FLARN MANAGES
by Luthienn
Author's notes:
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see the Prologue.
Minbari words and expressions are taken from Hightower's dictionary, as always. By the description of the Va'did Hael I followed Eren's lead who'd created this condition in the first place.
CHAPTER 2: THE END OF THE LINE
PART 3
Babylon 5, on the 22nd April 2271
When Rastenn and Tannier reached the MedLabs for their physical, they walked into a loud and heated argument between Babylon 5's former CMO, Dr. Franklin – who, due to the fact that he was a Drakh virus carrier, had been living in one of the IsoLabs for the last three years – and Dr. Chambers, the CMO of the Excalibur. The latter one was a tall, athletic, dark-skinned and raven-haired woman, towering even over Tannier – and not only very pretty but also known to have a mean right hook.
She was currently yelling at Dr. Franklin through the intercom unit, as he couldn't have heard her through the isolating glass wall that had become his prison in defence of the uninfected inhabitants of Babylon 5. As far as Tannier could figure out – medical jargon wasn't exactly his forte, especially not human medical jargon – they had some disagreement concerning a possible cure for the Drakh plague. The scene was neither new nor surprising, wherever Earth doctors were having a discussion. As time grew short, human medical researchers were growing increasingly desperate.
Noticing the two young Minbari, Dr. Chambers interrupted her scientific argument with her voluntarily imprisoned colleague.
"Gentlemen? Can I do something for you?"
"We are looking for Dr. Hobbs," Tannier told her. "We have been newly assigned to Babylon 5 and need medical clearance."
"I see," she gave his large bulk an appreciating look, which made Rastenn growl softly but warningly. Tannier shot his lover a slightly alarmed look; Rastenn's increasing jealousy could reveal their secret before the worst possible people.
Fortunately, Dr. Chambers didn't seem to realize what was going on.
"Well," she said. "Dr. Hobbs has gone to consult the Great Machine on Epsilon 3 – a rare privilege that she wouldn't let slip from her hands. But I'm more than capable of performing a routine physical, if that's okay with you."
The two Minbari exchanged looks, and then Tannier nodded. Maybe it was even better to have a strange doctor examine them, one who would leave the station shortly afterwards. Vad'id Hael could leave certain… traces in the affected person's body chemistry, unless very recently satisfied. And their joining had been more than two hours ago.
"That is acceptable," he said, and Dr. Chambers went on to make the routine examinations.
As expected, there was nothing unusual with Tannier himself – he wasn't the one affected by the madness, after all. But when making Rastenn's blood analysis, Dr. Chambers frowned.
"That's odd… Stephen, would you mind check these results? I've examined Minbari before but never seen a chemical imbalance like this."
Tannier suppressed a groan. Now they had walked into a trap with no way out. Dr. Franklin was known to have hijacked across half of the Galaxy to study alien species and was the leader of the Xenobiology Institute on Earth. There was no way they could make him believe that everything was all right with Rastenn.
Well, he always could try, of course.
"I assure you, Doctor, there is no need for that. Rastenn is completely healthy, just like myself."
The formidable woman gave him a scolding look. "I always thought Minbari didn't lie, Ranger Tannier."
"Not unless they're protecting the honour of someone else," Franklin corrected. "And in this case, I think, he's got every reason for lying through his teeth."
"What do you mean?" Dr. Chambers frowned. "Have you seen readings like that before?"
"Oh, yes, I have," Franklin said grimly. "During the Earth-Minbari war, I was called to examine a prisoner. He'd been captured in a small fighter, his co-pilot killed in that fight. His body chemistry had the same imbalance, just on a much higher scale."
"What happened to him?" Dr. Chambers asked. Franklin shook his head in regret.
"He died within days. But before that, he'd gone completely mad… and I mean really mad, growling and snarling and spitting mad… like an animal. Shredding his clothes, beating his fists bloody on the brig walls, scratching himself until he had ugly, bleeding wounds all over his body… it was a terrible sight. To the date, I still have no idea what might have happened to him."
The two Minbari exchanged one of those meaningful looks again – and then Rastenn shrugged.
"Tell him," he said. "We both knew this might happen someday. It is better it happened here than at home."
Tannier sighed. "As you wish, Am'sheal." He turned to Franklin gravely. "Doctor, can we hope that all we are going to tell you will not find its way into any official records?"
Franklin hesitated. "I'm not sure I can promise that. I can promise doctor-patient confidentiality, but we should have a record about a condition this potentially lethal, for future treatment."
Tannier shook his head. "There is no possible treatment for one afflicted with Vad'id Hael, doctor," he said sadly.
"Afflicted with what?" Dr. Chambers asked with a frown, never having heard the expression before.
"The dark fire of the soul," Franklin, who spoke a passable Adronato and even some Vik, translated for her. "Apparently, it must be some mental condition… with devastating physical results. The affect of a Minbari's mental state on their physical bodies is much stronger than it would in a human."
Tannier nodded. "That is correct, doctor. In this particular case, the condition is caused by the afflicted person falling in love with someone who's out of his or her reach, either because of oaths or because they are bonded with someone else. Usually, it is just a burden that we have to bear; a sorrow of soul and heart. But sometimes that burden of the heart becomes a sickness of the mind. And when the mind of a Minbari is weakened, the body follows its fall."
Franklin stared at him incredulously. "I always thought that only Tolkien's Elves could die of a broken heart." Tannier had learned enough about humans to know that the doctor was only trying to hide his shock with that lame joke. He continued, ignoring the interruption.
"And what is the worst thing in this entire misery, the inflicted one dies insane, with no knowledge of who or what they are, not even understanding the pain that is killing them, the lack that their soul mourns. Just like that prisoner you have tried to treat during the war. The co-pilot killed must have been his sus'te sum – the one his soul needs – and he simply could not survive without her… for I assume we are speaking of a mixed couple."
"I know nothing about the co-pilot," Franklin answered, "but the pilot was male, yes."
Tannier nodded. "It is a condition unique to the Warrior Caste, and usually it only afflicts males. When it is diagnosed, the person the patient loves to the point of loosing himself – the one he needs for survival – is found and any possible hindrances are removed from the way of their joining. This bond, this love beyond measure is the only thing that can dissolve even the marriage of a Satai – a member of the Grey Council," he added, seeing the blank looks of the humans," or the oaths of a Sister of Valeria. This bond is considered above all other oaths."
Franklin, more familiar with Minbari customs than Chambers, digested the information for a while.
"I understand," he finally said. "What I don't understand, though, is why you need to keep Rastenn's condition in secret? You've said yourself that it's something that's accepted and that the afflicted person is given every possible help to save his life."
"It is accepted, or at the very least tolerated, when the Vad'id Haelir's… obsession is directed at a person of the opposite gender," Tannier explained grimly. "Between two males, however, or – what's even more rare, between two females – it is considered an abomination. The… lovers revealed having such a relationship would be outcast and exiled… together, when they are very fortunate. Sent to different penal colonies, if the judges are feeling cruel."
"They'd let him die, insane and dishonoured and in great pain, just because he's in love with a man?" Dr. Chambers asked, incredulously. "Even on Earth, same-gender marriages are accepted and legal, have been for more than two centuries, and God knows, our people aren't the most tolerant ones in the known Galaxy. How could such an old culture as the Minbari be this… bigot?"
She was positively fuming, and while Tannier found her criticism of Minbari culture a bit harsh – not to mention disrespectful – somehow it felt good to have at least one person's unconditional support. Franklin, however, had a deeper insight into Minbari traditions.
"Very old cultures can be way too settled in their customs, Sarah," he said. "And don't forget that the Minbari are a diminishing race. Birth rates have been dangerously low, for quite some time. It's understandable that they would ban anything that could keep them from having offspring, and same-gender relationships are as a rule not fertile. Certainly not among Minbari, who would consider using a sperm donor or a surrogate mother cheating on their mate."
Tannier nodded. "That is correct, Dr. Franklin. Additionally, the… physical joining, which is the only way to restore the sanity of the afflicted one," he added with a blush, "leads to a conditioning. The Vad'id Haelir becomes… well, the best word would be 'imprinted', so that no one else but his sus'te sum can save him. This imprinting must also be renewed frequently for him to survive; therefore his partner must always remain close to him. And when his mate dies, there will be no rescue for him."
Franklin looked at them intently from behind the glass wall. "And you're the one who keeps Rastenn alive, aren't you."
"He is," Rastenn spoke for the first time since Tannier had launched into the long and embarrassing explanation. "He is my Cala'sum, my heart mate. I cannot live without him. I do not wish to live without him."
"But how can you always get the same assignments?" Franklin asked. "As far as I know, Rangers aren't asked where they want to serve."
"We are not," Rastenn agreed. "But in this one, we were fortunate. Tannier's sister used to be married to Alyt Neroon, who is my uncle, thus we are considered family. And members of the same family can ask for shared assignments, as they usually work better together, and it is a given that they would not betray each other, no matter what the price."
"Neroon?" Franklin repeated in mild shock. "you're the nephew of Neroon?"
Rastenn nodded, his young face mirroring a strange mix of sadness and pride.
"Yes, I am honoured to be closely related to one of the greatest warriors ever," he said. "The more must our… indiscretion be kept in secret, though. It would soil Neroon's memory, who sacrificed himself for the peace of Minbar. The fact that I have pulled one of the Religious Caste into this abomination – and one of the elder Minsa at that – would not be taken kindly."
"Because he's male?" Dr. Chambers asked.
"Because he is the only one in whom his bloodline could continue," Rastenn replied, "and his choice to save me has sentenced his Minsa, the Faithful Hearts, to extinction."
"But what about his sister, your… aunt?" Dr. Chambers apparently had difficulties bringing those two terms together. "Doesn't she have any children?"
Rastenn shook his head. "No. Theirs was a political marriage, right after the end of the Earth-Minbari war, designed by the Nine themselves, to maintain the fragile peace between our Min'aia… our Castes," he translated for the humans. "They went through the Fornor Fal kas'zha Mer'cha…"
"The what?"
"The public lovemaking ritual," Tannier explained. "It is an ancient tradition that had fallen out of use centuries ago, save some extremely important bonds where the good of the entire Minbar is concerned."
"Public… lovemaking…" Dr. Chambers was too shocked for coherent speech.
Tannier nodded. "As I said, it had fallen out of use long ago. But sometimes a bonding is of such great importance that the nine witnesses, representing each Caste, are needed to prove that the marriage has indeed been consummated. The ritual is performed in a specially prepared room, adjoining the family temple, right after the Nafak'cha. The witnesses watch it through a transparent screen, remaining in darkness."
Dr. Chambers shuddered. "That's really… disturbing. And your sister went through that thing voluntarily?"
"She did," Tannier answered solemnly, "because Valen's peace was at risk. But to my knowledge, Neroon never touched her again after that. She lived in seclusion in the Temple of Valeria all her life, and after Neroon's death she rejoined the Sisters fully."
"So, this bond of yours would mean the end of both bloodlines, right?" Franklin asked, starting to understand the ramifications.
"It will certainly end mine," Rastenn answered. "But should I die first, Tannier would be free to seek a more… suitable mate and continue his yet."
Tannier gave him a fondly exasperated look.
"I do not wish you dead," he said simply.
"I know," Rastenn said, his eyes unnaturally gentle. "It would be easier for everyone, though."
"Not for me," Tannier stated. "It is true, I entered this bond out of necessity – because I did not want you dead, you fool, But now that we have been bound for many cycles, I no longer wish to be with another mate. You are my Cala'sum, just as I am yours, and I would not want it any other way."
"But no others must know of this," Rastenn said, giving the two human doctors a pledging look. "Our honour – and our life – is in your hands, Hela'mer. No written records. Please."
Franklin sighed. He could well understand a death sentence hanging over someone's head; he'd one hanging above his own. Plus, he was a born romantic, and the tale of such a desperate love touched him deeply.
"Well, Dr. Chambers," he said, "can we bend the rules just a little?"
Sarah Chambers shrugged. "I'm not the official head of the MedLabs here anyway, so what the hell? Besides, I assume if I'd taken these readings right after you've… done what needs to be done, the results would be completely normal, wouldn't they?"
Tannier nodded. "That is correct, Hela'mer."
"Then we'll all pretend you've come here earlier and everything was perfectly all right," she said. "You can go now; I'll file away a clean bill of health… for both of you."
The two Rangers bowed – Tannier with folded hands, Rastenn with both fists pressed against his chest.
We are in your debt," Tannier said.
The lady doctor waved him off. "None of that, guys. True love is such a rare thing in these days; once found, it needs to be protected."
And there was infinite sadness in her dark, jewel-like eyes as they briefly rested upon the tired face of Stephen Franklin.
TBC
Minsa clan
Hela'mer healer