A/N: It's the big day! Lawl. And, to my sole reviewer: "Bah, Saiyans don't need aides!" Hehe.
Disclaimer: I would have to pay lots of money that I don't have if I claimed this was mine.
"Commander, we have an incoming ship," Videl called from the observation deck on the arrival date. "Yes, it's Saiyan alright – and an incredible piece of work at that. All weapons are disengaged, and a smaller ship has just disembarked. Estimated time of arrival is one hour and thirty minutes. The larger ship is preparing to jump back."
"So far so smooth. Let's assemble the crew and head down to meet our guest."
The door of the docking bay hissed open, and the Saiyan ambassador strode through to meet Commander Sinclair, Videl Satan, and Sharpener Garibaldi.
"Welcome to Babylon 5, Ambassador," Sinclair began, trying to not lose confidence with such an intimidating figure in front of him. "Your luggage will be brought to your quarters. I'm Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, and this is my lieutenant commander Videl Satan, and my Chief of Security Sharpener Garibaldi."
"Very good," the Saiyan replied, nodding to each of them. "My name is Gohan Son. I hope the short notice has not inconvenienced you."
Videl found it hard not to stare at him as he spoke to the commander. He was very tall, about the same height as Sharpener, and he wore broad-shouldered armor similar to what she remember the Saiyans wearing when they defended the Earth. He looked to be in his mid to late twenties, about the same age as herself, and his hair was cropped short, but still retained the characteristic wildness she remembered two of the Saiyans on Earth had. He did not smile, but his expression was calm, not harsh like she expected.
"Not at all," the commander replied. "Now, if you'll come with us, we thought we'd begin by giving you a tour of the station, and then introducing you to your fellow ambassadors before showing you to your quarters."
"Absolutely."
Sinclair nodded then turned on his heel, Ambassador Son falling to place behind him, with Videl and Sharpener taking up the rear. She tried not to stare at the tail that had just unwrapped itself from around his waist. Glancing to the side, she noticed that Sharpener was staring as well.
"We're currently in the Yellow Sector," Sinclair explained. "If you need to transport cargo or people to and from specified locations in the galaxy, you can do so here. We have regular transports from here to Earth, Centauri Prime, and the Narn home world. Shipping to Vegetasei or Minbar will have to be arranged in advance."
They passed through a force field, which scanned them for illegal substances and technologies on their persons, none of which were found on any of them. Several humans and aliens in their vicinity swerved to avoid Commander Sinclair, and gaped when they saw the Saiyan following behind him.
"I thought you alerted them," Videl hissed at Sharpener.
"I did," he whispered back. "But that doesn't mean they liked the idea of – "
He stopped suddenly as they noticed the ambassador's head turn slightly to the side, as if he'd heard them. When the Saiyan had resumed looking straight ahead, they sent a quick, nervous glance at one another.
"This is the Blue Sector," Sinclair continued. "On this level we have customs for incoming beings, the next level up is the quarters for the Earthforce personnel, so if you need to find any of us during non-working hours, that's the best place to look, and the level above that is the operations area, where this station is essentially run from. During out working hours, that would be a more likely place to find us, should you need anything. We will be on call 24/7."
They exited the Blue Sector and began a walk down a lengthy hallway.
"Two levels above this is the Green Sector," Sinclair said. "The ambassadorial residencies. The diplomatic meetings, as well as your quarters will be located there."
Coming to the end of the hall, they entered the Red Sector.
"One level above this, we have accommodations for beings with different atmospheric and gravitational needs," Sinclair explained. "But on this level is the Zocalo, where all of the trade and commerce takes place. Large transactions will be monitored by our commercial telepath, Ms. Erasa Winters. There are also dining and entertainment facilities, both on this level and on the second level up."
Ambassador Son nodded, then was led to a lift.
Videl stepped on after him, and awkwardly bore the thirty second ride up next to him.
Exiting the lift, they walked a ways down another hall leading back to the Green Sector, coming to a set of doors blocked by security. Upon seeing Sinclair, the officers moved to the side and let them through.
The other ambassadors had gathered, as well as the representatives from the League of Non-aligned Worlds. Their chatter immediately died down the moment the group entered, and Sinclair motioned for Videl and Sharpener to sit.
"Delegates, I would like to introduce you to the final ambassador," Sinclair began. "This is Gohan Son, representing the Saiyans."
Ambassador Son bowed slightly.
"I am honored to be here."
"Allow me to introduce your fellow ambassadors," Sinclair continued. "Ambassador Kosh of the Vorlon Empire -"
Kosh nodded.
"-Ambassador G'Kar of the Narn Regime -"
"It's a pleasure," G'Kar said in his most flattering tone. "I'm sure our two great races will make astounding progress together."
"Look who's already trying to win the Saiyans' favor," Sharpener said under his breath, rolling his eyes, but stopped suddenly when he noticed the Saiyan's quick glance in his direction.
"-Ambassador Londo Mollari of the Centauri Republic -"
"Yes, yes," Londo twitched. "I'm delighted."
"-and Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari Federation."
She nodded, then sent him a curious glance.
"If I may ask a question, Ambassador?"
"Of course."
"I could not help but notice the insignia on your breast. It is the seal of the Elite class, is it not?"
This caused many heads to glance around the room, including an exchange of glances between Commander Sinclair, Videl, and Sharpener.
"It is," he replied calmly, ignoring the quiet commotion the detail had aroused – they were all well aware that the Saiyan Elite consisted of the planet's top warriors.
"What, then," Londo spoke up. "Is the Saiyan government implying by sending a warrior to a peace station?"
The whispering ceased at the accusation, and a cold fear settled over the room as the Saiyan ambassador's eyebrows narrowed.
"It seems you are insinuating that I am not fit to hold this position," he chose his reply carefully – Videl could see that he was making an effort to stay calm, and compared to Londo and G'Kar's regular reactions to each others' comments, he was doing a fine job.
"Allow me to remind you, Ambassador," the Saiyan continued. "That I am not the only warrior in this room. You yourself were in your planet's military at one point, were you not? Commander Sinclair, the one in charge of this station, certainly was. Moreover, I would not be Saiyan if I was not a warrior."
Videl noticed G'Kar applaud softly and send a quick smirk at the Centauri.
"Let's not let this escalate into anything now," Commander Sinclair stood up. "Ambassador Son, perhaps we should show you to your quarters and leave Ambassador Mollari to make accusations about other members of the delegation."
With his eyes still narrowed, the Saiyan turned and strode out of the room with the commander, Videl and Sharpener following behind. Once out, the commander resumed the lead.
"I'm sorry about their behavior," Sinclair apologized. "How did you know, though, that Londo and I had served in our planets' militaries? I believed that the Saiyans were not interested in the affairs of other systems."
The Saiyan frowned.
"Commander, I'm embarrassed that you had such low expectations of me. Did you really think I would come here unprepared?"
The commander's jaw snapped shut at the rhetorical question, and the rest of the walk continued in silence.
End note: Chapters will begin to slow down soon, because I'm nearing the end of everything I'd written before making my account. If you get bored of waiting, feel free to browse my other stories. Also, have a look at my friend S.T.D.'s writing – she hasn't updated in a while, but maybe some reviews will motivate her. (Go to my profile and click on my favorite author.)
Reviews motivate me too.