The Calm Before the Storm

Babylon 5

Babylon 5 was built to be the last, best hope for peace. That peace never came. Instead, it has served as the last haven for those in need, the only place where everyone was welcome in the galaxy. The number of ships from previously unknown races in the crowded space around the station exemplified the current refugee crisis. Ships representing over two dozen races crowded the system, which posed a significant challenge to Babylon 5 Operations. Station logistics and resources were being stretched to their limits and beyond. Everyone was feeling the stress, perhaps none more than its captain, John Sheridan.

Babylon 5 Advisory Council Meeting - Green Sector

The entire council was in attendance for this critical meeting. The agenda mainly discussed the ongoing refugee crisis caused directly or indirectly by the Shadows. The League of Non-Aligned Worlds rarely agreed to anything, even in the best of times. Today was not the best of times.

"Order! I need order!" Yelled a very frustrated Captain Sheridan. As soon as he mentioned refugees, the room exploded. The words varied, but the message was the same. No one wanted to accept refugees on their planets.

Ambassador Mollari of the Centauri stood up and looked at Sheridan. "Captain, perhaps this is a conversation for another time, no? We all have our challenges right now. The Centauri simply cannot afford the 'distraction' right now." Sheridan didn't like how Mollari used the word 'distraction,' but the message was clear. Several ambassadors nodded in agreement, while others were more vocal in their support.

Delenn and Sheridan had discussed the agenda before the meeting. They thought it best to open the session with a more manageable topic before addressing the Shadows. That strategy had failed, so Delenn decided to intervene before things became worse. "If I may, Captain?"

"The floor is yours, Ambassador," Sheridan said.

"Thank you. I must, reluctantly, agree with Ambassador Mollari. Even with our considerable resources, the Minbari would be stretched to accommodate so many refugees. I understand the strain that this places on Babylon 5; however, we all have more significant challenges that require our immediate attention."

Sheridan looked at Delenn with surprise. He couldn't believe she wasn't supporting him after discussing what they had discussed. He then thought for a moment and realized that this was a calculated move on her part. If she showed solidarity with everyone on the refugee issue, they would perhaps form the Shadow alliance.

Sheridan sighed. "I understand. Let's address our next order of business. It has become obvious that the Shadows are a threat to us all. The longer that we delay, the stronger they become. We need to be ready if they turn their attention to us."

"What are you proposing, Captain?" Mollari asked.

"I am asking that the governments represented in this room ally against the Shadows. Everyone will contribute ships to a unified fleet enabling us to fight the Shadows."

Ambassador Vizak of the Drazi Freehold was visibly shaken. He noted the nervous reactions from several other ambassadors as well. "Captain?"

"Yes, Ambassador. Continue."

"What you ask is impossible. We dare not move against the Shadows openly. That would invite their wrath on our worlds! If we contribute ships to an allied fleet, our home systems will be weakened and open to attack. I cannot allow that!"

Sheridan stood up and began to walk around the room. "I understand what I am asking for is difficult. However, if we don't unite, the Shadows will simply pick us off one by one. They will eventually come to Babylon 5 and finish us off. We will lose everything and everyone."

"Captain Sheridan is right," Delenn added. "We know what happened 1,000 years ago. We know how much was lost. The Minbari led the war with the younger races and paid a heavy price. We can't fight this war alone. None of us can. Together, we can survive and defeat the Shadows."

"Ambassador, I'm not convinced of this Shadow threat. All we have are fragmented reports from refugees," Mollari said. "I need to see stronger evidence and how it might impact Centauri Prime. Until then, my answer is no."

The next several minutes were spent with each ambassador effectively echoing the words of Mollari. This situation had played out precisely as Sheridan feared. Without proof, he could not build a consensus on the threat posed by the Shadows, which meant no alliance to fight them. He had to develop another approach fast.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending. This meeting is adjourned," Sheridan said.

Babylon 5 - Captain Sheridan's Office

"Well, that was a disaster," Sheridan said to Delenn and Ivanova. "They're all so selfish and self-serving. Delenn, I appreciate the support you gave me there, but it wasn't enough. We need more, or we won't ever form the alliance, and the Shadows will overwhelm us."

"I know, John. I wish I could do more. The Warrior Caste is making things difficult. Like so many, they also don't believe in the Shadow threat."

"Well, I intend to do something about that. Susan, I need you to take White Star 1 on a scouting mission near the Orion sector. There have been sporadic reports of Shadow activity there, and I need more information to build this alliance successfully. Avoid direct engagements unless you must respond to a distress signal or defend yourself. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir," answered Ivanova as she turned around. "Sir, what am I looking for, specifically?"

"Evidence of fleet movements; debris from previous engagements. Anything I can use to prove to the races here that a fight against the Shadows isn't hopeless."

"I'm not so sure if such evidence exists. Finding wrecked ships may make others even more fearful." She saw the look in Sheridan's eyes and realized he had the same thoughts. She also realized that they had no other options. He was doing what he had always done. To try to create opportunities where none existed. "If anything is out there, I'll find it. When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible," Sheridan said with a tired look. "I fear that we don't have much time."

"Ok. I will grab Marcus and get underway immediately."

"Good luck Susan."

"Thanks, John. We're going to need it."

Ivanova got up, nodded at Delenn, and left the office.

Babylon 5 - CIC

Captain John Sheridan entered CIC a very frustrated man. His failure to convince the council of the need to unite against the Shadows still weighed heavily on him. Despite his disappointment, he wouldn't let his mood impact his ability to command. They couldn't afford to make mistakes, especially now.

The day shift was currently on duty. He was still thankful to be without the 'thought police,' as he called them. He considered it a highlight of his career when he removed all Nightwatch officers from the station. It spoke volumes about the current state of EarthGov that Nightwatch even existed in the first place.

Lt. Lin was on station monitoring the jump gate. The gate was moved further away from the station due to increased traffic and extra security measures. The job had become less routine due to the increasing number of refugee ships arriving virtually every hour. Lin was excellent at his position and had developed a 'sixth sense' when assessing ships that came through the gate.

"Captain, an Earthforce destroyer just exited the jump gate," Lin reported from his station.

"What ship is it?

"It's the Pollux, Sir."

"Hmm. I don't know their captain. Open a channel."

"This is Captain Sheridan on Babylon 5. State your business."

"This is Captain Julio Martinez of the E.A.S. Pollux. We were attacked by other Earthforce ships when we refused to fire on the Proxima III colony. We have suffered several casualties and heavy damage. We came here because there is no place else to go."

Sheridan sighed. "I understand, Captain. Unfortunately, I can't offer much support. My Med Lab is full of refugees from Shadow attacks. I'll contact the other Earthforce ships here to ask them to send help. We will send you coordinates where you can affect repairs and dispatch repair crews to assist."

"Thank you, Captain. I appreciate it. The Orion and the Juno are also coming here and may require help."

"Understood. We'll do what we can. Sheridan out."

"Lt., contact the other Earthforce ships and ask them if they can assist the new arrivals with medical and engineering staff."

"Yes, Sir."

U.S.S. Enterprise

"Military Log. Combat date….July 22, 2260. We have been in this universe for two months. We have successfully avoided contact with any of the indigenous people of this universe, which has allowed us the opportunity to become settled, to some extent. The initial shock of the transition has mostly worn off. All the crews, myself included, have enjoyed the opportunity to be explorers, especially in a new universe. Unfortunately, much of what we have seen has given us cause for concern. We have surveyed many planets that once supported civilizations that no longer do so. These civilizations were most likely destroyed by space-based weaponry, given the destruction patterns observed. Another disturbing observation was that all surveyed planets were damaged around the same period, 1,000 years ago. At this point, we don't have enough information to determine whether this was a large-scale war or a genocide conducted by a single entity. Whatever the case, this evidence has further convinced me that establishing a colony is too dangerous at this time. We may be better served by engaging with a local race to understand the current political climate and the dangers of this universe.

I've decided to visit the Orion system, the source of the first communications we intercepted upon arrival. However, information retrieved from our probes has been both promising and disturbing. We have detected ships that seem to appear and then disappear, not unlike a Klingon vessel. However, the readings are very different, and we don't currently have viable working theories about how these vessels can disappear. We'll enter the system with our shields up and Tactical ready to engage, if necessary. The Enterprise will be the lead combat vessel if we encounter a hostile situation, with Phoenix and Destiny providing support. Given the lack of drydock or starbase support, I intend to avoid combat situations whenever possible. However, we will defend ourselves if we encounter hostile forces.

End Log."

U.S.S. Enterprise – 10 Forward

"Admiral. It's good to see you. What can I get you?" Guinan asked.

Picard looked around the room. It had been a while since he'd been there, and he noted a few changes. "It looks like you've been busy down here. I hardly recognized the place."

"Riker approached me with the idea to make 10 Forward a more relaxing environment that encouraged the crew to be more social with each other. He allowed me to use my creativity to do the rest. What do you think?"

Picard looked around again. The room now had dimmed lighting, with colored lighting used on the corners of the room. There was also artwork adorning the walls in place of the drab, bare walls. "You've done well. The crew looks more relaxed. I approve. If you don't mind, I would also like to use your expertise on the other ships."

"I'd love to."

"Now, for the reason I came down here. We're on our way to meet with one of the native races. I've done first-contact missions before. Yet, somehow, this feels different."

"You don't have the Federation and Starfleet behind you. You are in command of three ships with no support. It's different when you aren't the big kid in school, is it?"

"I suppose it is. You're right. That's a new variable I must consider in every diplomatic engagement. To be honest, in some ways, this reminds me of my first deep-space mission. I assumed those days were long gone. There aren't many opportunities for exploration while fighting a war."

"That's true, but you're no longer fighting a war, are you? Now, perhaps you should live the life you've wanted instead of the one that was thrust upon you. The choice is yours on whether you embrace that choice or not."

"Indeed. Thank you, Guinan."

"Anytime. My bar is always open."

U.S.S. Phoenix – Captain's Quarters

"So, Libbon, what are your thoughts on seeing Betazed?" Maxwell asked.

"I'm still conflicted, honestly. It was home, but not quite. I recognized Betazed despite the obvious damage. Knowing my people are down there, sensing their emotions. It was difficult not to beam down. We all felt that way. Although we haven't given up hope for returning to our universe, we all know that the chances are remote at best and impossible at worse. We want to help our people. What would you do if that was Earth?"

"I don't know. I know what I'm supposed to do, but I don't know what I would actually do. We'll most likely be forced to settle here. I don't expect you or the others to stay away from Betazed, but you must be careful, especially with those Vorlons guarding the planet."

"I know. I told the others that we'd be very methodical in our goal to free Betazed and unite with our people there. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

"I'll keep that in mind if we find Earth in a similar situation. I'll need to speak with Admiral Picard to get his thoughts. I'm fairly certain of Captain Garrett's thoughts on the matter."

"She seems to be a stickler for the rules," Libbon said.

"That she is. That she is. Say, do you want another drink?"

"Yes, I believe I do."