several secondary beam weapons. Their weapons include both the pulse plasma weapon and a high intensity energy beam capable of destroying any enemy the come into contact with. We have theorized that the power matrix used by them is a form of quantum annihilation. A constant creation and destruction of micro-black holes would create the type and amount of energy we're seeing within these ships. These single-globed ships are fourteen and sixteen hundred meters, respectively. The other vessel classified as a dreadnaught is twenty-two hundred meters and has two power globes at the rear of the vessel. All of their vessels are protected by defensive shields which are energy fields capable of deflecting incoming weapon's fire. The composition of this structure is unknown to us and consists of an alloy that can't be fully identified by our scanners. The ship itself is hollow and is a composite of tritanium and a crystalline substance, held together by some type of fluidic polymer, sensors can't even begin to identify. The fluidic polymer keeps the structure together, acting as a kind of adhesive keeping the ship together. This polymer soaks up energy like a sponge and we believe that it is used as an assist to transfer energy back and forth to the rest of the vessel. We have come to think of it as the life-blood of the ship used in the same manner as we use to transfer our energy throughout Federation vessel. But it is a technology completely foreign to anything we have encountered in our travels.

"I cannot stress how dangerous these ships are. One on one, an unshielded vessel has almost no chance against one of these monsters. It takes an average of seven direct hits from a Starfury to effect a fighter of similar size. By then, it's too late," she added soberly. The technology is organically based and is similar to another race the Federation has encountered known as species 8472."

At that the Vorlons and Shadows perked up, curious. These Humans had encountered 'another' race that used organic technology! Once more, both the Shadows and Vorlons resolved to find out where these Federation interlopers came from. Long-ranged scouts from both sides had so far not turned up anything and that indicated the strong possibility that these people were from the other side of the Galaxy. It would take scouts months to get to the other side and begin their searches. These Federations had hidden themselves well, or more disturbingly, another group of First Ones had protected and hidden them.

As old as both species were, as well traveled as they were, they still hadn't seen everything in the galaxy. These unaltered Humans must have been transported away by another race, hidden and protected from both Vorlons and Shadows until the time came when they could disrupt the great experiment. The last Great War between the First Ones ten thousand years ago was the most likely time when this could have possibly occurred. Those unknown interlopers must have also kidnapped a few other primitive races as well and allowed them to develop technology that was far beyond their station. It was a violation of everything that the Vorlons stood for. Immature races should never be allowed such technology.

Covert, quick scans of these unknowns indicated that the genetic alterations inherent within all of the younger races for a region of at least four thousand light-years in all directions, wasn't present in these creatures. The great experiment had been compromised, the circle altered in ways no Vorlon could predict, the past unforeseen through old eyes. After this war, they would find the interferers and punish them for their insolent interference. But for now, they had to wait. Lorien's will was absolute. The meeting was winding down and tomorrow it would begin again. The young ones were weak and needed rest in order to continue functioning at full strength. Vengeance would be saved for later.

Chi Draconis Star system

"Have the patrol craft disengage immediately," he yelled. The small craft didn't have a chance and he knew it. "Order the Tinashis to engage- long distance weaponry only. Launch all Nials and have them engage the fighters only. Have the squadron follow my lead; we will deal with the capital ships. I want the Maxonn and Rishionn's Star to jump into hyperspace and await my orders. We'll flank these vessels and destroy them. Send word to the Grey Council of our situation."

"At once."

Four of six of the Minbari patrollers immediately reversed course and accelerated for all that they were worth as three of the third-space alien fighters began their pursuit. One of them fired and another patrol ship broke apart spilling its crew into hard vacuum. By now the others had reached the safety of the Tinashis frigate's weapons as it began long distance bombardment against the enemy. Undeterred, the three fighters fired back, their plasma pulses accurately hitting the foremost Tinashi. The ship's front weapons exploded upon impact. But it wasn't disabled and continued to fire secondary weapons scoring on one of the fighters. The fighter was knocked off trajectory and was hit again. This time, its shield didn't protect it and it flashed brightly before disappearing. The two other fighters slowed now, waiting for their companions which were now accelerating towards the Minbari.

"Order the Starshine to disengage," ordered Jaysonn. The ship was severely damage from the energy bolt and he had no intentions of unnecessarily sacrificing the crew.

Sixty Nials rushed ahead of his squadron and hit the smaller fighters with all of the firepower at their disposal. Nials fired on the smaller enemy fighters as they dodged retaliatory strikes. The Sinhindrea survived the first strikes as their energy shields absorbed the hellish weapons of his side's fire. Three Nials were destroyed instantly and four more were in trouble. One Nial went head to head with one of the enemy ships, firing over and over at point blank range. The enemy returned fire just as aggressively and vaporized the Nial along with its pilot.

Two things became immediately apparent. The first was that his people were relying too much on their stealth fields which were completely useless in this fire fight. They had been trained too well in its use and were having trouble compensating without its protection. The pilots weren't evading enough and it was getting them killed.

The second thing he noticed was that the Sinhindrea were anticipating where the Nials were going to turn. It was as if they were reading the pilots' intentions and with a start he understood that that's exactly what was happening.

"Have the Nials team up against the enemy, no less than three to one if possible," he desperately ordered. "The enemy can read our pilots minds, anticipating their next more. They must not think; they must do if they are to survive!" That was a tactic not used by his people for a thousand years because there had been no need for it. It was a natural mistake in the same vein as the telepaths who depended on their telepathy too much thereby sacrificing their other senses, allowing them to atrophy. It was a mistake he intended to correct.

Finally his squadron was in range of the larger ships. 'No time towaste'. "Fire."

Thirty-six Minbari warships fired as one. Twenty and forty megaton per second gravitic neutron and fusion beams splashed across the shields of all ten capital ships. To the stunned defenders, Minbari energy beams were reflected and did no damage to any of the enemy ships. The ten vessels returned fire and an equal number of Minbari vessels died. One moment they were there. The next, ten Minbari Sharlins and Tinashis ceased to exist, every one turned into a brilliant star with only one shot.

More warships were on their way but they wouldn't be in range for another twenty minutes. The patrol ships were assisting the Nials, who needed all of the help they could get staying alive. Enemy fighters were cutting them to pieces, the Minbari formations were being torn apart.

Alyt Jaysonn Hosanna was afraid. His defense wasn't working wasn't working. He quickly ordered the remaining ships to concentrate on two of the enemy only. They fired once more. The targeted Sinhindrea shields were overwhelmed, their power-sources compromised and the vessels exploded with enough force to destroy everything within a two thousand kilometer radius. The Sinhindrea shields had protected them from the blast but two more Tinashis and four Llandras just now answering the call, were caught in the energy wash and were completely vaporized. And eight more of his squadron died by enemy fire as he watched unable to do anything about it. Jaysonn couldn't believe it. The destruction of their ships was just as dangerous as being hit. If one of those things crashed onto the planet…!

One of the huge bulbous vessels, escorted by six of the larger organic ships moved away from the others and began a run toward the planet. His own escorts were firing at the warships now using everything they had to overcome the defensive screens protecting the hated enemy. The Alyt felt a cold fury that surpassed his hatred for Drakh and what they'd done. It was almost as strong as his mounting fears. "Order the Maxonn and Rishionn's Star to jump and stop the breakaway group by any means necessary! Order planetary defenses to fire on those ships! Don't let them get close to the planet!"

His own ship's long burst of fire added its hell to the others targeting the lead ship. The shields turned bright red as the onslaught continued. An instant later the shields failed and heavy neutron beams touched the power matrix. The Sinhindrea capital ship detonated with the most satisfying explosion he'd ever seen. But the breakaway ships heading towards the planet home was now his primary concern. Both Sharlins had entered normal space furiously firing on the enemy. They were supported by planetary defense and other ships of all configurations all trying stop the advance.

"What's happening with…?"

He never finished as his ship was sliced in half by a Sinhindrea beam weapon. The bridge had been spared a direct hit but the quantum singularity was moments away from going critical. He couldn't feel his legs. Looking down, he discovered that they weren't there anymore. Everyone else was dead and he could see the walls buckling about to open themselves to vacuum.

There was a horrible tearing sound as the bulkhead collapsed sucking the last remaining air and dead bodies into the great darkness. "What of my wife and child?" was his last thought before the coldness of space claimed his life.

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