Reign Of Rulers, book 10

by Guardian of the Isis Light

The Universe is dead! The Liberator's and Soldier's Of Darkness seek for Delenn and the prophecy on K'ha'dum, but John Sheridan and Neroon try to hold the line. This story ties up all 9 others. Special features...Ties in with Lord Of The Rings and Surface

5. The Invasion Of The Past

CHAPTER FIVE The Invasion of the Past

25 miles out Yedor lies Tuzanor, Minbar and the Grey Council is gathering. The major problem facing the Minbari Government is that the past of Earth and a few other cultures are appearing on Minbar and the Warrior Caste does not agree with this over population. "Delenn—convene the Grey Council if you please."

Delenn enters the center of the nine hooded caste members. As she takes a deep breath she begins her plea. "After we first were born to Minbar we shaped our lives and became the ones we were meant to be. When we were reborn here on Minbar we knew that the universe would give us special ones. But there was an increase of 20 of people appearing on Minbar. But this process is now over; the period of reformation has selected ones of our pasts to do something here on Minbar."

One of the Warrior Caste members unhoods himself, Delenn does not see him, but knows his voice—it is Neroon. "Delenn."

Delenn turns to face Neroon, "Neroon?"

Neroon smirks, the last time he has ever seen Delenn was when his body was blown up in the Star-Fire Wheel. "Isn't it strange that we must meet in these circumstances Delenn?"

Delenn narrows her eyes and slightly smiles and nods her head. "We tend to meet in environments that we don't tend to support."

Neroon continues, but back to his stern complexion. "Delenn, since seven cycles of the sun we have reported 50 human's, out of these 50 human's, 16 are younger then 20, and the other 34 are younger then 70 year old—do you think this is a strange occurrence Delenn?"

"Well the numbers are quite strangely related."

Neroon does not even lets Delenn continue, he likes to speak quickly, it prevents his views to be used against him. "There is also 12 aliens from 12 alien races which include Narn, Centauri, Gaim, Drazi, Soul Hunter, Drakh, Brakiri, Hyach, Antarean, Vree, even Vorlon and Shadow."

Delenn's eyes widen, that's the one word she never wants to hear, "Shadow?"

"Yes Delenn—you still think this is the universe's gift?" The term Shadow sends a chill up Delenn's spine. As Neroon looks at Delenn he ask a question that she dreads to hear. "So Delenn, be truthful, you yourself have taken on two children have you?" Delenn looks at Neroon stunned and worried to answer, Neroon forces the question. "Is there Delenn?"

Delenn lowers her eyes to the floor view and slowly nods her head "Yes Neroon, I have taken on the task of managing two Earth children."

Neroon, speaks quickly, but not harshly, for he already knew the answer. "Delenn, they need to be watched and tested, there is a growing number of strange abilities these shadows of the past are developing."

"I don't understand?" Says Delenn quickly looking at Neroon directly.

"Your two children you have taken on will develop change and alteration; you could be in danger Delenn." Say Neroon using more hand gestures to express his concern.

Delenn remains looking at Neroon, "So what do you want me to do?"

Neroon lowers his hands to his side and speaks calmly. "You must make the first action Delenn."

Delenn nods, "I will keep watch over them and if they manifest in abilities I will take full responsibility."

The Grey Council leader interrupts Neroon, "You're taking a risky chance Delenn!"

Delenn looks at the Grey Council leader, whom she does not know. "I know, but it may be a great burden if we were to treat them as if they were a threat to planetary security."

Neroon barks back in a deep strong tone. "They are a threat to planetary security Delenn." Delenn just sighs, Neroon looks at Delenn then nods. "Okay Delenn, go and try to raise them, but if they step out of line they will have to be either put to sleep in cryogenics or possibility killed."

Delenn looks quickly at Neroon, "Killed—on what bases?"

Neroon remains bland looking, "Unknown, until that resolution comes to surface Delenn." The Nine hooded Minbari leave Delenn's presence and Delenn is left alone to ponder on how will she raise Jake and Bri—and if they were to manifest, what would she do? As she leaves the building she goes to her flier to go home. As she arrives to the airport the thought of being alone worries her mind, but she is relieved when she remember about Bri and Jake. As she enters the house there waiting are Bri and Jake who are asleep because it is late. She walks over to them and touches Jake softly as not to awaken him. As she goes to her room she closes the door and goes to bed.

As the sun arose on the second day of Bri and Jake's new life; Delenn awakens early to watch the sunrise, a trend she has got herself in since her husbands death. As the sun is finally risen she looks to the entrance to the balcony and sees Jake. "Hello."

Jake looks cautiously at Delenn, "Hello Delenn, what are you doing up so early?"

Delenn looks at the mountains and the brilliant skyline above them. "Just watching the sunrise Jake."

Jake looks downward as if he said something wrong. "Ah—Delenn?"

Delenn looks at Jake, she has never heard Jake as a question before, and this surprises her. "Yes Jake—what is it."

Jake remains looking at the ground, but then looks at the sunrise. "Bri and I haven't been fully truthful about knowing this place."

Delenn looks at first confused about the question then answer. "I don't quite understand Jake?"

"What I mean Delenn is that we already knew about Babylon 5, Minbar, and even you—we just planned to remain silent so we could learn the true outcome." Delenn seems confused, "Bri came to Children's on November 17th 2005. After we met I learned about the Babylon 5 area when Bri would talk about the place."

Delenn is still horribly confused. "But why did Bri act, as he knew nothing?"

"He was probably seeing if you were a threat to him, Bri has always been the kind to worry about his well being." Delenn looks off in the distance. "I'm sorry Delenn did I upset you?"

Delenn looks back at Jake, "No, I should have known."

Jake feels Delenn is not being truthful with him, "Is there anything you're not telling us Delenn?"

Delenn has a feeling Jake is hinting on the topic she does not want to talk about. "No, of course not Jake, nothing that is not needed to be known." Delenn now is curious, curious if Jake and Bri have been completely truthful, but casts that thought out and thinks about a new question to ask, "I am just curious Jake—when did you and Bri died?"

"This is a strange request Delenn," Jake ponders on the subject. "I died on July 7th 2010, I don't know when Bri died—he lived longer then I."

"I am truly sorry Jake!"

Jake smiles, "It's all right Delenn, this happened in the past, this is now Delenn—I have a whole life in front of me."

Bri comes outside where he hears the conversation going on, "Good morning Bri."

Bri still trying to get the sleep out of his eyes, "Good morning? It feels as if I only slept for half of the night!"

Delenn thinks to herself and remembers Earth's hours, "Here on Minbar we have 20-hour days."

Bri thinks for a second, "So we lose 4 hours?"

Delenn nods, but does not check the math...it's way to early to be doing that. "Yes, but I suppose in the long run you will live longer. Our year is half of a Human year, which is 182, and half days. So in one average Human year you gain two in Minbari years. So in Minbari for you Bri you are how old?"

Bri ponders for a second, "Well if we are beginning from the end I was twelve years old when I died and it does not look like I neither changed nor aged. So I am proclaiming twelve years old." Jake slightly chuckles.

Delenn nods, still not wanting to do any math at this moment, "Okay so in Minbari you would be 24 years old."

Jake responds, wanting to criticize poor Bri. "That is old!"

Delenn looks at Jake, "Not exactly, our children's age last till they are 42 years old. Adult age last till 100 years old and elder age last till death, which is about 260 years old. I lived to be 330 years old."

Jake responds "So in human you were 165 year old?"

"No 360 year, I meant in Human years, in Minbari I lived to be 660 years old."

Jake is amazed, "How?"

"I can only guess that it is due to being hybrid, I really did not begin to show my age till I was 250 years old in Human terms."

A Minbari comes in to give Delenn a urgent message, "Sati-Entil'za Delenn?" I have a message. The Minbari gives the letter to Delenn

"Thank you." Says Delenn to the messenger, The Minbari leaves and Delenn opens the letter to read it:

Entil'za Delenn,

RE: Grey Council

Delenn come to the landing bay alone.

It is urgent to have your presence now.

Delenn takes a deep breath, closes the letter and looks at Jake and Bri. "I have been summoned to the council for awhile—I need you to stay here for the time being and try not to talk to anyone—or best just don't leave—I have a feeling it is all about the new comers."

Jake looks at Bri then at Delenn, "You mean we are not the only ones?"

Delenn nods, "Yes, we've counted over 50 new Human's here." A Minbari dressed in white comes to escort Delenn to the shuttle.

As Delenn leaves Bri and Jake's sight they are alone and worried again, "Well Jake?"

Jake looks at Bri, "Yes Bri?"

Bri looks at the empty house, "What should we do?"

Jake is still trying to get this reality through his head. "I don't know—ah possibly sing?"

Bri looks quickly at Jake, annoyed at his proposal. "Sing—are you sure Jake?"

Jake looks at Bri and smirks sheepishly. "Come on, you're a great singer Bri—I've just never ever heard you."

Bri thinks to himself. "Well the last song I listened to on the day I died at Mount Saint Helens, it was called ironically Mount Saint Helens by Mirah—now I wont sing it, but will state the world to a melody."

Jake looking around the house, "Well okay, go ahead." As Bri sings the song, Jake looks about the living quarters. Jake just stood there thinking about the words. "How true, we can never go back home again!"

Bri looks at Jake, "It's your turn Jake."

Jake looks down at the floor, "Oh I don't know any songs."

Bri thinks for a second, "Well what the one of the Model of a Modern Major General?"

Jake looks at Bri, "That one is hard!"

"Well just try!"

Jake at first does not want to, but subsumes. "Well—okay—I will try:" And Jake stumbles over the words as he sings the old tune.

Bri is quite for a second "Well that was quite entertaining Jake!"

"Why thank you Bri."

Jake goes to the doorway that leads outside to the streets of Minbar, Bri follows. "We were told to stay here!"

Jake shakes his head, "Not exactly, we were told to stay here for the time being and not to talk top anyone."

Jake leaves the building and Bri follows. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know."

"I don't think this is a smart idea Jake."

Jake turns around quickly to face Bri, "Listen, you may believe all that Delenn says, but concerning to my point of view we are trapped on this planet and things are getting stranger around here. I did not want to be copped up in this building for possibly the rest of my life—I served that time at Children's—I want to explore." Jake bumps into a young girl about age 14. as Jake turns around he and the girl trip over one another and fall to the ground. As Bri rushes to help the girl and Jake up they decide to talk to one another "I am so sorry."

The girl brushes herself off, "That's all right, I was not watching where I was going," Offering her hand to Jake. "My name is Kelsey."

"My name is Jake."

"It is nice to meet you Jake, and you are?" Looking at Bri.

"Bri, but you can call me Fearless Leader."

Kelsey looks at Jake, "Okay?—if you don't mind me saying, you're actually the first Human's I've seen since I have died."

Jake looks at Kelsey confused. "Died?"

"Yes, I know it sounds strange."

Jake shakes his head, "Oh no, don't explain."

Turning to Bri—even Bri is interested. "What year?"

"1945, why are you so concern if I may ask Fearless Leader?"

Bri pauses for a second, he has never been addressed as Fearless Leader, "Well Jake and I don't actually belong here, we died on Earth."

"When?"

Bri talks first, "I died on November 6th 2011 at Mount Saint Helens; I was only 12 years old."

Jake follows with the conversation, "And I passed away on July 7th 2010 and I also was 12 years old—I died in a hospital."

Kelsey, who finds herself more calm talking to Jake keeps the questions going. "From what?"

Jake looks at Bri, "I will go first Jake—I died from CFTR with respiratory arrest."

Jake looks at Kelsey, "And I died from CF; I guess I drowned to death. How about you, you know all about us."

"Well as I stated I died on March 20th 1945 in the Northern Mountain Range of Switzerland."

Bri can't see Switzerland being a place you could die at. "How?"

Kelsey's complexion changes, the memory is harsh. "Starvation, cold, and illness I guess, I was 14 years old when my family was removed from Western Germany by the Gestapo and placed in a retention camp to be excommunicated from all Germany…I still remember the name of my captor—SS Bisenbach."

Jake looks at Bri, "Bisenbach, sounds close to Bitzenbach!"

Bri nods, "They might be the same!"

Kelsey continues, "Well who ever it was the fact is that the Nazis are gone!"

Bri does not know how to tell her the bad news. "Actually not, the Neo-Nazis remain in America; they are called the Nazi Low Riders."

Kelsey looks confused and alarmed. "Neo-Nazis?"

Bri nods, "New-Order, they came to American at different times in the early 30s to the late 40s. After the war many of the Nazis fled to New York, United States to hid from their execution based on war crimes—no Kelsey the second world war never ended it just got out of control and went into hiding in a little small town called Pendleton, Oregon."

Kelsey looks at Bri with thanks, "Well thanks for warning me."

Bri accepts the thanks, "No worries Kelsey, the Neo-Nazis are very far away from where we are—about 22 light years away."

"How do you know that?"

Bri looks around at the crystal city. "Well if this place is like the movie series Babylon 5 then this planet is named Minbar, which is roughly 22 light years away from Earth." Jake looks at Bri, "Well as I found out, Caption John J. Sheridan is dead which means the station is and has been destroyed—decommissioned. And further as I know it Delenn is no longer president of the Interstellar Alliance, this has gone to her friend Susan." Kelsey looks lost—she has no knowledge of what Bri is saying.

Kelsey interrupts Bri, "I'm sorry you guys, but I am lost in your conversation, what is this Babylon 5?"

Bri remembers that Kelsey's life period, which only extends to 1945. "I'm sorry Kelsey I forgot that you have lived in the 40s. Babylon 5 was made in 1992-1993 to 1996 to 1997 and released in 1997. The first movie 'In The Beginning' was released in movie theaters. It was a big hit to the public and the credits went further to the first of five seasons. In 2258 the first season began and the station received its five major ambassadors. Of Vorlon it was Ambassador Kosh. Of Centauri it was Ambassador Mollari. Of Narn it was Ambassador G'kar. Of Minbar it was Ambassador Delenn. And of Earth it was Ambassador/Commander Sinclair. The Minbari really did not like Sinclair, but they knew he was important. With the Narn and Centauri at war with one another Earth was beginning to fall into the shadows with the murder of President Santiago. The Shadow spy, Mr. Morden began to ask every Ambassador what they wanted and all failed to favor Morden except Londo Mollari, ambassador to Centauri. At the end of 2258, Ambassador Delenn entered a cocoon, the president of Earth was dead, Mr. Garibaldi was in a coma and Commander Sinclair was sent to Minbar and John J. Sheridan became Captain of Babylon 5. In the second season of Babylon 5 it was now 2259. Garibaldi was brought out of coma with the alien healing device and Ambassador Delenn just emerged out of her cocoon as a half-Human half-Minbari hybrid. The last major event was the beginning of the Shadow War. The Centauri were being aided in the campaign with the Narns. The third season began in 2260 it was known as the year of the Shadow. Mr. Morden and the Shadow's murdered the Vorlon Ambassador Kosh, and a new Vorlon Ambassador also named Kosh would replace him. The Whitestar Fleet was created and the alliance of races began. At the end of 2260 a big surprise would come literally from the Shadow's—just before the Babylon 5 station was opened to the public, John J. Sheridan's wife Anna Sheridan went to a dead world called Z'ha'dum with a crew of about 139. Some of the crewmembers names were Dr. Chang, Petrovich, Standish, Favorito, Razor, Scott, Donne, Hidalgo, Churlstein, and Morden."

Jake looks at Bri, "You mean as in Mr. Morden?"

"Yep, same face, same name, and different personality—you see the Shadow's take on no allies and if they did take on species they destroy their soul and implant wires throughout their bodies. Well the big surprise was the coming of John Sheridan's dead wife Anna Sheridan who took John Sheridan back to Z'ha'dum where he died. The forth season began in 2261 and it began when Delenn, Susan, Lennier, and Lyta went to Z'ha'dum to find Sheridan, but all they found was a dead planet with a gapping scar where there major city was once, but were found by the Eye. As it called them by name in the voice of their fathers the Whitestar turned around and left Z'ha'dum to return back to Babylon 5. As Delenn grieved for Sheridan's death she too was dying from starvation because it is customary for Minbari to fast without food or water for at least three weeks, it sustained for the first week and a half, but to her Human body she was dying. As the alliance was breaking Sheridan came back from Z'ha'dum with Lorien and regrouped the alliance. As for G'kar, he was in the hands of a mad Centauri emperor who wants to torture G'kar till it kills him. As for the Vorlon's they began to wipe out entire races with their planet killer and the only way to make an attack is if Ulkesh Kosh—the other Vorlon—had to be killed. The following day the Shadow's responded back to the Vorlon's with their Shadow Cloud or best known as the Death Cloud. It turns live planets like Z'ha'dum once into unlivable hostile dead worlds—pure model of revenge. As all the battles met in one sector the last days of the Shadow and Vorlon War was over and the First Ones went beyond the Rim to where we're now I suppose…well anyway, after the Vorlon's and Shadow's left known space, the Narns were freed from the Centauri and a twisted man named Bester made Sheridan and Delenn go to Z'ha'dum to lute the planet of technology, but as they arrived the dead world exploded in a giant fireball and the legion of the Shadow's was gone, but their masters and allies hid. The next conflict was the Earth War and by the end of 2261 Earth would be liberated from the President and Nightwatch, but John J. Sheridan lost the title of caption, but inherited the title President of the newly formed Interstellar Alliance. In season 5, Caption Lockley became in charge of Babylon 5, Garibaldi left Babylon 5 to become the second richest man on Mars and John and Delenn were finally married—the first interbreeding of two alien species. As the telepaths went to war with the normals it met with terrible outcomes with a tragedy of telepaths, but just as the Telepath War ended the Centauri War begun against all races. As Centauri Prime burned it became evident that the new emperor to the Centaurem would be Londo Mollari, but the new enemy appeared to be like the Shadow's—they are called the Drakh, a scaly creature that can control you. They put a device called a Keeper on Londo Mollari and on David Sheridan, the son of Delenn and John Sheridan—the Drakh's name was Shiv'kala. By this time John J. Sheridan only had two more years to live and by David Sheridan's 18th birthday Entil'za John J. Sheridan died and went beyond the Rim. Delenn refused the title of president and gave it to Susan, but was stuck with Entil'za's title. The last thing of this story I know is that Babylon 5 has been decommissioned."

Jake looks at Bri, "Is that all—is there any thing else Bri?"

Bri looks at Kelsey, "Well yes, one last story, after the television show Babylon 5, one movie and two trilogies came out in order, the movie explained that a greater darkness was released from a place of eternal darkness, but they speak of two darkness's, we only learn one of them, they're called the Hand and the servant referred the Shadow's as Children and also as bugs. As for the Drakh they lost Centauri Prime and became a space-bearing race. They were going to use a Shadow Cloud to destroy Earth, but two hybrid ships stopped the Death Cloud, but the bad news is that they released a plague, two years before Sheridan died, so as I can guess—Earth is a dead planet considered by outsiders because they will find a cure—destroy all technology on Earth. As for David Sheridan he is a Ranger and to be soon placed in the supervision of the Grey Council. On other terms we also have new problems called technomages and the staggering numbers of hybrids."

Kelsey looks at Bri, confused, "Hybrids, as in what?"

"As in all species Kelsey—they could never find the one who possibly created them, but there was also another problem."

Jake replies, "What?"

Bri takes in a deep breath, "The hybrids don't belong in that time, so say it was a rip in time…what if we 50 are this hybrid invasion?"

Jake thinks it is a rhetorical statement, "Don't be crazy, if we were we would be watched."

Kelsey replies, "Who says we aren't?" Looking to the left where a black robed individual sits looking at the three Human's, "There is a man to your left who has been watching us—I don't think we are alone!"

Jake speaks softly, "Well let's walk and see if he follows?"

David, Kelsey, and Jake begin walking and the robed man begins to follow. Kelsey looks behind, "He's following!"

Jake replies, "I know—what do we do Bri?"

Bri does not even stop to think, "We will split up, one takes the left alley the other takes the right alley, I will take the middle and the one, he selects we will then ambush him—so if you are followed keep some safe distance." The three break up and the robed individual does not know which way to go so he goes after Kelsey who chose the right alley. As Kelsey looked back she saw that the black robed individual was close to her. As Bri looked back there was no black robed individual behind him so he takes an alley that heads to the center road to see if Jake is all right. When Bri saw Jake alone and when Jake saw Bri alone they knew Kelsey was in trouble so Jake takes an alley that goes to the right alley. As Bri sees Kelsey coming he also sees the black robed individual. As Jake comes out of the alley he is behind the black robed individual and as Kelsey comes closer to Bri, Bri comes out to join Kelsey. When the black robed individual sees Bri he turns around and sees Jake. As the black robed individual stops he thinks 'now what do I do?' "Who are you, and why are you following us?" The black robed individual says nothing; he just stands there quiet. "Answer the question, what do you want?"

The black robed individual turns and looks at Bri who asked the question. "What do I want extorts the boy—funny, but that question was always first on my list, so I must always ask the one question to serve Shadow's…what do you want?"

Bri thinks quickly and replies back. "Who are you?"

The black robed individual turns back to Bri who started the questioning. "Who are you, whom are a stranger to light by standing by darkness…the one question that can never truly be explained!"

Jake looks at Bri are mouths 'huh?' "So who are you?"

"Well if you want to know my name it is Morden—that's Mr. Morden to you."

The individual lifts off his hood to expose the face of Mr. Morden, the dreaded servant of the Shadow's. As Bri, Kelsey, and Jake see him they step back in fear that he may be surrounded by Shadow's. Mr. Morden—not one least bit surprised of their reaction gathers strength to laugh. Bri can't see what is so funny. "What's so funny?"

"Your fear of me."

Jake responds, "You are a servant of the Shadow's?"

His smile turns to a frown as he thinks back to that time back on Z'ha'dum. "Oh yes, that…"He smiles back at Bri and Kelsey "consider myself as a Shadow of my formal self."

Bri questions Mr. Morden, "How can you be here, if controlled by the Shadow's your soul is destroyed!"

Mr. Morden nods slightly, "Well yes that is only true if you were inserted into a Shadow vessel, I was never placed into one of those devices so I was spared the lost of my soul, but back in that time a new programming made me into Mr. Morden—the Morden you recall."

Kelsey wondering how he died. "How did you die?"

"Well I suppose during my time of servitude I must of lost my head somewhat in-between?"

Bri looks at Kelsey. "His head was cut off as a gift to Vir Cotto."

Mr. Morden thinks of the name, "Vir Cotto? Oh yes the wimpy Centauri to be emperor—who would have known?"

As Jake thinks, he remembers that Morden has not answer a question. "If I may ask, why were you following us?"

"Us, no not us, only Kelsey at the time being—when I woke up on Minbar so did Kelsey, she appeared in a white robe and I appeared in a black robe that I still am wearing."

Bri looks at Kelsey, "Is this true Kelsey?"

Kelsey nods, "Yes, when I awoke on this planet I was dressed in a white robe. I remember seeing a person in a black robe moving, but I was scared of him thinking he was the Gestapo because they usually wore black robes to hide their identities."

Jake grills Mr. Morden once again. "But you still did not answer why?"

"To know the one question—why are we here and unchanged since death?"

It is the single question that puzzles all 4 of them, Bri answers back, "We don't know why either Mr. Morden."

Mr. Morden smiles, "Well—I see, I guess we are in the same boat."

Mr. Morden, Kelsey, Jake, and Bri keep on walking down the alley going somewhere. "So where did you guys come from?"

Kelsey begins her statement, "I was born on Earth like most of you, but I was born in 1931 in Switzerland and died in 1945 at the age 14 in a Nazi death camp."

Bri begins his statement, "I was born in 1999 in Washington and died in 2011 at the age 12 from cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator or short for CFTR."

Jake begins his statement, "I was born in 1998 in Idaho and that year was sent to Children's where I died in 2010 from cystic fibrosis."

Mr. Morden's humorous complexion goes away back to his normal complexion. "I am truly sorry for all of you—never got to feel the real power of life."

As they keep on walking the buildings change in color tone from light color to dark colors it is a warning to visitors that they are entering the city of the Star Riders Clan of the warrior caste. As Kelsey, Jake, Bri, and Morden keep on talking they are stopped by a group of twelve plus one leader who was robed and hooded-the other twelve not, well armored in plates on metal and mostly dressed in black clothing except the leader who wore clothing similar to that of the Grey Council. As Bri, Jake, Kelsey, and Morden stop in front of the thirteenth, the leader in a strong harsh voice began the conversation. "What is your business and who are you?"

Kelsey responds, "You speak the words of the Vorlon, and demand respect like a Nazi! In other term to the darkness that are you, and what do you want?"

The hooded leader walks slowly towards Kelsey. "You speak foolishly—do you know who I am?"

Bri thinks of the voice and knows the person, "You are of the Star Rider Clan!"

The leader goes to Bri, "And what makes you state this?"

"You are Sati Elite Neroon."

The hooded figure brings out his pike and barely misses Bri's face with the pike. "You don't frighten well child, only a few don't flinch to the dembow'shak. The skills of a true warrior." The hooded individual unhoods himself to expose his face, "I am Neroon of the Star Rider Clan and your name child?"

"My name is Bri."

Neroon looks at the others of his fellowship. "And your friend's names?"

"Jake, Kelsey, and Mr. Morden."

Neroon walks at the once Shadow character. "Mr. Morden, of the dead world Z'ha'dum?"

The twelve look fearful. Mr. Morden knows he could be in a world of trouble if he admits to the claim, "Yes I am Morden the once servant of the Shadow's.

The twelve Minbari run away leaving Neroon alone, "Get back here!"

The twelve are gone, Bri replies. "We pose no threat to you Neroon!"

Neroon thinks for awhile and wonders where he have heard these tones of words, then remember only one who did not fear him—Delenn. "Bri you speak and have a voice like a Minbari."

Bri interrupts Neroon, "Strange, that's what Delenn also said."

Neroon turning his attention to Morden, "And you still serve the Shadow's?"

Mr. Morden shakes his head with that creepy smile. "Not anymore, I am free of them."

Neroon looking at Bri, Jake, Kelsey, and Morden, "I need to take you to the Grey Council."

Jake responds quickly, "But we don't want to go to the Grey Council Neroon."

Neroon replies, "It is the most importance that you go through orientation to get use to Minbari life and because you Bri stood up to me and did not coward to my interrogation skills it would be dishonorable if you said no to one of the elders of the Grey Council."

Bri looks back to Kelsey, Jake, and Morden who stand behind him in looks at them in a way saying 'what do we do now?' "Okay I will go, if the others want to follow it will be up to them."

Jake goes to Bri's side, "I stay with my friend."

Kelsey walks forward, "I have no friends, so I stay with those I trust."

Mr. Morden looks to Neroon, "I guess we all will be going into the fire, and what the hell I always wanted to meet the Grey Council."

Mr. Morden, Bri, Jake, and Kelsey follow Neroon to his house, which looks like a giant glass building. As Neroon hands Kelsey, Jake, and Morden black robes he gives a white robe to Bri. "You will wear these robes." Neroon dresses Jake as an example and leaves his hood half open so he can see his face. "Copy Jake and you will be fine." Neroon looks at Bri. "You will wear the white robe because you have proven yourself important to the Warrior Caste. You will wear the patch of the Star Rider Clan on your left side because you are not of our caste, but have stood up to me so I must honor you. The last thing you will do is covering your face as a sign of respect to yourself. If you get called on remove your hood and you are able to look to them in the eye. As for you Jake, Kelsey, and Morden, you are to remove your hoods and only speak if first spoke to with your eyes faced downward. Now come we will board the shuttle."

At the Grey Council Delenn enters the circle. "The nine is missing one I see."

The leader speaks, "Yes Neroon is out, but is returning to address the council in a few minutes."

Delenn nods, "I received the message about reign of rulers?"

The leader answers. "Yes, you remember Asron?"

Delenn's face flushes out as she looks at the ground with the frighten memory of the hellish like creature. "Yes I have dealt with him once in the past."

The leader continues, "Well he is back and is gathering strength at K'ha'dum."

A younger Minbari female removes her hood and looks at Delenn. "I am sorry to interrupt honored council, but who is Asron and what is K'ha'dum?"

Delenn looks at the young Religious Caste member, "Asron was the leader of the Soldiers of Darkness on a dead world named K'ha'dum. He lived in a black rock city named Khazad'dum, the place where we defeated him on a bridge called Forth Eorlingas, which lead up to a tower of Morgul. The landscape is surrounded in fire of lava and ash."

The young Minbari is not well fluent in geology. "What is lava and ash?"

A voice in the darkness speaks startling the eight plus Delenn. "Lava is a liquid rock made up of the surrounding magma center and ash is a particle of rock that has been crushed and mixed with other rock, organic matter, gas and water vapor."

The voice is from a young male dressed in white followed by three other Humans and Neroon. The leader looks at Neroon. "Well it is good that you are back Neroon, but who is the one in white and the ones in black?"

Bri removes the hood to expose his face. Delenn slowly moves to Bri and Jake's position to defend them. "My name is Bri of Earth; I am part of the 50 on this planet sir."

The leader is furious that Neroon brought the Prophecy here. "Explain Neroon!"

Delenn interrupts, and Neroon is surprised to learn this. "They are with me leader, I told them to stay at my home, but I ask why they wear the Star Riders symbol?"

Neroon answers, "They are now under the jurisdiction of the Star Riders Clan of the elite Warrior Caste."

Delenn walks up to Neroon angrily. "I don't think so, I demand that you at least remove the Star Riders symbol from Bri; he is under the Children of Valenra of the Religious Caste."

David is upset and figures to take care of this in his own way. The argument gets more intense when the other eight of the Grey Council tries to decide whom Bri and the other three go to. As the argument becomes intense Bri removes the outfit and throws it to the ground. The only one not truly arguing is the leader of the Grey Council who watches Bri perform this dishonorable act against the Warrior Caste. As Bri yells out loud it echoes in the chamber. "Enough, I will be the ultimate decider to my destiny—no caste can justify this!"

The ultimate leader of the Grey Council looks at the white outfit and then at the young Human child who stands in front of him. The Warrior Caste, now all unhooded like the rest of the council members looks at the honor that was bestowed on the child and now where it laid—on the floor, they are all in shock. The leader walks slowly to the outfit and Bri. "Of the years I lead this council I never let anyone make a decision for themselves except for one, one who could bring this council to its knees in fear, one who also denied honor and power and she stands behind me." As suggested to Delenn. The Minbari leader walks up to Bri to make the over all judgment. "I have looked into all the 50's cases to see what caste they should be placed in and I believe I now have decided yours Bri." The leader walks around Bri with his staff. Bri watches the instrument attached on the top in fear of it—the triluminary. "When you enter in here you showed me that you are not afraid to speak your mind when it comes to knowledge, when we all argued over where you belonged you destroyed all respect this council could have for you and personally went against me-most would not, and when I see you personally dressed in the robes you remind me of Sati Delenn and her son David Sheridan, so I looked at all possible chances that you could have connections to the Children of Valen and I traced the alteration on Earth beginning with you, the disease you call CFTR was actually your beginning of your transformation, you just did not survive because the Minbari gene disrupted chromosome 13 PHF11 which created the CFTR, we traced this to a point of cause which was caused by a chemical added to your blood stream called pseudohypertrophic which caused the muscles to break down. If you had survived you would have made the Minbari gene possibly Earth's newest alteration and the Human race we knew in 2247 would somewhat look like Delenn if you had survived. Now that your CFTR is a dead disease an your life rate believing to extend beyond age 12, by age 16 you would reach your full climax of your transformation and be present as a full Human-Minbari hybrid—there is only one way to check this. Because of Delenn's use of a triluminary, which is based on Vorlon technology, you would have some Vorlon technology in your genetic makeup, which all ties to the creation of the three triluminaries. Now you could know the truth with a simple test, or you can wait?"

Bri looks at the device, "And these devices are 100 accurate?"

"In detection of Vorlon technology—yes."

Bri nods, "Well I would like to know, but you must promise that is all that device will be used for!"

The leader nods, "I promise, do you want to go through the scan?"

Bri hesitates for a second, "Sure."

The leader takes off the triluminary and holds it by the three corners. "Please extend your hand with your palm facing straight upward."

Bri holds back, "One question?"

The leader looks at Bri, "Go ahead Bri."

"What if it does not show that I am alien?"

The leader looks at Bri awkwardly, "Alien—well I guess then I was wrong and it will be up to the digression of the council to decide what caste you go in."

Bri looks at the leader, "And if it says I am alien?"

The leader ponders for a second... "Well then I will have to sign you over to Sati Delenn and to the Religious Caste, and wish you the best of health on Minbar."

Bri looks at the floor, "Okay, that is all I wanted to know."

Bri places out his hand with his palm faced upward, as the leader slowly places the triluminary near Bri's hand it is silent in the Great Chamber. As the triluminary enters into scanning range the fear of knowing whelms up in almost all in that chamber. As Bri is told to touch it, Bri slowly presses his fingers closer to the triluminary fearing it may hurt him, as his fingers brush against the scaly organic chip in the middle of the triluminary Bri feels a slight tingling feeling in his fingers which seems to spread throughout his body, as he looks at the triluminary he sees a form of light and with seeing this Bri pulls his hand away and the light vanishes. As the nine, Delenn, Morden, Jake, and Kelsey saw what just happened they are surprised. As the leader touches Bri on the shoulder, Bri quivers due to the energy still in his body. When the leader feels the energy shock his hand he pulls away his hand and smiles knowing he was right. Bri looks at the leader, "Well now what happens?"

The leader puts the triluminary on the staff and looks at the council, "Well I will need you and the other three to leave; the council needs to plot your living status here on Minbar."

Bri, Kelsey, Jake, and Morden leave. Delenn and Neroon join the eight to begin the planning. Neroon looks at the leader. "You were right leader, he is Minbari—it's hard to believe!"

The leader nods, "Yes it may seem, I guess the 50's mystery is now being solved? "

Delenn agrees, "Maybe, but it is a start."

Neroon talks, "So what do we do with Bri?"

The leader looks at Delenn, "Well he is now Delenn's responsibility; do you Delenn or anyone disagree?" There is silence, "Well with that settled, Delenn you are to raise him till you decide to let him go. You have permission to aloud him to take part in all Minbari schooling and events; do any of these objectives go against you Delenn?"

Delenn smiles and lowers her eyes, "No leader."

The leader smiles, "Good, are there any questions?"

Delenn looks up and answers. "Yes one, do I have the permission to teach Bri and enroll Bri in ambassadorial services?"

The leader looks at Neroon, Neroon nods, but Delenn does not see it. "He may be enrolled only if he completes all the rituals of Minbari adolescence. Now about the other three? First Jake, I surveyed his past and think that he too would be best placed in the Religious Caste, do I have a second?" One of the Religious Caste Grey Council members raises his hand to signal the second, "So let it be—Jake will be officially enrolled as a Religious Caste member. Second is the girl Kelsey, she was a farmer back on Earth until a radical group of Human's began something called the Holocaust, I believe she would be best placed as a Worker Caste member—mostly in the fields of horticulture—do I have a second?" One of the Warrior Caste members raises his hand. "So let it be—Kelsey will be officially enrolled as a Worker Caste member. And last is the Shadow Aide, Mr. Morden—I believe it would be best if he is not placed in any caste, but be a ally to the Warrior Caste, do the Warrior Caste agree to this request?"

Neroon steps forward, "When I lived in first life, I heard about a dark servant prowling on the Babylon 5 station by the name of Mr. Morden whom gave anything you desired. I sought to one day meet him and as a duty to the Star Riders Clan kill him as him people had killed many of mine, but this Mr. Morden does not share that same past as the Shadow aide, so I will personally except him because he still obtains the knowledge from the Shadow's, but is willing to hopefully use it for good, so I will except him as only a associate to the Star Riders Clan, that is my terms leader."

The leader nods with agreement. "Sounds good to me, so let it be—the Warrior Caste will cover Mr. Morden's personal needs as long as he is useful to the Warrior Caste own needs." As the leader looks at Delenn then Neroon. "Now lets talk about housing for Jake, Morden, and Kelsey."

Outside of the Great Chamber in the Great Hall Bri is worried sick, and Jake is worried he may never see Bri again. Kelsey, who worries for Jake is a little wiry of Bri and Mr. Morden keeps his distance. With this restriction against Bri, Bri feels that his bond with the other three is breaking. "Is there a problem, I see a reversal magnetic effect going on!"

Jake answers Bri's worries, "You should understand Bri; we don't know what that thing you touched did to you? When the leader touched you he was shocked!"

Bri looks at Jake. "But we are still friends—right?"

Jake smiles and nods, "Of course Bri, but those Minbari are trying to break us up, my best decision is that we leave this place now!

Morden interrupts, "I agree, the last time I was told to make a decision it killed me!"

Kelsey follows in the same hush quiet tone like Morden. "The Minbari will keep you locked up under lock and key and that we viewed this we will disappear and will be probed with that triangle."

Jake concludes, "Lets leave this place Bri, we had to live our lives indoors in our past, lets not let this happen again!"

Bri thinks about the time he had to spend at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, "Your all right, I don't trust the Minbari, they are power hungry—I will not be used as a pawn—lets leave!"

Kelsey, Jake, Morden, and Bri exit the Great Hall to outside. As they look around they are on a large rock about 2000 feet above Tuzanor. The only visible way off this rock is by shuttle, but none of them can operate it, so they decide to try to descend down the rocky wall, which is at about a 20-degree angle so it is possible. As the four begin there descend it is like climbing down from a rocky mountain pass in the North Cascades, there are large crystal boulders with trees doted here and there. There is less to no loose sediment, which is a good thing. As they enter the cloud bank the crystal becomes slippery and as Kelsey steps on a crystal slab she slips, but as she stumbles forward Bri grabs her by the arm and with the sudden movement the energy surges from Bri and Kelsey and the static shock knocks them out for awhile. As Morden wakes up Bri and Jake wakes up Kelsey the energy discharges on them and it is enough to throw all four in opposite directions for about five feet. Thanking God that the land here flattens out, the four look at one another in shock. As the four gets up they all agree not to touch one another. As they come out of the cloudbank they see Tuzanor and a sign on the path that has been knocked over. As Kelsey picks it up it says in bold lettering in Minbari and English:

! Warning !

You are entering a high electrical area.

Use extreme awareness of environment.

With seeing this sign it makes since why they all were electrocuted, but what scared Kelsey is that she felt a strange since of energy go through her and her hands are still tingling. As the slope decreases into steady hills they had descended down about 2000 feet to the out-skirts of the old city of Tuzanor.

As the plan is finished in the Great Chamber, Neroon goes to get Bri. As Neroon goes into the Great Hall there is no one there, as Neroon runs down the hall yelling out Bri's name, he can't find none of the four Human's. As Neroon runs to the shuttle bay area he goes to the captain. "Captain!"

The captain stands up straight and looks down to the glass floor. "Have you've seen four Human's?"

Quickly the captain speaks, "No Sati."

Neroon turns around and goes back indoors. As he enters the Great Chamber Delenn does not see Bri and is worried. "Where is Bri, my son?"

Neroon is out of breath, and lowers his eyes in shame. "I'm sorry Delenn, but I can't find Bri or the other three, I went to the shuttle bay to see if they tried to leave and the captain never saw them so they must still be here in the building?"

The leader thinks to himself, "Or they left?"

Neroon looks at the leader, "Left-how?"

The leader, turns to exit the chambers. "Follow me" The leader leads them out of the building and to the steep trail, "they could have gone down this trail."

Delenn looks down the steep trail to the clouds and to Tuzanor. "In Valen's name, what were they thinking?"

Neroon looks to the leader, "How easy is it to use this trail to leave the Grey Council Complex?"

The leader shakes his head. "Almost impossible, it is a 2000-foot descent and at the 1000 foot mark the ground makes the entire area electric—you can't touch any organic material."

Neroon looks down the hill, "What is the chance they made in uninjured?"

The leader looks at Delenn, "About 20."

Delenn looks at the leader and Neroon. "I am going down there—if my son is hurt he will need help!"

Neroon looks at Delenn, "Your crazy Delenn" Neroon looks at Delenn, "but I will go with you."

"And so will I." Says the leader.

The young Religious caste member also speaks, it is shocking to the others. "Count me in, Bri was kind to tell me about lava and ash so I will pay off this debt!" The other five also decide to follow to save face.

As Bri looks at the city Morden ask where they are. "Where are we?"

Bri looks at the houses, "Tuzanor, the oldest city on Minbar, the birthplace of the Grey Council," Looking up the hill to the Grey Council Complex, "ironic isn't it?"

Mr. Morden smirks that creepy smirk, "Yes, indeed!"

Jake goes to Kelsey who has been scratching her hands. "Are you all right Kelsey?"

Kelsey looks at Jake, "Oh Jake, how are you?" As she places her hands in her pocket.

Jake looks at the arm she was scratching. "What's wrong with your hands?"

Kelsey extorts quickly. "Nothing!"

Jake takes her arm and pulls her hand out to expose her hand with what looks like a bad case of eczema. "You have a rash!"

Bri and Morden look at Kelsey and at her hand to see that her hand is a blotchy red, sort of like the eczema that was once on Bri's feet. "That is new!" Says Bri.

Kelsey nods, "I know, I must be allergic to something?

Bri looks at the rash...it looks angry. "We should get her to a doctor!"

Jake nods, "I agree Bri!"

Kelsey looks at Jake, "I don't need a doctor!"

Jake looks at Kelsey's hand. "Kelsey, I have seen allergic reactions, remember both Bri and I once lived most of our lives in a hospital, and this looks like it is getting worse!"

As Delenn, and the other nine enter the cloud, the leader speaks to them. "Whatever you do don't touch one another!"

Delenn sees no vegetation, "Where's all the vegetation?"

The leader looks back at Delenn, but stops. "Dead, the air is full of electrodes, plants can't grow here, it is because of the crystal rocks—so be careful!"

As they move through the mist following the path they notice that the ground has been horribly disturbed here, as if something had fought hard here. Neroon sees the scuffling, "Look! I see, the ground is broken, four impact sites with two on the trail."

The young Minbar looks at the broken ground. "What happened here?"

Neroon looking at the surroundings and sees a stone which has been scuffed. "Here, someone slipped on this rock and someone grabbed that person, the energy threw them to the two sites on the trail, then the other two go to help them up at the same time and all are electrocuted."

The young Minbari looks surprised at Neroon. "Could that happen?"

Neroon looks at the ground. "Well it looks like it did!"

Continuing down the hill out of the mist, the leader notices that the sign is standing up and the words are facing them. "That sign was knocked over!"

Delenn questions the leader. "How do you know that?"

The leader looks back at the group to expose the truth of becoming the leader. "Well when you become leader and know nothing about the cloud you would be electrocuted too when you slip and grab a tree."

Neroon chuckles, "You mean you knocked over the sign?"

The leader nods, "Yes, and now it is standing upright facing us." Neroon is roaring in laughter.

Delenn looks at the sign, "What a great place for a sign!"

The young Minbari looks at the leader. "Why was their no sign coming down the hill?"

The leader looks at the young Minbari, "In Minbari history no Minbari has ever trekked down the hill, you learn to fear this trail because the new leaders never know what to expect."

Neroon picks up the sign to read it, "Warning, you are entering a high electrical area, use extreme awareness of environment—I wonder how many leaders wish they had heeded the warning?" Smirking at the leader.

The leader smiles, "Many sad to say including me." As the steep hill turns into rolling hills they enter the out-skirts of Tuzanor.

As Bri, Jake, Kelsey, and Morden finally find a hospital Bri call for a doctor. "We need help for my friend."

A young Minbari female meets them, "My name is Healer Shela, who needs help?"

Bri looks back at Kelsey, "My friend Kelsey, she has a bad allergic reaction."

The Healer Shela looks at Kelsey's hand and is confused at the configuration of the rash. "This is a strange rash come with me."

Kelsey is taken to a room, but Jake, Bri, and Morden are told to stay behind. As Kelsey is told to sit in the room Healer Shela calls three other healers to check out Morden, Jake, and Bri. "Morden, Jake, and Bri?"

"Yes?" replies Jake.

"Here." Replies Morden. Bri says nothing but looks at Healer Shela.

Healer Shela looks at them and then looks at Isenla, and Delna, and Kala. "Isenla, Delna, and Kala are going to check you out for injuries, and place you into the database."

Bri responds, "I need no help!"

Healer Shela replies, "It is required that you have a checkup unless if you have card that shows you have been checked up?"

None of the three talk. Isenla looks at Morden. "Mr. Morden?"

Mr. Morden looks at the young Minbar, "Yes, that would be me."

Isenla smiles, "Please follow me." Mr. Morden gets up and follows Isenla to the back of the building.

Kala looks at Jake. "Jake?" Jake stands up from his sitting position and walks to Kala, "My name is Kala; I will be your healer."

Jake looks back to Bri with a worried look on his face; Delna walks to Bri's side. "And you must be Bri?"

Bri nods strictly, "This would be me."

Delna says strongly. "Please follow me Bri." Bri does not move, but just stands alone in the waiting room. Delna looks at Bri and speaks slowly. "Please come Bri, it will not hurt you."

Bri slowly takes two steps, but stops in memory. "You must understand—I spent most of my life in a hospital I wish not to let this happen ever again."

Delna thinks about why Bri may fear hospitals and healers because he spent most of his life in a hospital. As it dawns on Delna she goes over to the young 12 year old child and takes him by the hand softly and looks to him with a smile. "Don't worry, all I need to do is to address your wounds and check you up." Bri nods his head slowly in agreement and goes with Delna to the back room.

As Delenn and the nine enter into Tuzanor many of the Minbari are shocked to see the Grey Council, not since 1287 have ever seen the Grey Council walk together in the public's eye. As Delenn goes to a house, the Grey Council enters. Inside is one of Delenn's closes friends, a Minbari female, about her age, whom is skilled with the gift of song and poetry. As she sees the Grey Council she bows her head in respect. "My friend Sati Delenn what honor do I have to be met by the Grey Council?"

Delenn walks over and raises her face to meet eye to eye. "I need your help old friend, four Human's with a great deal of interest have escaped down from the Grey Council Complex and have made it into Tuzanor, and one of them is one of my children."

Delenn's friend replies, "The 50?"

Delenn is surprised. "You've heard?"

Delenn's friend nods. "Almost all now know about the 50, some say that the Shadow's servant Mr. Morden is among the 50."

Delenn nods, "It is true; Mr. Morden is here in Tuzanor with my son." Delenn's friends face darkens with the fear of Mr. Morden. "Don't worry, I feel no Shadow's presence, the sign did not appear on my forehead—he is free of the ancient darkness."

"I will put the call out Delenn; you are free to stay here for as long as you need Delenn…honored guest."

Bowing to the Grey Council, and they bow back as a sign of respect. "Thank you my dearest friend."

As Delna looks at Bri's DNA sample she notices that there is a high chemical level in Bri's blood, unusual for Human biology. As she downloads his DNA in the hospital files she runs it through a species database and the database comes up with two species: Human and Minbari, a hybrid. At first Delna thinks that the database is incorrect until she runs it again and it comes up with the same results. And what really gets strange is that the computer is placing him in two families, the family of Mir and the family of Sheridan. When Delna looks at Bri physically she sees only one Minbari characteristic, the skin alteration at the base of the eyes is ice white which is the first sign of a term in Minbari puberty called 'Cresting'. As she takes her fingers she follows a rough ridge that goes around his head to the other side. As Bri looks at Delna with confusion, Delna is surprised by the facts and decides to tell Bri the news. "Why don't you tell me what am I thinking healer?" As Delna remains touching Bri's head.

"What?" Says Delna confused at the remark.

"You're persistent to touching my head."

Delna laughs quietly, "Oh—a joke—checking a guess" Delna feels the three ridges, "just as I thought."

"What? Says Bri confused at the clutter remark.

Delna looks down at Bri, and says in a happy tone. "Do you know you are going through your cresting?"

Bri is confused. "What is cresting?"

Delna stands up straight. "A point in a Minbari's life when they come of age and their bodies' metamorphosis. It is a painful process we Minbari go through at about age 12 and lasts till we are 16th. As I know about hybrids, they are about 70 Human until they're 16 years old, you see the Human species compared to the Minbari species are the same, but the Human gene is regressive to the domestic of the Minbari gene so by age 12 you are 70 Human and 30 Minbari. By age 13th you are 65 Human and 35 Minbari, by age 14th you are 60 Human and 40 Minbari. By age 15th the Human gene is at 55 and the Minbari gene is at 45 and by your 16th birthday the gene will balance out to 50/50—complete hybrid."

Bri's mouth is open wide in disbelief. "Thanks that makes me feel just great!"

"Now as I have researched, the cresting point severely hurts more then regular Minbari because Minbari only have one layer of flesh covering the skull. As for hybrid Minbari they have three layers of flesh and hair to break through. As I know, first the skin at the cresting site will turn ice white as yours has and the bone will be able to be felt as you have. Next the hair at the crest site will become white and will fall out this is the point where the pain truly begins. The skin will swell due to the growing bone and then the bone will break out of the skin and will keep growing quickly until age 16th, and will keep growing slowly with you till the Minbari growth period ends at age 42. 42."

"Why so long, Human growth period last till we are 21!" Says Bri.

Delna thinks about the error and plans to correct her error by stating the transformation periods in Human years. "Now I know where the confusion is, I was stating the dates in Minbari—my bad, a Minbari year is half of a Earth year, it takes your planet 365 days to go around your sun, it takes us only 183 days to go around our sun. So to correct the math, the transformation begins at age 6 and last till age 8 if you are pure Minbari and if you are hybrid then the process is the same in Human years—12 to 16. Growth period for Minbari ends at age 21 for both sexes, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding Bri."

Bri nods to be kind. "That is okay."

Delna takes out a paper and begins the survey, "How old are you?"

Bri thinks quickly. "12 years old—in Human years and I guess 24 in Minbari?"

Delna smiles, "Correct, see you are catching on." Delna thinks for a while. "Where are your parents?"

Bri looks confused and home-sick. "I don't know, I just arrived on Minbar two days ago—strange enough to say, I am supposed to be dead!"

Delna looks up from one of the papers. "Your one of the 50?"

Bri cuts Delna off, "Actually all four of my friends are part of the 50."

Delna puts the papers down and looks at Bri. "So the question I must ask…why are you and your friends badly scraped up?"

Bri ponders for a second. "We were taken to the Grey Council, and I was going to be separated from my friends, this I could not let happen so we found a trail that came down from the mountain to this city. Things were going well until we entered an electrical storm, which got us into trouble."

Delna is curious, "And what was the Grey Council doing with you four if I may ask?"

Bri recalls to image of the triluminary, "Testing us with an object called a triluminary? It glowed and by the reaction of the council that must be the opposite of a good thing?"

Delna ponders on the question. "Well it makes since I suppose, you have Minbari DNA, thus you must have a Minbari soul, but there is nothing wrong with being Minbari if you ask me."

In the hospital, Shela is checking out Kelsey's growing rash. It does not completely consume all her skin, but it is spreading and that is what is worrying Shela. Allergic reactions in Human's are at a 70 to all Minbari environmental biologics. As Healer Shela removes what looks like a scale she analyzes it under a microscope to look for patterns and as the microscope focuses in she sees what almost looks like growth marks of a fish scale. As she places the scale in a small plate she then places it in a species analyzer to see what type of virus or bacteria is causing Kelsey's breakout. When the numbers finally come up with three possible species Shela is stunned by what she sees: The Species Analyzer results placed Kelsey as a hybrid of Vorlon, Human, and Asmaraqua. Not ever in Shela's career has she ever seen a species of human carrying two other species DNA. As she looks at Kelsey she can't figure out how to explain her results. "Kelsey."

Kelsey looks nervously at Shela. "Yes doctor, what is it?"

"Now you must understand that this DNA/RNA machine gives results out by the numbers and there is almost no chance that the numbers are wrong."

Kelsey does not understand the term of DNA-RNA but does not question Dr. Shela. "Well what do I have?"

"It's not what you have—it's what you are."

"I don't understand doctor?"

Shela places down the papers. "You are sharing three species DNA Kelsey. One is your Human DNA; the other two are a aqua species. They are Vorlon and Asmaraqua; this would explain why you are breaking out in scales."

Kelsey wonders what it means to be hybrid and why it is happening now. "But why did this not happen when I was on Earth?"

"Well one explanation could be is that you died before you could manifest."

"So is there any way to prevent this?"

Shela looks at outcomes, "No, not without any genetic mutation, which could kill you." Kelsey looks disgusted and Shela does not say a word.

As Isenla sticks Mr. Morden with a needle, Mr. Morden does not even flinch from the prick. "No pain?"

Mr. Morden says in a calm voice. "No, there is pain—I just remember pain being much more painfuller."

Dr. Isenla pulls out the needle. "Painfuller is not a word."

Mr. Morden replies, "And you are not an English teacher."

Isenla looks at Mr. Morden as if ready to come back with a remark. "You speak quickly Mr. Morden."

Mr. Morden smiles, "Why thank you."

As Isenla takes the DNA to the Species Analyzer she waits for the numbers to come up. As she waits she has questions for Mr. Morden about his past with the ancients. "While this reads your DNA I just have a few questions for you Mr. Morden?"

Mr. Morden folds his hands, "Sure, how can I be of any assistance?"

Isenla puts down the medical papers. "It's about your time when you served the Shadow's—what happened?"

Mr. Morden's smile dissipates. "Well as I remember I was part of a team picked by Dr. Chang to go to a world on the Rim called Z'ha'dum. As we arrived to Z'ha'dum it looked like it came straight from hell. The planet was just slightly larger then Earth with a thin, but dusty atmosphere. The surface was a blood red with black mixed in the landscape. The last thing I remember about Z'ha'dum was the yellowish red nebula behind the planet, which made Z'ha'dum redder. As we landed on the planet we saw ruins of an ancient race and have presumed that whoever lived here had died out, one reason was because we had found deposits that resembled water and plant life that had once lived on the planet's surface about 1000 years in the past. So all we could figure out is that there had been a major war that leveled the surface of Z'ha'dum. As we ventured on to the planet I began to try to translate what was glowing on the monoliths. Some of the words read: "All that you want". It was very confusing what it meant then it got more harder to understand, what I then translated on one of the tallest monoliths read, "All that is desired, all that you want." And on another, "Every light cast a Shadow." When Dr. Chang disclosure my findings we began an archeological search that lead us to two features. A cave that was unnaturally built and an organic plasma goo that we named the 'Egg'. I was to go with Anna Sheridan and Donnie into the caves. As we ventured into the cave we found two mice, which were pods to run the Shadow vessel. When we exited the cave, the team that was surveying the Egg was gone and all that was left was Anna, Donnie, and I because Donnie killed Dr. Chang, so I hid the two mice to keep them out of the control of the Psi Corps. As Anna, Donnie and I went beck into the cave we were stopped by a plasma wall that was lifted and we went further into the tunnel thinking we were invited, but like a spider in a web—we were being trapped. As we saw light in the tunnel we went to it and what we saw I will never forget. An ancient city still alive. As we walked down a stone path that hung on the wall we saw bluish-grey creatures taking my crew members and putting them in tubes, like a cryogenic sleep, but they were changed—implanted with wires in their brains. As we met Charleston who was transformed told me that this was the home world of the Lords of Chaos and that we must serve there masters, but as we looked at the bluish-grey creatures, Anna asked if the creatures were the masters? Charleston laughed and said that they were only servants to the masters, as I looked at Charleston I asked why they have not come to us? And as Charleston looked at me he told me that they we were surrounded by them. As the environment around Anna and I changed, these spiders were everywhere. They were noisy and everywhere you looked their eyes caught you. As Anna and I grabbed the mice we tried to wake it up. As my body burned, I lost memory of want happen next."

Isenla is quiet and looks at Mr. Morden with wonder. "Wow I suppose I have heard stories about the Shadow's, but never in such detail." The results come back…it reads 20 unknown species 80 Human. "Strange, 20 percent is not known by the computer."

Mr. Morden is surprised and thinks Isenla is pulling a fast one on him. "Is that a joke?"

"No, here look," Isenla turns the computer towards Morden.

"I see." Morden thinking about what clothes he was dressed in—it was black. "It's only a guess, but you could try Shadow?"

Isenla looks sharply at Mr. Morden. "Don't be silly; we both know that is impossible!"

Mr. Morden doesn't even move. "Maybe not, but it would not hurt to check now would it?"

Isenla turns around to the Species Analyzer. "I suppose not." Isenla types up the exotic species list of ancients and weird 'as thought by the Minbari' species. As the results came up it read positive for the account of Shadow. Isenla looks nervously at Mr. Morden. "It's true; you are a Shadow-Human hybrid Mr. Morden."

Mr. Morden nods his head, "As I had thought, but at least 20 percent and anyway at once the Shadow's were not the enemy—they like the Vorlon's had lost their way's."

As Kala looks at Jake she cleans up the blood on his forehead, which was caused by the fall on the mountain. As she draws some blood she places it in the Species Analyzer and waits for the DNA code. When it comes up it reads half Human half Minbari. Wondering if this could happen she runs the numbers again to be sure and they are the same. As she looks at Jake she tries to imagine him with a crest bone or any other Minbari characteristics. When the results confirm Jake as a hybrid she is confused by the results and is prepared to tell him. "Jake the results are in." As Kala walks to the door she pushes a button to close the door. As Jake sits watching this he is now concerned about what Kala found. "Jake, I have some strange news, but first I must make some sense of these findings, is there any news about your past that could create you into a hybrid this life?"

Jake looks at Kala, not sure of what he heard. "A what?"

"A hybrid, you are a Human-Minbari hybrid Jake."

She shows the computer to Jake. "You are almost to begin your cresting."

Jake is beginning to panic. "Cresting, what's that?"

Dr. Kala tries to think how to explain puberty to a potential Minbari-Human hybrid, it's sort of like the first time a parent of a child tries to explain the birds and the bees to there son or daughter...embarrassing. "When you merge with your Minbari gene to become officially hybrid and not just one species in physical form."

"How long do I have?"

"I can't tell, I don't know your age to be certain."

Jake quickly replies. "I am 12 years old."

"Okay, so if you are 12 years old, then in four more years you will begin your cresting, but in Minbari years, it is now!" As Kala feels above Jake's eyes she can feel the bone also growing above his eyes, which states that he is one-third complete with his cresting.

As Delenn eats with her friend, the Grey Council receives a message that Bri, Jake, Kelsey, and Mr. Morden are at the Tuzanor Hospital as reported by Healer Shela. As Delenn reads the message she tells he friend that she has to leave. "Thank you my friend for your friendship and hospitality."

The friend bows in front of Delenn, "Take care Delenn."

Delenn nods, "You to my dead friend!"

Delenn bows and her friend bows with her as a greeting and then Delenn exits the building and goes with the Grey Council to the Tuzanor Hospital. As Jake, Bri, Kelsey, and Mr. Morden await the news, the Grey Council draws closer, and the war of their time is dawning. The one war to end all wars, the war of the Reign of Rulers, and the forthcoming of the Soldiers of Darkness and the tyrant, Lord Anubis and Lord Asron, but a new enemy awaits of the veil of the undead, a power ten times stronger then Lord Anubis and Lord Asron, a caretaker of the Northern Wasteland, an guardian of the Prophecy of the ancient evil of the Prophet Lord Melkor.