Aftermath
Earth – Earthdome – President's Office
Morgan Clark sat alone in his office, brooding. While his grip on power remained absolute, there were increasing signs that people were becoming restless. ISN was still firmly under his control, which had proven to be a very effective propaganda platform. However, people were beginning to question the accuracy of ISN reporting. He would need a distraction soon, or his grip on power could start to unravel. There was no way that he was going to allow that to happen.
Clark heard an incoming call notification. He ordinarily ignored them, but he recognized the caller, and he hoped that the caller had good news. "President Clark, I have news on the Shadow War. I'm transmitting the video now. It will answer any questions you might have," Smith told him from his quarters on Babylon 5.
Clark remained quiet as he watched the video. He already hated Sheridan. After watching the video, he hated him even more. Clark's enemies might rally around Sheridan and cause even more problems if word leaks out of Sheridan's victory in the Earth Alliance. The video also confirmed another problem; Sheridan and Picard seemed to be strong allies. Two humans were responsible for winning a war that almost no one in the Earth Alliance even knew had happened. The people of the Earth Alliance may look to them as stronger leaders than him, which would all but doom his reign.
"When was this broadcast?" Clark asked Smith.
"Just a couple of minutes ago. I contacted you as soon as the broadcast finished."
"Are Picard and the others on the station?"
"No, Sir. They're still at the Shadow homeworld, and I don't know when they'll return. My agents in the fleet have been unable to report back. Broadcasts from the fleet are closely monitored, and they will be discovered if they try. I'll contact my other assets for more information."
"Contact me as soon as you learn anything new, no matter the time."
"Yes, Sir. Understood."
Clark stood up from his desk and walked over to the window overlooking EarthGov headquarters. He reflected on the new information he'd just learned. The Shadows were now out of the picture. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad. At least he wouldn't have to deal with Morden again. Clark would need to rely on his people more now than ever, as information about this victory had to be contained. If he could convince Picard to meet with him, Clark could spin that meeting to his benefit. It would only take some creative video editing, and he could tell any story he wanted.
Clark sighed. It kept coming back to one unfortunate truth. Picard remained the key to ending the rebellion and would be instrumental in ensuring Earth's place as the strongest government in the galaxy. Sheridan was nothing without Picard, Clark thought. Even with Minbari support, Sheridan would have no choice but to stand down if Picard joined Earthforce, Clark reasoned. For a man that liked to control everything, there was very little he could do now but wait.
White Star 1 - Z'ha'dum
Sheridan hadn't left the bridge since just before the confrontation with the Shadows. He was still processing the Shadow's decision, not quite sure how to feel. 'Disoriented, yes, disoriented. That's what I am,' Sheridan thought. The outcome, though, was something that he was more than happy to accept. He needed to contact Ivanova before he joined Picard's people on the surface.
"Hey Susan, we did it!" Sheridan said to Ivanova, the sense of relief evident in his voice.
"Yes, Sir, and we didn't have to fire a single shot. I witnessed it with my own eyes, and it's still hard to believe. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome."
"You're right about that. I wanted to let you know that I will be remaining here with a reduced squadron of White Stars to assist Starfleet with intelligence gathering on the planet. I'm betting that they left some rather important information behind as they made their hasty exit, at least I hope so."
"Me too. Do you need me to stay behind as well?"
Sheridan shook his head. "No. I need you to return to the station. After the hoopla dies down, things are going to get crazy again, and I need you there to keep order."
"You got it. I'll see you in a few days then. Good luck, Captain."
"Thanks. Let me know if you run into anything big that you feel you can't handle. Remember to route it through the Enterprise to avoid the time delay."
"Will do. Ivanova out."
U.S.S. Enterprise – Main Conference Room - Z'ha'dum
-Next Day-
A small garrison remained with the Starfleet ships while they completed intelligence operations on the surface. Several away teams had been dispatched to the surface to collect anything that might yield any helpful information. Several data crystals had been recovered, which were hoped to contain valuable intelligence. Starfleet couldn't yet read the data crystals (another project for LaForge), so Sheridan gave them to the Minbari for analysis.
The captains from all three Starfleet ships were present, plus a few analysts were on hand if Picard needed more information on a specific topic.
"Captain Sheridan, please proceed with your report," Picard said to Sheridan.
"Yes, Sir. We've found an absolute treasure trove of information so far, and we've only just scratched the surface. However, we've found something today that explains a lot. Here's information that confirms the Shadow-Centauri alliance, including video logs between Morden and the emperor. And that's not all; we've also found evidence confirming that the Shadows were responsible for killing President Santiago in support of Clark's plans to assume the presidency. They were allied long before Santiago was killed. It helps to explain how he was able to take control of the Earth Alliance so quickly and efficiently."
No one was particularly surprised by this revelation based on circumstantial evidence, but everyone agreed that having absolute proof was always preferred.
"This evidence does confirm what you already suspected. It also proves how insidious and pervasive the Shadow influence was in multiple governments. Who knows how far or deep this goes?" Picard said, acknowledging the new evidence.
"It's disturbing and worse than I suspected. I plan to keep this information very confidential for now. We'll need to conduct a full investigation to understand who else might be guilty," Sheridan said while looking at Picard, who nodded in agreement.
"What of Earth? Given this evidence, shouldn't that be enough to remove Clark from power?" Maxwell asked Sheridan. Maxwell almost felt that he was channeling Martinez, though he wasn't sure if that was true anymore.
"I'd like to think so, but I'm not sure, to be honest. I have to assume Clark removed everyone with integrity from their posts that even had a remote possibility of interfering with his plans. For now, I'll have to rely on my people and the Minbari to continue reviewing the information we've collected."
"I thought that you wanted to restrict access to the information?" Garrett asked Sheridan, confused by the apparent conflict from his previous position.
"I do, but I also know that the Minbari hate anything to do with the Shadows and would never ally with them or anyone they thought was allied with them. I trust them completely with this. I can't say that about anyone else; unfortunately, present company excluded."
"Very well. According to Commander Troi, we've collected almost everything of value from the surface. I want to get underway tomorrow. Your thoughts, Captain."
"I agree. That will also give the analyst more time to review more of the data and perform additional surveys, if necessary."
"In that case, I'll inform the fleet. Thank you for the report."
"Yes, Sir. I'll inform you if I learn anything that requires immediate action."
"Thank you, Captain. That would be appreciated. Dismissed."
U.S.S. Phoenix – Holodeck 4 – In Transit
-Next Day-
Maxwell and Gam were back at John T. Floore's Country Store in San Antonio, Texas. Maxwell realized that the two hadn't visited the bar together for several months. With the war now over, he needed someone to talk to and reflect on everything that had happened.
They had sat down at Maxwell's usual table. The waiter brought over their drinks. Gam respectfully declined the chance to sample Jim Beam again. As he told Maxwell, Beam is an acquired taste, and it was evident to him that he would never acquire it.
"Thanks for joining me, Libbon. I shouldn't have waited so long to invite you back here for drinks," Maxwell said after he took a sip of his drink.
"It's all right, Captain. I've been very busy with Deanna developing our plans for Betazed," Gam said, then took a sip of his drink.
"Regardless, I shouldn't have waited so long. I wanted to talk to you now that the war is over. How do you feel?"
"Honestly, I haven't even thought about it. I'm far more excited about meeting our people on this Betazed now that the Vorlons have left. They'll need protection, and we should provide it since we were the ones who let the galaxy know of their existence."
Maxwell took another sip of his drink, then reflected on what Gam said for a moment. "You're right. It is our responsibility, and if I've learned anything about Picard, he's thinking the same thing. How close are you with the plan?"
"It's finished, though we may make some changes to accommodate for any knowledge they may have of the Vorlons. We'll have it done by tomorrow, without question."
"That's good to hear. I never had any doubt that you would be less than thorough. As far as I'm concerned, Betazed is a Federation world regardless of the universe. You have my full support for First Contact, and I'll let the admiral know that," Maxwell said, then called over the waiter for another drink.
"Thank you, Sir, for your support. It's very much appreciated. But I'm sure that you didn't invite me here to discuss Betazed. I don't need to be a Betazoid to know that. How do you feel now that there is no longer a war to fight?"
"I don't know. I've been fighting for 20 years, and now it's over. I've dreamed of this for so long, and now that it's real..." Maxwell didn't complete his thought as he contemplated what to say next. Gam sat silently as he waited for Maxwell to continue.
"I mean, I'm relieved. We won the war, no one died, and we didn't take any damage. We were successful by any measure. I left Deep Space 6 expecting to die seven months ago. Now, here we sit in a different universe, alive, with no war to fight."
"We've all lost so much to the war, and we lost even more by coming here. However, we have gained so much more by working so closely with the other Betazoids since we've been here. We can start again; we will start again," Gam said, a firm conviction evident in his voice.
"You're right. As you know, I've developed strong friendships with both Julio and Alex. It's only been a few months, but it seems like I've known them my whole life. My life was over before we arrived here. Now, I'm excited about the next chapter."
"I feel the same way. The Betazoids want to unite with our people here and help Betazed become the planet it could be. We don't want to force ourselves on them. Instead, we hope for something new, maybe a combination of their Betazed and the one we remember. Whatever happens, I'm looking forward to the challenge."
"You know, I'm glad we were able to find Betazed here, despite what was done to them. You have people here. You're not alone, which means so much. I hope that we are as successful when we visit the other homeworlds."
"As do I. It's meant a lot to us. I imagine that you feel the same way about Earth."
"Well, we can't exactly visit Earth right now, especially with the civil war going on."
"That may be true; however, at least you know it's there and that, eventually, you will be able to go there."
"You're right. Now that the war is over, I expect Sheridan and the others will ask us for help to remove Clark. Those are my people, but that isn't my war. Plus, Starfleet orders are unambiguous regarding interfering in the internal matters of a sovereign government."
"That's true. But if there is anything that I've learned since being here, sometimes, following the spirit of a law is more important than following the letter. I would keep that in mind if you're asked about Earth."
Maxwell finished the rest of his drink and then looked at Gam. "You've given me a lot to think about. Also, thanks for listening. There are only so many conversations one can have with themselves before the insanity begins to set in."
"I'm always here if you need someone to have a drink. Never forget that."
"Thanks. Another round?"
"Yes. There are so many choices. I will go with something different this time."
"Waiter," Maxwell called out, "another round, and bring over a menu for my friend, please."
Babylon 5 – Sheridan's Office
-Later Same Day-
Sheridan and Picard had spent most of the morning meeting with ambassadors, fleet officers, and general well-wishers. Everyone wanted to personally thank the men whom they felt were directly responsible for winning the war. Sheridan had become more comfortable with the PR aspect of running Babylon 5. However, the amount of admiration directed towards him as he and Picard made their 'victory lap' around the station was something that he was unprepared for. He noticed on several occasions that Picard try to distance himself from public recognition; however, Sheridan wasn't having it. Everyone needed to see him and Picard together.
After walking around for three hours, both men were happy to retreat to Sheridan's office for a little quiet time.
Sheridan gave Picard a cup of Earl Grey (using a tea bag) before taking his seat behind the desk.
"I've never seen that level of excitement here before. It's as if a darkness has been lifted from the station," Sheridan said while taking a sip of coffee.
"An appropriate metaphor, Captain. A dark veil has been lifted, and we're all the better for it," Picard agreed.
"Admiral, I haven't said this since we ended the war, but I can't thank you enough for everything you did in leading us to victory. We won't ever forget your name, not if I can do anything about it."
"It was a team effort. We all played our roles, and each role was equally important. Having the Vorlons there for the final push made a significant difference. Without them, I doubt that the Shadows would have quit the field, and I doubt that we would have won the battle if they began shooting."
"I agree. A battle would have been very costly. Fortunately, you and Delenn made a very compelling argument to Kosh. I'm still surprised that the Vorlons agreed to join us."
"I learned long ago to appreciate good fortune regardless of happenstance."
"You've made me a believer. Your presence here has made a difference in a huge way. I don't know how we would have won the war without you."
"Luckily, you won't ever have to find out. Now that the war is over, you can direct your attention to running the station again. With so many people needing aid, Babylon 5 will continue to play a pivotal role for the foreseeable future."
"If I could be so lucky. Earth is still in a full-blown civil war, and I'm still the unofficial leader of the resistance, at least as it pertains to Earthforce. Clark shows no signs of stepping down, and his grip on power remains strong. We don't have enough rebel Earthforce ships to mount an offensive, even if I was willing to engage in a direct assault which I'm not right now. I want to avoid any further bloodshed, if possible."
"One of Clark's people approached Captain Garrett a couple of weeks ago, requesting an audience with me. We told him that such a meeting would be impossible until the war was over. Now that it is, I'm sure his agent will be more aggressive in attempting to schedule a meeting between me and Clark. I have no interest in speaking to the man as there is nothing he can say that can justify his actions."
"Amen to that. Still, I'll have to do something about him sooner or later."
"As callous as this may sound, perhaps you should focus your efforts on expanding the alliance for now. With the war over, the focus shifts to rebuilding. You have been the most prominent voice from the very beginning. Everyone listens to you. They respect you, and you can leverage that to build something special here."
"I'm not sure that I'm following. I'm doing what needs to be done. The Shadows had to be defeated for the survival of the galaxy. You're right, now the focus turns to the rebuild, and I will help in any way that I can."
"I'm afraid that won't be enough. There is a leadership void that we must fill. The Vorlons seemed to serve in that capacity, though their motives were suspect. Consider for a moment. You have the potential to form a lasting alliance in this galaxy, perhaps for the very first time. The people here are asking for a strong, respected voice to lead them. That voice should be yours. There is no one else better qualified."
"I disagree, Admiral. Everyone respects what you've done for us. Your leadership, experience, and stature make you the ideal choice to rally behind. I'm not the only one who believes that."
"There may be some truth to that. However, I lack a certain standing that disqualifies me. I'm not native to this universe. Not only that, we haven't even established a colony here yet. I lack the established foundation to lead here. You, however, do have the requisite qualifications and stature for leadership. Besides, I have no political aspirations. I wish to finish my career as an explorer, not as a politician. In my opinion, you have a greater purpose. I've never shared this with you, but the main reason I agreed to join the alliance was that I saw the potential for greatness within you. If given the proper support, I believed that you could achieve great things. I still firmly believe that. You should consider all options before you settle on a path."
"What about you? Will you leave us now that the threat is gone?"
"That remains to be seen. I have scheduled a staff meeting for later today to discuss our next steps. I'm fairly certain that our next move involves Betazed. It's now unprotected since the Vorlons have left. I owe it to my people to protect the planet and the remaining Betazoids of this universe."
"You command the allied fleet. You can order a garrison to protect the planet."
"It's not that simple. For starters, there are no jump gates in the system, but, more importantly, it's not the responsibility of anyone else to protect that planet; it's mine. Given the sacrifices made by everyone to fight the war, I cannot, in good conscience, ask anyone to provide ships for such a garrison when I have the resources to do it myself."
"There isn't a single government out there that would turn you down if you asked for ships. I wouldn't let them, not after what you did for us. You only need to ask."
"I will take that under advisement. In the meantime, I had better get back to the Enterprise. You have a station to run, after all."
"That's true. You've given me a lot to think about, Admiral. I'll let you know what I decide."
"I look forward to it."
Babylon 5 – Green Sector – Delenn's Quarters
Delenn and Garrett had moved their morning tea to Delenn's quarters to avoid potential interruptions. Garrett knew that Smith would be looking for her now that the war was over. None of them wanted to deal with Clark, especially so soon after concluding the war and the need to address Betazed. Besides, they had a lot to cover and wanted to avoid unnecessary distractions.
"I'm delighted that the war is over and that you're still here with us. It would have been unfortunate to find another morning tea partner," Delenn said to Garrett, followed by a smile.
"I'm glad to be here. Just between us, I was terrified to fight in such a large fleet battle. I was so happy the Shadows withdrew without firing a shot, though I wish they had been receptive to diplomacy. Clearly, by their actions, that just wasn't ever going to be a possibility," Garrett said with a sigh.
"It was as I told you. The Shadows only understand death and destruction. There were gaps in the old records, but the threat posed by the Shadows was quite clear."
"I know. My eternal optimism sometimes gets the best of me."
"That's a good trait to have. It helps to provide strength, even during the darkest of times."
"Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you, Delenn."
"Anytime. Now onto other matters. The League meeting is later this afternoon. I've given your 'carrot and stick' saying a great deal of thought, and I think that I have an appropriate list of carrots to present."
Delenn gave Garrett a tablet containing her proposal. Garrett took a few minutes to read it before giving it back to Delenn.
"I think that makes for an excellent starting point for negotiations," Garrett said.
"Yes. The key to the whole proposal is the expansion of the jump gate network. That unlocks every other aspect of the proposal."
"I still don't know much about the jump gates. How hard will it be to expand the network?"
"Minbar can build the gates; however, we would want others to help place them and to provide the Quantium 40 to power the gates. The main problem with placing the new gates will be to move the gates to the designated systems."
"Why would that be a problem? Surely there are multiple freighters that we could use to ferry the gates to their destinations," Garrett asked Delenn, confused.
"The freighters would have no ability to jump to their destinations without a pre-existing gate. They would need to make many small jumps to not jump into a stellar body. Only the Minbari have sensors capable of detecting objects in real space from hyperspace. It would most likely take years before we could deploy the new gates."
Garrett sat quietly while she considered what to say. "That's not entirely true; we could place the gates with no difficulty as our ships don't need jump gates to travel. I would need to get the admiral's permission, but I think that he would be receptive to the idea."
"That would be extremely helpful. We still have the issue of the Quantium 40 supply, but that will remain a point of negotiation. I don't see that there's anything that we can do now to address it."
"I've never heard of this mineral before today. When we resume our exploration missions, maybe that is something that we can add to our surveys. That might help in later negotiations."
"I'm sure it will."
Earth - Earthdome – Presidential Conference Room
Today was the most dreaded day for most people in attendance: President Clark's weekly staff meeting. The perpetually angry Clark was always abusive and made unreasonable demands as a manner of standard practice. The leaders in the room often spent more time preparing for this meeting than performing their jobs. Of course, no one would dare voice that concern to Clark directly. The repercussions would most likely be severe and unpredictable.
There were ten people seated around the table, representing the most significant offices within EarthGov. Clark didn't care about most of them. He was singularly focused on one topic: retaining and growing his power base. Sara Vu, the first presenter of the day, had one objective in mind. Try not to make Clark angry. She wasn't confident in her odds based on the information she prepared to share with the group.
Clark looked around the table and noticed that everyone was tense. 'Good. Just the way I like it,' Clark thought to himself. "Ok, Ms. Vu, what information do you have?"
Vu was well-practiced after months of Clark's stares and no longer became nervous when called upon to present. "We've been able to keep the Shadow War out of the news, Sir. There have been rumors, but no one has anything solid. We'll continue to monitor all communications to make sure that we intercept any video of Sheridan's victory speech."
"Thank you, Ms. Vu. Jeff, what do you have?" Clark asked.
Smith was conferenced in via a Vid-Com. Despite not being there in person, he knew that he wouldn't be spared Clark's wrath if he said something Clark didn't like. "The rest of the allied fleet arrived earlier today, including Sheridan and Picard. They both walked around the station, meeting and talking to everyone. The whole galaxy will know very soon that Sheridan organized the alliance while Picard led the fleet to victory."
"Were you able to speak to Picard?" Clark asked, his expression unreadable.
"Very briefly, Sir. There were too many people around him to have a meaningful conversation. He said that he would contact me in the next day or so as he had several meetings already scheduled."
"I, see," Clark said, then sighed. "What have you learned from your operatives?"
"Picard and Sheridan sent several people to the surface of Z'ha'dum to collect information from the Shadows. My people couldn't find out what was discovered as Sheridan is keeping access to the information need-to-know. I did find it strange that the Centauri signed a ceasefire with the Narn as soon as Sheridan arrived on the station. I don't know if he threatened them or found something incriminating on the Shadow homeworld. Most people strongly suspected that the Shadows and Centauri were allies."
This wasn't good news. If Sheridan found information against the Centauri, he might find something tying Clark himself to the Shadows. Clark now had no backup, and he had yet to meet with Picard. His position was far from secure, and he knew it. The Shadow defeat was a disaster in the making.
"Has Sheridan asked Picard to lead the fleet against Earth?" Clark asked Smith.
"No, Sir. There haven't even been any reported rumors to suggest that an attack is being considered against the Earth Alliance."
"That's good news. That gives us time to consolidate our forces. Once we've crushed the rebellion, the united Earthforce fleet will stand strong against our enemies, especially once Picard and his people join us."
"I cannot guarantee that at this time, Sir. I still need to confirm the meeting first."
Clark was tired of hearing excuses, and the stress of his precarious situation didn't help his mood. He wanted, no, needed results. "This is taking too long! With the Shadow War over, Sheridan is going to turn his attention to Earth. He needs to be dealt with now!"
"Surely, we have enough ships to defend against Sheridan's fleet. How many ships do they have," General Lefcourt asked Smith.
"Almost 1,100 ships were a part of the final battle fleet. I don't know how many remain as there are no more than 400 ships in this system," Smith answered after he referred to his notes.
Vu saw an opportunity and decided to take it. "I suggest a change in strategy might be in order. Thoughts?"
"What if we demand the surrender of the traitors, including Babylon 5? If they don't agree to terms, then we'll attack the Proxima III colony," Lefcourt suggested. He didn't support attacking the colony, but he thought it would serve as an effective bluff. He hoped that Clark saw it the same way.
"I like it. We could solve all of our problems at the same time. When Sheridan surrenders, Picard will have no choice but to work with us," Clark said, seemingly happy with the idea.
"What if their fleet attacks us? We would need to begin redeployment of the fleet immediately to prepare for our defense if Sheridan still has access to the full strength of the combined fleet," Lefcourt responded. He didn't like the prospects of facing a fleet of that size, especially if Picard's ships were a part of that fleet.
"No loyal Earthforce officer would allow us to be attacked by aliens. Any attack by them will unite the entire Alliance under my leadership. Regardless, we need to end this rebellion now! We can't risk Picard's technology falling into alien hands. Once Picard joins us, we'll build a fleet of new warships more advanced than anything this galaxy has ever seen; then, the Earth Alliance will dominate the galaxy! Now, get out of here and do your jobs!"
Vu walked out of the room, happy to have not been yelled at directly. However, she was concerned that Clark would proceed with the plan to attack Proxima III if the others didn't surrender. She had an awful feeling about this.
Babylon 5 – Green Sector – Delenn's Quarters
-Two hours later-
Delenn and Garrett continued to work on their presentation to the Advisory Council and League members. They had both contacted specific members who could prove to be valuable allies when they made their proposals. They were happy with the progress they had made, but there was more work to be done.
Unfortunately, just minutes away from finishing, the door chime sounded.
"So much for no interruptions," Garrett said as she looked toward the door.
"I don't know who that could be. I'm not expecting any visitors." Delenn got up and walked over to the door, and opened it.
"Neroon. Your visit is unexpected. Come in."
Neroon walked into the room and saw Garrett seated at the table, then turned to Delenn. "Delenn, I came to talk to you about your thoughts on our federation. It is good that Captain Garrett is here, as I have questions for her as well."
Neroon and Delenn walked over and sat down near Garrett. Garrett stood up and greeted Neroon. "I'm honored to see you again, Alyt Neroon. I was hoping to meet with you to discuss your thoughts on battle tactics and strategy. I've been learning a great deal from my first officer, but I understand that Minbari fight doctrine is different, and I would value your insights."
Neroon studied Garrett for a moment, then responded. "In normal times, I would never consider such a request from a human," Neroon grumbled. "But these aren't normal times, and you're not a normal human, are you? You, humans, have earned the respect of the entire Warrior Caste, and your warships are recognized as the best among the younger races. Answer my question first, and then I may offer to assist you."
Garrett looked at him and had to remind herself of Neroon's history with humanity. She would humor him for now. "Sure. Go ahead and ask your question."
"Is the reason your warships are so powerful due to your federation?"
Garrett studied him carefully before she answered. "If you're speaking of the technology, then yes. All members contribute to the greater strength of the Federation. Everyone's ideas are respected equally. It's that mutual respect and appreciation of all voices that gives us strength."
"Are you saying that if we were to allow all members of the Minbari Federation to contribute as equal members to the Minbari, then we could become stronger as well?" Neroon asked.
"That's one benefit for sure; however, there are so many more when everyone feels empowered to contribute to the collective whole."
Neroon didn't care about any of that, as his only concern was to improve Minbar's military strength. He then turned to Delenn. "Delenn, you've told us that Minbar wasn't strong enough, that our stagnation was killing us. I didn't believe you, much like I didn't believe in the Shadow threat. I was obviously wrong; that much is clear. We are strong but not strong enough. The Minbari Federation must evolve, or we will lose our place among the younger races. We cannot allow that to happen!"
"Neroon, as you've seen, a single voice alone can't effect change. I've proposed what I think needs to happen for Minbar to grow, but I need support. Are you willing to add your voice to mine to usher the Minbari Federation into a new age?" Delenn looked at Neroon with a severe look.
"Delenn, after what was witnessed during the Shadow War, the entire Warrior Caste will support you. We allowed the Vorlons to stagnate us for far too long. We must evolve to become stronger."
Neroon then turned to Garrett. "Captain, I will teach you the ways of the Minbari warrior. In exchange, you agree to help us improve the Minbari Federation. Do you agree?"
Garrett glanced over at Delenn, who responded with a subtle nod. Garrett extended her hand to Neroon and said, "I agree. When would you like to start?"
"I need to speak to the other leaders of the Warrior Caste. Once I've informed them of this agreement, I'm sure they'll want to begin as soon as possible."
"I will also need to confirm with Admiral Picard. I'm sure he won't have a problem with me assisting you."
Neroon laughed. "Of course not! Picard is a warrior. He knows our ways." Neroon then turned and bowed to Delenn. "I must be off. Delenn, Captain."
As soon as the door closed, Garrett looked at Delenn, who stood completely still. "Did that just happen?" Garrett asked.
"I can't believe it. I hope so. Neroon's support is more than I could have hoped for. I don't care what Neroon's and the Warrior Caste's motives are. With their support, Minbar can grow. The Minbari Federation will evolve. Thank you, Rachel, for everything," Delenn said, almost overcome by emotion.
"I haven't done anything yet. However, you have my promise that I will do everything in my power to support you."
"You've already done more than you realize. Let's go to the Advisory Council. I would hate to be late," Delenn said as she regained her composure.
"I agree. Let's go."
U.S.S. Enterprise – Main Conference Room
-Four hours later-
The senior officers from all three ships were in attendance for this, the most important meeting since the war ended two days ago. It was standing room only as there was a full schedule, and the department heads from each ship had been invited.
"Now that the war is over, we need to discuss what our plans for the future are," Picard said.
"Admiral, Betazed is unprotected now that the Vorlons have left. The Shadows have been defeated, but there may be other unknown threats in play. We have to go back to protect them," Gam, the first officer of the Phoenix, said.
"I agree, Commander. However, I would like to go a step further. I trust that you have developed a thorough First Contact plan that we can follow to the letter?"
"Yes, Sir. I, Commander Troi, and the entire team have reviewed the plan countless times over the past three months. The plan is as comprehensive as possible. I believe that we're as ready as we can be, Sir."
"Very well. Phoenix and Enterprise will leave for Betazed at 0800 tomorrow. Destiny will remain here and continue to work with the local governments and provide any necessary assistance. We've established a significant amount of goodwill among the local races, and I would like to build upon that."
"I agree, Admiral," Garrett said. "I already have meetings scheduled with the Minbari and League representatives. The Minbari are interested in evolving their federation into something more. Maybe not to the extent of our Federation, but more than it is now. I've been asked to advise the Grey Council in their planning efforts. Moreover, several League members are anxious to expand the alliance built during the war. Our commitment to helping expand the jump gate network has played an important role in convincing some more resistant ambassadors. The promise of increased trade has served as a very effective carrot."
"Splendid, Captain. Despite our initial reservations, we have made a difference here and will continue to do so. I've given our situation a great deal of thought, and I've concluded that we will soon need to find a place to establish a base of operations and a home. The more friends we can make, the better. While we're at Betazed, I will have the Astro Science department begin the search for a suitable planet for colonization. I want everyone to understand that I don't want to pursue an immediate colonization mission. However, I would like to identify potential options that we can begin negotiations with the local governments, if necessary."
The meeting continued for an additional hour, covering a range of topics. There was hope and optimism among all participants, something none of them had when they first arrived. They had all cheated death in their way, and each had committed themselves not to squander the new chance they'd been given.
Babylon 5 – CIC
Captain Sheridan was relaxed while managing a now routine day at Babylon 5. Most of the ships from the final assault fleet had returned to their home systems, though a few hundred remained in the system. Picard told the governments that it was essential to maintain a garrison while post-war negotiations were underway. Unofficially, he wanted the fleet to remain together to help solidify a more permanent alliance. Sheridan agreed. He still remembered the painful negotiations he conducted before the war began. He hoped that with the added help and the victory, this time would be different.
ISN was always shown on at least one monitor in the CIC to keep tabs on the latest lies told by Clark and his cronies. Most were benign, at least on the surface; however, Sheridan knew that the reality had to be much worse. He hadn't spoken with his father yet since Starfleet deployed their communications buoys. He had put off making the call because he didn't want to hear how bad things had gotten on Earth, especially since he couldn't do anything about it.
After today, he would no longer have that luxury.
"This is ISN with an important message from President Morgan Clark of the Earth Alliance."
"Since the unfortunate accident that took the life of President Santiago, I have done my best to ensure that the Earth Alliance maintained its position of strength. My Humanity First policies have seen the Earth Alliance grow in stature, letting potential adversaries know that we will not be intimidated by anyone. Unfortunately, many have used President Santiago's unfortunate death as an excuse to sow discontent and rebellion in an attempt to undermine the legitimate government of the Earth Alliance. I cannot and will not allow this to continue. I am prepared to make a one-time offer. Anyone who has previously rejected the directives of EarthGov will be allowed to return to the Earth Alliance with no repercussions if they immediately surrender and place themselves under the orders of the nearest Earthforce or EarthGov representative. Those who refuse will be considered traitors and will be brought to justice, starting with Proxima III. The colony will be attacked in one week unless ALL insurrectionists and terrorists surrender. Make the right choice for all of us."
"Does Clark think that anyone will believe anything he says?" Ivanova said to no one in particular.
"That's not what I'm afraid of, Commander. He has openly threatened Proxima III unless everyone surrenders, including us. He's trying to test our resolve while also making us responsible for the attack on the colony." Sheridan experienced a range of emotions, but one stood out from the rest: anger.
"Doesn't he realize that we have a fleet that just defeated the Shadows?" Ivanova asked as she turned to Sheridan.
"I'm sure he does. He probably thinks that none of those ships will fight with us against Earthforce, and he may be right. We asked them to fight the Shadows, not against the Earth Alliance. Commander, I'll be in my office. I need to figure out how to get out of this mess and take down Clark permanently. I don't want to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary."
"Yes, Sir."
Babylon 5 – Sheridan's Office
Sheridan had to place the call that he had been dreading for so long. Clark's announcement today had forced his hand. There wasn't much time, and he needed intelligence from someone on the ground. There was one person who was uniquely qualified to provide it.
"Hi, Dad. How are you holding up?
"John! It's been ages! I'm so happy to see you, though it looks like you've aged 20 years since I last saw you."
Sheridan thought the same thing when he saw his father. Whatever was going on on Earth wasn't good for anyone, his father included.
"I feel like I've aged 20 years. The stress has been intense over the last few months. Fortunately, I've been able to get more sleep since we defeated the Shadows."
"I'm afraid that I don't know much about the Shadows. You'll have to tell me about that when I see you again. Did you see Clark's threat on ISN? I don't need to tell you that thousands will be killed if Clark or that fleet isn't stopped."
"What's going on there on Earth? I have evidence that confirms Clark's involvement in President Santiago's murder. Is there anyone you know who would arrest him?"
"You already know the answer to that. I wish there were, John. Many of us would move against him, but he is too well protected politically and militarily. If we were able to get help, we could move in and remove his supporters."
"There might be something I can do, but it might be a tough sell. I want to do whatever I can to avoid an all-out war."
"How are you going to do that? The attack happens in seven days. Time is not on our side."
"Do you know who Clark's key supporters are and where they can be found?"
"I can find out. What do you have in mind?
"Let's just say that I might have a way to bring Clark and his cronies down without firing a shot."
"John, if you can pull that off, you will be a hero to everyone in the Earth Alliance."
"I have to convince someone to help us first. It's not going to be an easy conversation."
"You'll succeed. I have faith in you. Well, I'll let you get back to your duties. Contact me when you have a plan."
"Will do. Take care of yourself."
"You too."
Sheridan closed the channel. He now had to make another difficult call. He couldn't believe that he thought that today would be a routine day.
U.S.S. Phoenix – Holodeck 4
-Two hours later-
It had become a bit of a routine for the three friends to get together and visit different places in San Antonio when time permitted. With the war over, everyone had a little downtime before the next mission. With the Phoenix scheduled to depart tomorrow, Maxwell wasn't sure when the next time they would be able to get together for drinks and laughs. However, he noticed that his friends weren't in much of a laughing mood.
O'Dell was slowly nursing a gin and tonic while he tried to think of the best way to broach the topic. "Ben, I was able to talk to my mom and sister yesterday, and the news wasn't good."
"What's wrong, Alex?"
"Everything! Maria couldn't tell me anything because the commlink was being monitored. But I could tell that she was depressed. I barely recognized her, and my mom looked ashen and depressed."
Martinez jumped into the conversation. "My wife has received multiple visits from Nightwatch, though they stopped about a week ago or so. They've been trying to use her to get information from me concerning you."
Maxwell looked surprised by this revelation. "Me? Why me? We've had no involvement with the Earth Alliance since we arrived here."
"She was told that it was a matter of Earth Alliance security. Obviously, Clark wants you and your ships. Your reputation is very well known, even to him. Everyone knows that your ships are the most powerful in the galaxy, even more so now that the Vorlons and Shadows have left. Clark no doubt wants you to join Earthforce and prove human superiority to everyone," Martinez said.
"That's never going to happen, though that does leave you and your mother in a difficult position. What are you going to do about it?" Maxwell asked Martinez.
"I don't know. ISN broadcast an ultimatum today from Clark demanding that we surrender or he'll order an attack Proxima III. He's made sure that only his loyal officers are in command of each ship in the fleet. Tens of thousands of people will be killed unless something is done. Ben, we have to do something! I tried to do something before, but it wasn't enough, and I almost lost my ship and crew. We need to save our people and our families. We may need to fight this one out, and your ship would make a huge difference," Martinez said, with O'Dell nodding in agreement.
Maxwell looked a little conflicted as he stared at his friends. "I'm still getting used to how different things are here. Back in my universe, Starfleet would never intervene in the civil war of another power. It goes against everything we stand for."
"But you're not in your old universe, are you? You're here with us now. The question is, what are you going to do to help us? My ship won't make any difference. Hell, there aren't enough rebel Earthforce ships to make a difference. We'll be destroyed as soon as we enter the system, whether Proxima or Sol. Your ship, however, is an entirely different matter."
"Yeah, I see your point. You're right. We have to take a stand. We've done it with Betazed, and I think it's time we do it with Earth. This universe is home for us now, and we've all accepted it. Now it's time that we act like it."
"Maxwell to Picard."
"Picard here. Go ahead, Captain."
"Admiral, I need to speak to you right away. Are you available?"
"Yes. Come to my Ready Room."
"Thank you, Sir. I'm on my way. Maxwell out."
"Thanks, Ben. We appreciate you helping us," Martinez said. "This means everything to us."
"Don't thank me yet. I have to convince the admiral that we should help. If he denies my request to use my ship, I will join you on the Pollux. As you said, this is our fight. Let's head to the Transporter Room. I don't want to keep him waiting."
U.S.S. Enterprise – Ready Room
Ben Maxwell had transported over to the Enterprise five minutes later and walked into the admiral's ready room. His conversation with Martinez and O'Dell had a significant impact on him. He'd known that they were never going to return to the Federation, but he hadn't accepted it. He never asked himself the question If he wanted to go back if given a choice. Now he knew the answer. He was here to stay. The guys had embraced him and practically adopted him. The closest thing to a family he had was here, and they needed his help.
"Captain, have a seat. Captain Sheridan contacted me just before you arrived. Captain Sheridan, Captain Maxwell has an urgent matter to discuss. Can I get back to you?"
"I'm afraid not, Admiral. Earlier this morning, President Clark issued an ultimatum to attack the Proxima III colony unless all 'rebel' forces surrendered. Tens of thousands of people will be killed if that fleet, or Clark, isn't stopped. As commander of the allied fleet, I'm asking you to lead the fleet to defend the colony."
Picard sighed. "Captain, I agreed to lead the fleet against the Shadows, not against Earthforce in Earth's civil war. You already know what the Prime Directive says regarding noninterference in the internal affairs of sovereign governments."
"Admiral, If I may? I have a suggestion," Maxwell said.
Picard was intrigued. "Indeed? Is this what you wanted to discuss, Captain?"
"Yes, Sir. Sir, we've had this discussion several times. We owe it to our crew members whose races don't exist here to find a way back. However, we also must be pragmatic and accept reality. You've said yourself that we need to make a home here. Ten billion humans are suffering on Earth right now under Clark. He's about to kill thousands if we do nothing. It's not the same as the attempted genocide of Betazed; however, it's just as vicious. These are our people. We have abilities no one else has, and we can make a difference," Maxwell said, passion evident in his voice.
Picard didn't hesitate because he had already come to a similar conclusion. "What do you propose, Captain?"
"I propose that we travel to Earth, under cloak. We then enter orbit and deploy security teams to arrest Clark and his supporters."
"I contacted my father earlier. He has many supporters in the government who will regain control once Clark and his cronies have been arrested. We'll need to broadcast to everyone that Clark has been arrested and that all attacks must be called off," Sheridan added.
"That won't be a problem. A Starfleet communications relay can override all Earth broadcasts," Picard informed Sheridan.
Picard then looked at Maxwell. "How long will it take to get there?"
"Five days at warp seven."
"Very well. You'll arrive significantly before the deadline, though you may wish to increase speed as you approach the system since I wouldn't trust Clark to keep his word regarding the deadline."
"Me, Sir?" Maxwell asked, surprised.
"Yes, Captain. Betazed needs to be protected. I will take the Enterprise there to provide security for the planet and initiate First Contact protocols. I'll ask Captain Garrett to join you for the initial mission. However, she won't be able to remain on station for long as she is heavily involved in diplomatic activities with League and Advisory Council members."
"I understand, Sir. I can handle it," Maxwell said as the tension left his body.
"I'm sure. You have my complete confidence. For the record, gentlemen, I have no desire to see thousands of innocent people killed, nor do I wish to see the continued suffering and oppression of billions more. I want you to bring Clark and his supporters to justice. Captain Sheridan, assemble whatever staff you'll need for this operation. Inform Captain Maxwell when you and your party are ready for transport. Captain Maxwell, I'll inform you of Captain Garrett's decision before I depart for Betazed."
"Admiral, I'm sure that my first officer would like to join you on your mission to Betazed. I would like to request an officer exchange, temporarily, until we settle matters on both planets."
"Very well. Inform Commander Gam of his temporary reassignment, and I'll inform Commander Riker. Unless there is anything else, gentlemen, dismissed."
As soon as Maxwell left the room, Picard made his call to Garrett. He strongly suspected how she felt and what her position would be for this assignment. Therefore, Picard decided that he would make a request and not issue an order. She was doing outstanding diplomatic work, and he didn't want to derail her efforts.
"Captain Garrett. I have a request for you, not an order. If you decline, I will understand, and there will be no negative repercussions."
"I understand, Sir."
Picard informs Garrett of the situation on Proxima III and his decision to intervene. "Captain Sheridan will have security and legal personnel handle the arrests. I would like you to assist Captain Maxwell in case an armed confrontation is required. I would also like you to initiate First Contact protocols with the Earth Alliance government once Clark has been arrested. I have already informed Captains Maxwell and Sheridan that you are heavily involved in diplomatic activities on Babylon 5 and will not be able to remain on station for very long. Do you have any objections to this request?"
"No, Sir," Garrett said without hesitation.
"Really?" Picard asked, surprised by her quick answer.
"Yes, Sir. It's been made quite clear to me by many people, including my first officer, that we should accept that we are not returning home and that this universe is it. Many of those same people have also expressed a desire to settle on Earth once they're ready to leave Starfleet. Our participation in the liberation of Earth will go a long way in making that happen. I've made peace with knowing that we're here to stay, and I owe it to my crew to do what is in their best interest."
Picard marveled briefly on far they'd come in such a short period, then offered his thoughts. "I've recently reached a similar conclusion. It wasn't easy; however, in the end, there was only one choice to make. Very well, recall your crew and prepare to depart. I'll inform Captain Maxwell of your decision. Picard out."
