Firstly, I want to apologize for the lateness . Life has been getting in the way. Secondly , thank you to my readers . Thirdly, for those of who are curious, the Draini look like Shellos from Pokemon except they have more then two colors and different ears. That is the only way I can describe them properly.
The usual disclaimer applies : I own nothing except the Ocs and the Plot.
General Tolar was not in a good mood. He was in a foul mood. A very ,very foul mood ; he was enraged in fact. So foul was his mood that his men scampered to get out of his way .His plans had begun to unravel. However, the general was nothing if not inventive. He could improvise. He would rule his empire better then that annoying little brat. He would conquer the whole galaxy. He was not going to let a few little missteps prevent him from achieving his destiny.
"Wait, wait ,wait. Let me get this straight, " Jeff Sinclair , said as Garibaldi packed," You're telling me that this woman and her people are protectors of a slug-like people that can change peoples destinies and can turn invisible and that ,despite that only certain people can see them when they're invisible, like the woman and her people and telepaths, you can see them. And the one who captured you is after them so he can take control of the galaxy. And that because her ship is to damaged , the woman can't take the slugs to their new home where they'll be safe ,you're doing it."
"That's about it," came the curt reply.
"Damnit, Michael ,do you realize how crazy this sounds?" Sinclair demanded.
"I thought I was crazy too, until I talked to Zack and he can see them. So can Talia and Delann. I'm not about to let the Drani get killed because of this asshole ," Garibaldi responded, massaging the bridge of his nose.
This was the second time in about six hours they'd had this argument. President Sheridan had tried talking him out of , Ivonnova had tried to talk him out of it, even Londo and G'Kar tried to talk him out of it. It wasn't going to work. He had to do this. His bag full , Garibaldi was ready to move. Helena had informed him that the Drani were ready to go about twenty minutes ago.
"Listen ,Michael -"
"Do not give me the "post-traumatic- stress" thing, Jeff. I know what I'm doing," Garibaldi snapped.
Without another word, Garibaldi walked out of his quarters, and down to the hanger. Maybe for the last time.
The hanger was quiet as he walked towards his fighter. Garibaldi realized that this might be the last time he ever saw his home. As he approached his fighter, he saw Talia and T'Challa waiting for him. He hugged Talia and shook the young alien's hand. T'Challa had decided to join Security.
"Listen ,kid. I want you to listen to Zack , okay? He knows what he's doing," Garibaldi ordered.
T'Challa nodded, unable to trust his voice. Garibaldi climbed into his fighter and started it up. He knew he was really just going through the motions. He knew this all by heart. The fighter rose and left the dock. Looking to either side, he could see the shimmering forms of the Drani. It was time to go. He punched in the coordinates and the jump gate flared to life.
Many watched as the fighter vanished into the jump gate. Those who knew the why of the situation and those who did not. Those who did not know where wondering ,"Why? Why is this fighter leaving before a battle?" Even some of those who knew were wondering why they were letting the pilot do something the could possible be suicidal foolishness. However, they knew the why and knew it needed to be done, even if they had tried to talk him out of it.
Even the pilot was wondering why , though he knew better then anyone the why. Garibaldi knew that he wouldn't be able to say long with the Drani. Not as long as he would have like under other circumstances ; Babylon 5 would need him when the battle started. What the hell am I doing? ,he thought. He'd promised Helena he'd get the Drani to their new home safely , no matter what. He'd learned so much about these gentle creatures in the few weeks they'd been on the station.
They communicated telepathically because their vocal cords couldn't make strong enough to use any spoken language save their own. They could turn invisible and when invisible only telepaths , Makaria , and people who had been close to death's door but not meant to pass through. Like me, he thought. Garibaldi shook himself and tried to focus on his mission. It would be several hours before they would reach the Drani's new home.
The armada finally complete , General Tolar knew it was time. He would have to be careful. Her majesty didn't know about this and hopefully , she would not find out until after Babylon 5 was taken. He would return victorious and say that it was the queen's idea to launch , this "pre-emptive " strike, raising both her status as a wise queen and his as a great general. Then he would have one of his most loyal operatives force the queen to write a will that state should she die childless , the throne was to pass to Tolar. The operative would then "accident" the queen to death, Tolar would take the crown and no one would ask questions.
He smiled as the ships jumped into hyperspace. His plan was perfect. But like most plans of this nature there would always be a snag. Tolar didn't know that the escapees from his prison had reach Babylon 5 and that the station was up in arms. The snag was prepared.