Disclaimer: The characters used within this are mostly the property of others. I have a few originals, but the vast majority are not original. Everything here is fiction. This is for entertainment only and not for profit.

-=oOo=-

Araiansu - Chapter 55

-=oOo=-

"Finally free," Dana said with a smile as Tempest cruised normally towards the Federation outpost, when they suddenly got interrupted.

The lithe blond glared when the alarm went off. Jinto brought up details on his screen. "It says there is an emergency situation in a nearby dimension and not to blame Ranko."

"Huh?" asked Lafiel in surprise.

Dana said, "Ranko has a device which apparently receives messages from Ascended meddlers. Apparently, it copied that bit to Tempest's systems, or they added it themselves. Details?"

"None," Jinto said.

Lafiel asked, "Can we trust this source?"

"Probably," Dana said. "They certainly have their own goals, but so far we haven't regretted following their messages."

Lafiel asked, "Follow or not? Dana."

"Follow I guess. I don't really want to drag every else there at least till we know more. They are busy enough."

"Jinto?" asked Lafiel.

"If people need help, I say we go."

"Agreed. Dana can you set a course?"

"Done. The course was already available. Executing drive unlock and letting the automatics handle it. We need to learn the interface soon, but, I see no point in trying to speed things up."

Jinto said, "Estimated time of arrival is just over an hour, plus another nearly two hours in hyperspace."

Lafiel said, "Everyone arm themselves. I assume this ship can beam us back and forth on command."

Dana said, "Sure. They loaded a copy of my brother's pseudo AI Talia aboard. I just need to activate it, and done. Talia, how is the ship?"

"Tempest is operating at full capacity and executing a programmed course to target dimension. Energy usage at these rates is minimal."

Dana said, "Let us know of anything out of the ordinary, whether we are here or not. You are capable of beaming authorized personnel back and forth as needed correct?"

"Of course."

-=oOo=-

They slipped out of hyperspace near a planet and a large cylindrical rotating space station.

Less than a minute later Talia said, "I have an incoming communications request."

"Let's hear it," Dana said.

"This is commander Ivanova of Babylon 5. State the purpose of your visit."

Lafiel said, "My name is Lafiel Abriel of the independent Starship Tempest. We received information that there may be an emergency situation on or about these coordinates."

"How could you.." Susan started, then continued, "What do you know? Tell us now!"

Jinto said, "We don't actually have more information than this. If we can help, tell us how."

"Very well. We are looking for two aliens. One calls himself a soul hunter. The other is our Minbari Ambassador."

Dana said, "Talia go active scan. See if you can figure this out."

"Active scan commencing. Interfacing with local computer systems to understand situation. Minbari species identified. Ambassador identified." Her picture appeared on screen. "Soul hunter identified." His picture appeared on screen.

Talia continued. "No bioprints exist on the remote system. Permission to beam representative sample for analysis?"

"Denied," Dana said. Then she turned to the screen, "If you can get us either another Minbari or another of these soul hunters we can probably find them, but we aren't going to just kidnap someone."

"I'll have to get back to you on that. Would you like to board Babylon 5?"

Lafiel said, "No. This ship will remain outside. We can beam over if you wish, but the scan would need to be done here."

"I'll get back to you. You had better be serious about this, or there will be serious consequences."

Lafiel nodded, even as the screen went black.

Five minutes later Susan was back with someone behind her. She said, "This is Lennier. He is a Minbari."

Lennier said, "If I can help, then do so, otherwise let me get back to searching."

He flashed into existence beside them. He blinked as he quickly recovered from the unexpected movement.

Dana said, "Talia began bioprint of Lennier. Use the information to identify all Minbari on the station. Find the missing Ambassador."

"Hurry," Lennier said. "The soul hunter plans to kill her."

Jinto said, "The ship is collating, but I think this is it. On screen."

"That's her. I have to get to her now!" exclaimed Lennier.

Lafiel said, "Talia beam us all to just outside, then execute standard security protocols."

They appeared in a dark dimly lit and cluttered corridor.

Dana said, "I'll slice through the door. Lafiel end the threat. Jinto help protect Lennier and the ambassador. Move on three, two, one."

Vacuum energy blades sliced twin arches out of the door, before a final, cut it at the bottom. Dana kicked it in. It intercepted several blaster shots before Lafiel took out the attacker with her own.

The ambassador was tied to a metal table with metal restraints as her life blood ebbed out of her. A machine of some kind started glowing red. Lafiel fired three shots before Dana destroyed it the rest of the way with a ki blast.

Dana quickly, but carefully broke the restraints, quickly healing the cut in her body.

Lennier gently shook her. "Wake up Delenn. Wake up please."

Dana said, "To me." The other two grabbed onto her arms even as she grabbed onto the alien's legs. Light flared in Delenn for several minutes.

Dana said, "She is alive, but barely. We have done what we can, but her blood is odd and I'd bet the stuff that was drained is now unsafe to add back. Talia medical emergency. Bring us and the one I'm touching back to Tempest."

"What are you doing?" Lennier asked.

"Getting her into stasis to buy time. We don't know your species."

They carefully placed her into the bio bed before the shield came up. Dana quickly set several settings on the bed and then relaxed. "It is okay. The stasis is working. We need to get competent medical help, or at least some of her blood type."

"You can use mine if it will work."

Lafiel said, "There is no way of knowing without help. Your blood could as easily kill her."

Jinto said, "Talia contact Babylon 5."

"Ivanova online. What is it?"

Jinto said, "We found and rescued your ambassador but she is very week. We need medical help that knows how to treat her for blood loss over here."

Lennier said, "Please hurry."

"Understood."

A minute later the com reopened, "I'm Steven Franklin head of medbay on Babylon 5. I have only the one pint of Minbari blood that is compatible with her here." He held up a bag of red blood.

Dana asked, "Are you okay with being beamed over?"

"Sure, as long as it is safe."

"Talia do it."

He vanished in a flash and appeared next to them. He looked around before orienting on the bed and the virtual glass display.

Dana said, "Here, let me rewind to the pre stasis readings."

"We need to get her the blood now."

Dana said, "Just a minute. Let me program the bed to use the blood."

A few minutes later the blood slowly vanished.

Dana said, "That isn't really enough. I'm honestly not sure whether to drop the stasis field. Do you have anything else that you know is safe? I don't want to start guessing here. The bed does not know how to treat her."

Steven said, "I can get a bag of saline solution. That should be fine."

Jinto asked, "Talia, do we have any?"

A cabinet along the side of the wall opened, showing it was filled with several long thin tubes.

Steven asked, "Are you sure that is suitable for regular humans? If so it should work."

Lafiel asked, "Talia confirm."

"This is suitable for Furling, Human and many other species."

Lennier said, "Give me some. Make sure."

Dana said, "Not worth the risk. We will beam you back. Collect what you need and contact us."

Jinto went over and closed the cabinet.

Steven returned five minutes later. He said, "I've got two bags of saline and one bag of IV nutrition I know is compatible. I'd hesitate to give it all to her, with how little blood she has."

Dana said, "Infusing the saline solution." Five minutes later it was done. She said to Steven, "I'm going to drop the stasis field shortly. I have setup these two buttons on the screen. One will infuse the IV nutrition. Press that when we tell you. The other will infuse the remaining bag of saline solution. Do that and nothing else."

"Are you sure? We can take her back to med bay where I'm less useless."

"Yes," Dana said.

Lafiel and Jinto each put a hand on her arms. Dana dropped the shield and the stasis then walked over to the side and took Delenn's hands into hers. They glowed white before it transferred to Delenn. Ten minutes later Dana said, "Add the nutrition."

The bag slowly went flat as the transporter was used to insert the fluid into Delenn's body. Delenn woke up and looked at them curiously, before noticing Lennier.

Lennier said, "It is going to be all right Delenn."

Fifteen minutes later the glow faded. The other two released her.

Dana said, "I think it is a toss up between giving her more or not at this point." She turned to Delenn and asked, "How do you feel?"

"Very tired, but very much alive. Did you get his collection?"

"We did not Delenn," admitted Lennier.

"Do so now."

"Please explain," Lafiel said.

Lennier said, "Soul hunters collect souls into crystalline spheres. We believe he has a collection which includes some Minbari."

Dana paled. "Talia, beam him back to where we first beamed in."

Delenn smiled before falling asleep.

Dana said, "She should be fine now." She focused on Steven. "Can you check her periodically for blood cancers for a year or so? She should be fine, but accelerating the blood production like we did is not risk free."

Steven said, "I can, though she will probably see a Minbari physician as well. I don't suppose you can explain how you did all that?"

Lafiel smiled.

Dana asked, "It is a bit too early for that don't you think?"

"Can I at least get her back to med bay so I can finish treating her?"

"Of course," Dana replied. "We will beam you back and wait for you to be ready with a bed in view where she will go."

He nodded.

-=oOo=-

Jeffrey Sinclair sat beside the bed of his friend. He was about to nod off when she woke and said, "Commander Sinclair."

"Delenn I'm so glad you are alright. We found out where you were being held like five minutes later. We found his collection. I didn't know what to do with them, so when Lennier asked I gave them to him for now. The others, the ones that saved you are pretty insistent on setting um those souls free. One of them was particularly annoyed that she didn't sense them at the time, though I don't see how she could have."

Delenn said, "There are those in the universe that understand life on a deeper level than even the Minbari. I should think we have just met some of them. The Soul Hunter is dead correct?"

"He is. The other that came to warn us just left though. The young woman, Dana, she wanted to kill him. I had to push pretty hard to get her to back down. Their ship tracked him right through the gate. I still wouldn't be surprised to find out they took off after him."

"You should have let them!" cried Delenn.

"I can't just let people just kill other people Delenn. You know this. I don't think they even feared us that much, but I don't think they wanted to needlessly start trouble either."

"Please leave me Commander. I need to rest."

"Okay. Rest well Delenn."

Five minutes after the commander left, Steven stopped by. "Is everything okay here?"

"Help me to my rooms."

"Your still recovering. That much blood lost would have killed a human. Even you should not be healing this quickly. They did something to heal you and regenerate your blood."

"Will you or will you not help me?" she asked.

"Your going to go by yourself, if I do not aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Give me a minute to get you a wheelchair and I'll take you."

They arrived back at her quarters ten minutes later.

Steven said, "I'm not sure you should be leaving med bay like this."

"I will be fine."

"They told me to to tell you to check periodically for blood cancer for a year or so."

"I will see it done."

Delenn opened her door and rolled in. Steven was left outside.

Lennier remained sitting in a chair not far from the entrance of her quarters. She asked, "You have not slept have you?"

"I have kept guard as you asked."

"Can you contact the ones that helped us and tell them we will be freeing them shortly."

"I shall do so."

Delenn looked down at the simple cloth bag with reverence before wheeling off and slowly beginning to light candles. She was just finishing when the three flashed into existence, each wearing plain white robes and nothing else.

She said, "Thank you for coming. If there was time, I too would bathe and dress for the occasion, but they have suffered long enough."

Lennier came back in, still obviously exhausted.

Dana said, "There is time enough to do this right. We will guard them until this is finished."

Delenn asked, "Are you sure?"

Lafiel said, "We are."

"Well then, perhaps you can give me your names?"

"Lafiel Abriel."

"Dana Carter."

"Jinto Linn."

Delenn asked, "I am truly tired. Dana, Lafiel, will you join me in my bathing chamber."

Dana said, "Sure, but it would be better to take them with us."

"Of course."

Lafiel reverently and carefully picked the bag up and carried it with her.

After they had left, Jinto said, "You should sleep. I am armed, and I assume your door is fully locked."

"Perhaps so. One moment." He sat down at Delenn's computer console and pressed several buttons. A video display connected.

"Mr. Garibaldi, I require a favor."

"Sure thing Lennier, what is up?"

"Ambassador Delenn does not wish to be disturbed, and I am also very tired. Can you please personally guard our door with whatever help you see fit for the night?"

"Okay," Garibaldi said, obviously surprised. He continued with, "I'll be there in ten. Just let me wrap a few things up here." They waited till Garibaldi knocked.

Lennier let him in. "What's up?" He then noticed Jinto and added, "You know we have this thing called well doors and stuff."

Jinto said, "Believe me, the idea of moving around by beaming is quite new to me as well."

"I presume you are here to see this Soul Hunter's collection destroyed," Garabaldi said.

Jinto nodded.

"You do know that the fact that you have such tech is liable to get out. We have tried to keep it under wraps, but well, I don't trust everyone who knows."

Jinto pulled a com from his pocket. "Talia status report. Are there any current threats on extended range sensors?"

"Sensors detect a large ship of an unfamiliar design on a route through the local hyperspace gate network. Records scanned from Babylon 5 indicate the ship is a capital ship of Centauri design. It will be through the local gate in approximately forty seven minutes."

"Well that is lovely," Garibaldi said.

Lennier said, "I sent for backup when Delenn was captured. They should be here in the next couple hours."

Jinto said, "Talia engage full stealth. Find a place to hide. Be back online in twelve hours."

Garibaldi's link chirped. "Garibaldi, where are you?" Ivanova asked.

"I'm doing a favor and standing guard in Ambassador Delenn's quarters."

"Their ship just vanished. Do you know anything about it?"

"Confirmed. It is going to hide for now. Just to add to the fun, apparently Molari found out and has a warship about forty five minutes out. The Minbari have their own expected an hour or so later. I would expect others to come soon as well in the hopes of gaining the beaming technology, to say nothing of whatever else they have over there."

Susan replied, "Confirmed. I'll brief the commander."

Garabaldi asked, "Is your group planning on staying long?"

"Probably not," added Jinto. "The others wanted to give Delenn and Lennier a chance to rest before we freed the souls they captured."

"Is there anything we can do to speed this up?" asked Garibaldi.

Jinto smiled. "Probably not, though if it becomes necessary we will of course defend ourselves."

"You think your ship can take out a Centauri warship?" asked Michael.

"Dunno, but I'd bet the people who lent us Tempest could. I have seen a battle record where a single one of their ships took out over a hundred enemy ships in the first minute of battle."

"You're not serious."

Lafiel walked out, still wearing her white robe and looking pristine. She said, "I assure you he is. His people and their alliance completely caught my people by surprise and we rule half a galaxy. The other half tried to start a war with us. So far our new allies with very little help from us have easily halted every action that has been started without a single casualty on our side once they arrive at a battle."

"Great. I'd like to go talk to the commander. Are you okay to guard on your own for now?"

"We are," Lafiel said.

"I'm going to add some more guards outside anyway."

"Please do so," Lennier said.

-=oOo=-

Londo Molari smiled as their war cruiser exited the jump gate. He pressed the button to connect to the bridge. "I demand to speak to Commander Sinclair at once!"

Commander Sinclair said, "Yes Ambassador, how can I help you?"

"You have been developing technologies that destabilize the galaxy. I demand you turn them over to the Centauri Republic at once."

WIth excessive patience Sinclair said, "We are doing no such thing. If your ship does anything we will defend ourselves."

"It is something to do with Delenn. The guards outside her door make that obvious. I demand to talk to her."

"If Ambassador Delenn wants to speak with you then I'm sure she will take your calls. Now Ambassador it has been a long day."

"You will tell me where that ship went now Commander."

"Londo, there is no world that exists where I take orders from you. If your ship doesn't behave we will defend ourselves. Now whether or not you believe you could take on Babylon 5 by yourself, you have to know that the Minbari are also coming, and well, didn't you just say something about some other ship? I would think long and hard about your actions. Sinclair out."

Ivanova asked, "Think that will stop them?"

"Not sure. Needless to say I'm not going to bed until this is all resolved. Garibaldi didn't think they would hurry up easily."

"Yah well, the ability to beam people wherever they want is a game changer. What does armor mean, if they can just beam a small nuke in place and move onto the next?" asked Ivanova.

"I wonder if there is a defense," mused Sinclair.

"If there is, I can hardly think they are likely to tell us it."

"It just goes to show you that there is always someone stronger. Just think of the power we wield ourselves compared to people a couple hundred years ago."

"I know."

-=oOo=-

Four robe clad forms reverently watched as Delenn carefully broke each orb. What was inside would caress each of the people in the room before vanishing. This occurred twenty five times before it was over.

When they were done Delenn said, "Thank you for all of your efforts on this."

Lafiel replied, "It is only what honor dictated. I didn't know the honored dead could be abused so, but this could not stand."

"I did," Dana said. "That particular crime is worth the death penalty by at least half the alliance, maybe more. I was seriously thinking of firing anyway, but I didn't want to alienate these people. We will have to report it. The hunters may find themselves hunted."

"If the Minbari can be of any assistance, then let us know."

"We will."

Her doorbell rang. In front of the door was Ambassador Kosh surrounded by security guards. He entered. The door closed.

"Leave. Leave now." he said to the new group.

Delenn said, "I was considering asking if they would aid us in what comes."

"It is not yet their time," Kosh added cryptically.

"When will it be our time?" asked Jinto curiously.

Dana said, "He is in the middle somehow; touching on ascended, but not fully. Curious."

"Leave now," demanded Kosh.

Delenn said, "You probably should leave if Kosh believes it is this important."

Dana said, "Wait a minute. What does someone who smells of Ascension or the next thing to it, get off telling those of us still mortal what to do?"

-=oOo=-

On the bridge Sinclair heard, "I'm getting an energy spike."

"Where?"

"It is hard to localize. Near the ambassador quarters."

He touched his link and said, "Garibaldi."

"Already on it. The Delenn's door is locked. Kosh just entered."

"Ah hell."

"Tell me about it."

-=oOo=-

The trio was blasted against the back of the room.

Lafiel tried to retrieve her blaster but was unable to, pinned against the wall like she was. Jinto was fairing no better.

Dana snarled and launched a massive ki blast right at Kosh.

"Kosh," exclaimed Delenn, even as Lennier sleepily stumbled back in.

Kosh vanished the blast somehow.

Dana launched twin vacuum blades that he tried to vanish as well, but they did not stop. They severely injuring the Vorlon.

"Stop," commanded Delenn.

"Why?" asked Lafiel in obviously annoyance. "He tried to kill."

Lennier said, "If a Vorlon wanted you dead, you would be dead. This was something else. I can't believe you injured him."

Kosh said weakly, "This is why you must leave. It is not for you to make the choice for them."

Dana asked, "To do what, tell some meddlers that they don't always get to have their way?"

"Open up in there," Garibaldi shouted.

"Computer, seal the entry," stated Delenn. Then more loudly she added, "Remain outside Mr. Garbaldi. That is not a request."

Kosh nodded, surprising everyone there, but most of all Delenn.

Delenn said quietly, "We know that the ancient enemy stirs."

"So two powerful ancient races, both more energy than matter manipulating people like pawns?" Dana guessed.

Kosh again nodded. He asked quietly, "Would you have us leave them to the others?"

Delenn said, "I hadn't planned to say this, but I have been Kosh's friend for a long time. He told me the truth. The Shadows encourage wars to start. They try to force the younger races to evolve and grow through war and struggle. The Vorlon's value order and steady progress."

"How long have you known all this?" asked Lennier in obvious concern.

"I've known for some time. I worked with Kosh when I was the chosen of Dukhat before he was killed. We need the Vorlons or the shadows will probably kill us all causing untold death in the process."

Dana asked, "Do you need help to heal?"

"No." Kosh stood, his encounter suit repairing around him.

"This isn't right," Lafiel said. "If people are to die for a cause they should at least know what the cause is."

"I agree," Delenn said. "Kosh has always said otherwise. He believes that such knowledge should be obtained through hard work, not given."

"What a mess," said Jinto. "I know many on my world were severely pissed when the Abh invaded. Their apparent lack of care, as if conquering another planet was next on their to do list did not help."

"I'm sorry for that," Lafiel said.

"You didn't do it."

"My family did. Dusanyu is my father's brother."

Dana said, "Kosh has asked us to leave. What value does our staying add? You know a lot wouldn't believe us, and even if they did, how do we actually help? Handing out tech is not permitted. Even if they used it correctly initially, what I read of these races would say they would be using it to kill and invade each other next. We would be stirring up trouble in different places, but not really solving anything. Sure we could say pick the Minbari side, and maybe shorten any coming conflict, but the Alliance has enough issues, and us inadvertently forcing them into another benefits nobody. I think Kosh is correct that once they learn enough to grow up and tell all sides to either cooperate or take a hike they will be better off."

She continued, "I just don't know. We are forcing part of our own government on our own planet to tell the truth because at least half of them won't if not forced to. Problems are solvable, when people choose to work together and solve them. That is what the Alliance is about, but no one can become a member of the alliance without being willing to do the work and sacrifice. Tell me Kosh, when do you think most of the people here will be ready for that?"

Kosh said nothing.

Delenn said, "The Vorlons have a saying. Understanding is a three edged sword. Their side, your side, and the truth."

"Far too often that is true," Dana agreed.

Jinto said, "I can see it with the Abh and the United Mankind as well. Clearly the propaganda from the United Mankind is worse, but the Abh do not always understand entirely the consequences of their actions and do not always make the effort to try."

Lafiel looked ashamed, but the other two put their arm around her.

Delenn asked, "If a time came when they had learned, could you possibly consider helping us then?"

Dana started to answer, but Lafiel looked at her and she remained quiet.

Lafiel asked, "And if we needed help, would you also come?"

"It is agreed," Kosh said.

Delenn said, "My position is not what it was, but I also agree."

Dana said, "Then come with us now. I want to know if as one of the elder races Kosh can improve on the Alliances plan to remove Al Hazard and restore normal dimensional space before it eventually leads to a collapse. Heck, I'll take some feedback on the mess with the infinity stones as well."

"Agreed." Kosh added.

Dana asked, "Talia, are you online?"

"I am online and back on station. Would you like to come across now?"

"Bring everyone in this room across."

They vanished. On the bridge the energy wave of their transport was recorded.

When they got there Dana led them to the large central area used for research. "Talia, you do have our updated plan for Al Hazard in secure storage correct?"

"Confirmed."

"Unlock it."

"Does Lafiel Abriel agree?"

"Agreed. Unlock it and prepare the sim."

"Does Jinto Linn agree?"

"Agreed. Do it."

They watch as the sim played out, as the massive space time bubble generators on all the ships grew to contain the entirety of Al Hazard and collapsed it in a controlled way.

"Words fail me," Lennier said.

"This will fail," Kosh said. "You read the notes, but do not hear the music."

Lafiel asked, "What do you suggest?"

"I think I know. I hope I'm wrong, but I think I know," Dana said.

"Tell us," asked Lafiel.

Dana asked, "Talia, do you have a record of the dimensional tear closure Nozomi and all the rest did in the Starfleet universe?"

"Record available, but also encrypted with triple lock. Do you wish to unlock?"

"Yes." The other two quickly added, "Do it."

"Record released."

"Run the recording here."

They watched in silence as those ships were led by the one ancient ship and its oh so fragile crew and one now truly sentient android.

Kosh said, "You do know how to listen."

"Yah," Dana said. "Except we know Al Hazard has who knows how many dark remnants of ancient magical engineering around just waiting to rip the soul of anyone stupid enough to mess with it. A living ship actively extending their essence to keep an up to date understanding would be killed. Just going through that place with temporal shielding set to maximum is scary enough, let alone facing it directly."

"A task begins at the beginning, not the end," added Kosh.

"We get it," Dana said. Then she added, "It is just what you are asking would means countless sacrifices trying to deconstruct that place piece by piece, before we collapsed the main mess, that is assuming the ones we lost didn't make the mess worse."

"You still do not understand," he added.

Lafiel said, "Well if the living ships could direct the collapse if they themselves were not harmed by the defenses, then we need to protect them so they can do their job."

"There is only the three," Dana said. "It is not as if we make it a habit of transferring people's souls into ships. Two of them were from long ago. One is recent."

Delenn gasped before said softly, "Vorlon ships are living."

Dana said, "We already have mages in two of the three ships, but that is not likely to be what you mean. Do you have anything special in this universe?"

Delenn said, "Telepaths. Many races have telepaths. Some are extremely strong."

Dana turned to Kosh. "You reacted strongly to her mentioning telepaths. Why. Are enough of them the key?"

"A key perhaps. Locks can have many keys."

Lafiel said, "No matter what, we have to return and inform what we have. I'd prefer not to transmit this even with a one use preshared key stream."

Dana asked, "Will you three come with us?"

"Yes," Kosh said.

Lennier looked to Delenn who nodded. He nodded as well.

Jinto said, "Let's go to the bridge and let Babylon 5 know. I can't believe this was supposed to be a trip to someplace for us to learn important stuff, only to get diverted here and learn what we have."

-=oOo=-

Lafiel contacted Babylon 5.

"Sinclair here. What can we do for you Tempest?"

He then noticed Kosh and Delenn in the background before adding, "What is going on?"

Kosh said, "Enlightenment."

Lafiel explained in more detail.

"Can I ask when Kosh, Delenn and Lennier will be returning?" he tried.

"In the fullness of time," Delenn said.

"What can you tell me?" he tried.

Delenn said, "We will be back, likely in a few days. I will resume my duties then."

"Very well. Then we wish you well Tempest."

The screen went dark. Tempest never appeared.

He asked, "Did we get a fix on them when they opened a com?"

"Negative commander."

-=oOo=-

"Now what?" Lafiel asked. "This ship cannot cross Al Hazard."

Dana said, "I think they were going to be seeding stealth warning satellites in the Starfleet universe. I'll send a message to Othalla, Earth, and the there universe and see if we can get an update on their location."

Fifteen minutes later they got a reply. Dana read it and said, "Got it. They are still in the Starfleet universe, apparently looking for us."

"That's great," Jinto said dryly.

"Let's get going," Dana said.

Lafiel said, "I want to start adapting to this new interface system. We can do that during the trip can't we?"

"We can," Dana agreed. "The automatics handle the transit. Okay, unlocking the D-Drive. All locks released. Firmware checks out. The record of our last journey looks good. Talia, can you confirm we are good to go for dimensional travel?"

"All checks confirmed from what I can tell. I am forbidden from direct drive access, so I cannot investigate further."

Kosh said, "Verified."

"That works," Dana said. "Journey beginning, and I suppose pilot training beginning."

"I'm surprised you had not already done this," said Delenn.

Dana said, "They wired Tempest up to use our high speed piloting interface. Us using it was not considered at the time and we expected to probably not use her much once we got to our destination."

Kosh asked, "Why are you linked?"

Lafiel said, "Lots of reasons. In hindsight most were bad. A good deal of it was my fault, but thankfully we don't regret it."

Kosh suddenly made a strange sound that was hard to understand.

Delenn asked, "Kosh, are you laughing?"

"I'm sure, it couldn't be that," Lennier added.

The noise got louder.

The rest of the trip was spent with them going through interface training in the now enlarged pilots seating area.

-=oOo=-

Benjamin Sisko was irritated. When the alien vessel was sighted Dax had rapidly identified it as the one who had helped Enterprise, or perhaps Enterprise helped it to close that rift. He had been ordered to extend every courtesy to them, so when they mentioned missing crew members he had organized a search for them without prompting, even when the leader of the group assured him that there was no need.

His irritation wasn't so much over all of that. The subsequent message sent from Captain Picard of the three near children coming to stay was irritating. He didn't even particularly like Picard, and if he wanted to play host to celebrities he had a perfectly good ship to do so.

To top it off, he had one Vedek Winn going around on a war path to try to find something to bitch about, and she found a great deal. He had not wanted this job, and he did not get the resources to take it seriously. They had only just survived the Cardassians trying to take back what they said was theirs when all this stirred up.

"Ops to Sisko"

"Go ahead Dax."

"You might want to head to Keiko's school. Apparently Vedek Winn disapproves of Keiko's teaching, and well it is getting interesting in there."

He sighed. "On my way."

When he opened the door the Vedek was half shouting.

"How dare you! How dare you doubt the prophets?" screamed the Vedek.

The blond visitor stated calmly, "Please explain how one definition is correct and one is incorrect."

"It is the temple of the gods! Everything else is blasphemy."

Sam said, "I've met beings with the power of a god. When you get past the exterior, they are often just people with power. They make mistakes and screw up like anyone else."

"That is blasphemy! The gods are perfect!"

"That is an assumption not a fact, unless you have some proof, and even then, it is basically impossible to prove perfection since it requires perfect and complete knowledge, which is impossible."

Keiko said not entirely quietly, "I like her."

Benjamin palmed his head, irritated that Keiko had drawn attention to him.

"The gods are perfect. Only the perfect can heal with the powers of god!"

"Really? I'm a fair hand at healing. I suppose I could heal someone. Would that mean I am a god? Perhaps your local doctor is a god? To someone from not that long ago they would be hard pressed to tell the difference."

"You lie!" spat Winn.

"Actually," a female Ranma said from the doorway, "she doesn't, however, I doubt there is any point in demonstrating to you."

"And why exactly is that child?" asked Vedic Winn with obvious condescension.

"Because I'm fairly sure that when presented with a fact that contradicts your worldview you would rationalize it away, thus making this whole exercise a waste of time."

"Oh, I am quite entertained child. I think we should expose your vile lies for what they are."

Ranma said dryly, "Okay, I think I know where their sick bay is. Let's see if the Doctor will let us treat any patients."

Benjamin said, "I'm not too sure I will permit this, but I suppose we can see what the doctor says."

It turned out that Doctor Bashir had several Bajorans in sick bay that were injured.

Ranma tried to explain, but the good Doctor clearly was not so easily convinced.

Doctor Bashir said, "If you think I'm going to let random quacks touch my patients you are crazy."

Sam said, "Can you cut my arm or something with a scalpel. I'll heal that, so you can verify that we are not crazy."

Bashir looked at Sisko who threw up his hands.

"If you are lying, I'll have to consider admitting you, or send you to Odo to be locked up."

"We aren't lying," Ranma said simply.

Vedic Winn looked on smugly.

Bashir carefully sterilized her skin before saying, "That is curious. You have no scars or imperfections of any kind."

"Get on with it," Sam said with amusement.

He carefully used a laser scalpel to cut a thin line on the top of her arm. Blood immediately welled up.

Ranma said, "Let me do it. If you do it, she may say it only works on you or something."

"Let her do it," the Vedic demanded.

Sam carefully moved her hand over the spot. A line of white light quickly closed and then erased the cut. All that remained was the blood that hadn't been removed.

Doctor Bashir pulled out a Tricorder and scanned it, then rechecked his laser scalpel before asking, "How did you do that?"

"Well it wasn't the power of the gods," she said dryly.

"It is fake or an evil power. I will not permit you to touch any of my people," the Vedic said.

Sam said dryly, "I'm shocked. Totally shocked. This was totally unpredictable. I'm sure her next step won't be a threat, probably try to force her way or demand obedience, or storm out."

"You will pay for your blasphemy." half shouted the Vedic before stomping her way out of the infirmary.

Sisko asked, "While the healing is nice, what exactly was the point of that losing battle? You knew the outcome before you started."

Ranma said, "She wants to indoctrinate kids with nonsense. We can't abide that."

The patient farthest in asked, "You say you can heal?"

"Sure," Sam said.

"Can you fix my spine? The doctor said it was shattered."

Ranma said, "We should be able to."

"I don't want to piss off the Vedic, but maybe we can try and not mention it?" the older man asked wryly.

"Sure," Sam agreed.

Doctor Bashier said, "Are you sure you want to risk it? I think I can add implants that eventually allow you some mobility."

"Can't get any work done as a cripple. Let them try."

Ranma and Sam stood on either side of his bed and took his hands in theirs. Ranma said, "Spine's are not easy. This may take an hour or so."

They glowed with white light for the next hour and a half until the light dimmed.

Doctor Bashir instantly went to the wall to re-scan the patient. He said, "I can't believe this, but it looks like they healed him. A bunch of the damaged muscles are still weak but physical therapy will fix that."

Sam said, "We did what we could. Do follow your doctors orders. We would hate to see our work wasted."

"Thanks," the guy said. "What do I owe you?"

"Nothing."

Rommie's voice said over their comms, "You seemed to be having such fun we didn't want to interrupt, but I confirmed Tempest has returned to this dimension about ninety minutes ago. They should be here within the next twenty minutes. Apparently, they now have a copy of the system Ranko's Luna has and have guests with them. They did say nothing was urgent."

Sisko said, "If something is going on, I need to know."

Sam said, "We don't actually know yet. I doubt it has anything to do with this place."

Benjamin halted his next words and forced himself to composure before speaking. He said, "We need to talk."

Ranma said, "So it would seem. How do you want to do this?"

"My office."

The doctor looked on in concern. He added, "I would greatly like to understand how they did this if possible."

Benjamin said, "Fair enough. My office."

-=oOo=-

Author's Note: If your still along for this fun ride, drop a note, add a kudos, bookmark or something.