Rich: The scene of troops attacking the Palace of Nations or of Palpatine's troops attacking the Jedi Temple is a very common scene in human history. One of the most recent is that of President Boris Yeltsin's troops attacking the Russian Parliament after the president's order of dissolving the parliament.
grayangle: I've peppered most of my chapters with nods and references to other stories. Have fun looking for them! ;)
Agent-G: Originally, the Constitution-refit ship was supposed to have a saucer separation in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It was to fit Kirk's statement of saucer separation in one of the TOS episodes. Even though the separation didn't make the movie, the producers have left a red line at where the ship's neck meets the saucer. Look at it closely and you'll see it.
Yes, the Stargate and Dune stuff is a bit left field. The B5 universe, to me, has plenty of room for references to other stories. For fun, I speculated that there was a Dune civilization belonging to the Ancients/Preservers in the distant past. It will play a role, if small, in later chapters.
I'll tell you this: the Enterprise-B is at this time still under construction. There will be a role for it later on.
"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." –John Adams, political philosopher and second President of the United States, 1790-1801 CE, Earth
Julie Musante picked up and examined an open black velvet box. "You have some very impressive objects here, Captain. EarthForce Silver Star for Valor in the Minbari War, commendations, your orders of promotion. Except for the Seal of the Earth Alliance, I really don't see much that gives a sense of walking into the heart of the Earth Government on Babylon 5."
Captain John Sheridan took a moment to form a response. He took back the display box containing the Silver Star and said, "It's, uh, nice of you to do your job as a political officer. But I don't need one."
"Oh, but EarthDome disagrees!" Julie took a seat on the office couch. "Things are very...touchy back home, Captain. In light of the new order taking shape in Earth Central, I'm here to help you make decisions that are more politically astute than they have been recently."
"Now just a minute! I don't—"
Julie smiled at Sheridan who was looking offended. She said with wide innocent eyes, "I'm only repeating what I've been told. No need to kill the messenger!" She patted the empty seat next to her. Sheridan knew he was walking a tightrope with EarthGov, so he sat in the couch with her. She slid close to him and continued in a confidential manner, "Your decisions might have been correct—on some level, but there are ways of doing things so that they reflect more favorably on the Earth Government. And so it was decided that you needed a political officer. Someone who could whisper in your ear, who could warn you about government policies that you might bump into. Someone who could keep you from making mistakes that might jeopardize your career back home."
Throughout Julie's speech, her body language was that of a woman showing her interest in a man at a bar.
Sheridan might have been without a woman for a long time ever since his wife, Anna Sheridan, went on the ill-fated Icarus mission. He stood up quickly. "Get this straight, Ms. Musante! This is my command! My position as military governor is guaranteed under the charter of the Babylon Project!"
"Yes, I've read it. It does not exclude the presence of a political officer. But perhaps you could show me the paragraph that I missed."
Sheridan got angry. The woman slipped into insolence too easily! "This is a military outpost!"
"Which answers to a civilian government. Decisions made by military officers must reflect current government policies. The President proposes and the military disposes." Julie quickly put on a look of good-humored false shocked surprise. "Unless there's been a coup and no one told me!"
The captain had to take a deep breath to keep himself from blowing up at Julie. "The President invested me with sole authority here. Unless I received orders to the contrary, I refuse to share that authority with an unqualified civilian!"
Julie now stood up, angry. "And no one is asking you to! I am simply here to advise!" She calmed down and spoke with a controlled voice. "Captain, the decision's already been made. There's nothing we can do about it. So I suggest that we do what we can to live with it amicably. For starters—"
Commander Susan Ivanova walked into the captain's office. "Sorry, Ms. Musante. There's a call for you, Captain. It's from EarthDome."
A delighted smile quickly appeared on Julie's face. "Perfect timing! I think that will be the orders you need to ease your conscience." She shook the captain's hand amicably. "I must go. Believe me when I say that I sincerely want to help you."
As the blonde left his office, Ivanova threw a quizzical look at Sheridan. "Is there a problem, Captain?"
He shrugged and chuckled bitterly. "I need a glass of whiskey, a gun and two bullets."
The station's executive officer gave her captain a wry look. "Understood. Anytime you want, I'll arrange a Russian Roulette for her."
Sheridan chuckled, cheered a bit, and turned, straightening his uniform, while the commander went to the vidscreen to input orders to relay the call from EarthDome.
On the vidscreen, a general came on. Sheridan recognized Lieutenant General O'Reilly.
"General O'Reilly."
"Captain Sheridan. I don't have a lot of time here. Things are out of control down here, Captain. We don't know what the hell's going on!"
Sheridan and Ivanova shared another look, puzzled and confused. The call wasn't about Julie Musante, after all. "What about the Senate? Can't they do something?"
"Clark just issued an Executive Order dissolving the Senate! Half of them are on the run now! A bunch more have been arrested! The rest are holed up in their offices, refusing to leave! They're calling in every favor they can, John, trying to get support from the military under the Constitution. But it doesn't look good."
"Oh, my God!" breathed Ivanova. It sounded too much like her history lessons in school: President Boris Yeltsin moving against the Russian Duma.
"Where's General Hague?" Sheridan asked anxiously.
"He was on his way back from the clean-up at Jupiter when all hell broke loose! Nobody's heard from him since Monday. He—" The flash and noise of explosions
came through the general's office window. O'Reilly's face blanched. "Oh no!" He pressed a button on his desk and monitors behind him came alive, showing soldiers in a street firefight. "The Elite Guard just opened fire on the Senate! I have to go! I just wanted you to know... General Hague's last communiqué had a message for you. He said, 'Everything's gone to hell, John. God help us all! You're on your own!'" General
O'Reilly now appeared to want to run out of his chair, but he leaned forward and whispered, "That woman you've just met...don't trust her! When you talk to her, you're talking to the President himself!" The general jumped from his chair and ran off.
Sheridan and Ivanova looked at each other in shock.
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The noise of uniformed men and women wearing the NightWatch armband subsided when Julie Musante entered the conference center. She appeared to be a friendly university professor who had arrived for her lecture. She began.
"As some of you may know, I am Julie Musante. I have been assigned here by the Ministry of Peace, NightWatch Division, under the direct authority of the Earth Alliance President himself. The Ministry is proud of what you all have done for the Earth Alliance. You all have been doing your bit to keep our people safe. However, certain changes are being implemented. Not just for Babylon 5, but for the whole Alliance."
The political officer allowed a buzz of excitement going through the room before continuing.
"It will be inappropriate for EarthForce personnel to publicly criticize the government or its decisions. Violations of this will result in immediate fines and penalties."
A voice called out, "What about civilians?"
"Well, that's not something you need to worry about. Just take down the information and pass it along. We'll take it from there. The new policies also expand the range of investigation to include past associations, families, and friends who might draw others into situations that may be compromising not only for them, but for all of humanity... Is there a problem, Sergeant Allan?"
Zack Allan had been squirming uncomfortably in his seat toward the end of Julie's answer. "Well, yeah! Babylon 5 Security is supposed to act according to the rules of due process."
"When enforcing criminal law, that's correct. But you are now an arm of the Political Office, and that widens the scope of your authority. You are empowered to examine station publications to ensure that they are ideologically correct for humanity. We've revised the rules of evidence to make them more flexible."
"You keep saying 'humanity.' Do our powers include...the other humans? You know, the ones who say they're members of a Federation Starfleet."
Julie looked delighted as if Zack Allan had suddenly become her star student. "They are humans, therefore they came from Earth. Yes, they claimed to be from an Earth in another universe. Do they have any way to go back there? It is our duty to offer our own Earth as a home for these lost humans. Of course, they will need...an education in order to make their integration into our society smooth. That is part of your job as well."
Even though Julie didn't say it out right, the words 're-education camps' hung in the air. A guard, looking very uncomfortable, said, "Isn't all this a little...extreme?"
"Yes," said Julie, showing herself to be a honest Earther concerned with the solidarity of Earthers. She began to pace. "Yes, it is. I shouldn't be telling you this yet, but in the coming months, certain individuals will be purged from their government positions on charges of sedition, immoral conduct, even spying for alien governments! With our basic freedoms at stake, no response can be too extreme. The President's current martial law was one such extreme response, a response that saved our mother world from attack by aliens. Without it, these aliens, called the Borg, would have brought the horrors of the Line back to Earth or worse! The martial law in Earth Central and some other minor and temporary abridgements in the traditionally protected areas of speech and association, are temporary but only until this crisis is over!" Julie Musante paced past some posters reminiscent of the 'Soviet realism' of the 1930's. "We have been betrayed on nearly every level! Somehow, the Borg knew exactly where to go! We don't know who told them, exactly, but we have discovered an alien spy-ship. All I can say is that its design is very similar to other ships of those who call themselves 'Federationers.'"
Gasps of shock and surprise rippled through the audience.
"That is why it is going to take the efforts of every loyal citizen to keep Earth safe and ideologically pure!"
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Sheridan and Ivanova strode hurriedly into the C&C dome. They were momentarily surprised to see Julie Musante coming out of the transport tube and joining them. Sheridan silently took it in stride and began speaking even as he walked through the door into C&C.
"By now, you've all heard the news. In response to the Borg attack at the Sol System, President Clark has declared martial law back home. In case of further attacks, the President is extending his decree of martial law, and ordered Mars and Io to enact similar extensions. Now, they haven't hit us yet, but you can be sure that order will come soon."
Ivanova said, "All communications to Earth have been blacked out since 0800 this morning. Only the Gold Channels are still functioning, but those are to be used for official military business only."
The crew listened gloomily while Julie Musante nodded slightly to each point, as if she gave Sheridan and Ivanova a script to read out.
"I know many of you have family back on Earth," said Sheridan. "We're doing everything we can to find out what's going on. Meanwhile, I ask you to stay at your posts and continue as if everything is status quo. We've got a lot of nervous people here, and I need every one of you to help calm things down."
Ivanova stole a frown at Julie. "It's possible that some of the other governments may take this as an opportunity to move against us, so we must maintain combat readiness. Continue the fly-by's. I want at least one squadron on patrol outside the station at all times."
"Any questions?"
Lieutenant David Corwin was shaken by the news. "Captain, how did this happen? What did we do wrong?"
Sheridan glanced at both Ivanova and Julie. Ivanova was looking grimly impassive, while the political officer nodded her encouragement. The captain couldn't risk saying anything that would expose the Conspiracy, anything that would have him called before an inquiry either on Babylon 5 or even back at Earth Central. He again thought of Kirk on Mars. He wondered if Julie Musante would be a key witness in that inquiry. He was taking too long to answer Corwin.
Julie stepped in. "We didn't do anything wrong, Mr. Corwin. Not when it was aliens who attacked us, not when it was aliens who forced the martial law issue. The captain and the commander here suggested heightened vigilance. That is the right response to the crisis at hand. Remember, it was one of our esteemed ancestors, Thomas Jefferson, who said, 'Vigilance is the price of freedom.' All of us are only participating in the tried and true methods of keeping our people, our families and friends safe..."
As Julie droned on, Sheridan and Ivanova shared a long look, careful not to betray any thought.
xxxxxxx
Michael Garibaldi came down the corridor outside C&C. "Hey, there you are. Did you hear the latest?"
Sheridan looked over his shoulder to see Julie Musante through the tiny port-window in the door. She was still 'inspiring' the crew. "No, what?"
"They just put out a nine-system alert for General Hague. Now, the word is he's trying to organize a counterstrike. If he can get enough big ships to sign on, he can go toe-to-toe with President Clark."
Sheridan and Ivanova were amazed. A military coup in response to the President's own internal EarthGov coup! The Russian woman blurted, "They'll never allow that! They'll throw everything they've got at him!"
"He's been our contact from the start!" said Sheridan. "They get him, they get us! A lot of ships were called to Jupiter to deal with the Borg. Many are still there. If enough of them go over to Hague's side...but many would stay at Clark's side. We could have another shooting war at Jupiter!"
The nearby transport tube opened and Ambassador Miranda Jones came out.
Garibaldi frowned. "Ambassador, we're having a private meeting going on over here."
Miranda coolly looked at Garibaldi. "Yes, I know. It's a good thing your PsiCorps doesn't have any telepath nearby. Your thoughts are leaking all over the place. I could hear them all the way from my quarters."
The Earthers were taken aback. Even though Miranda was an ally, their nervousness about powerful telepaths extended to her. If she wasn't exaggerating, she could possibly be stronger than even a PsiCop.
Ivanova doubted it, though. She couldn't imagine any PsiCop being bested by another human telepath. PsiCops were ever bested only a very few times: once by Jason Ironheart, and that was when he was 'evolving' into a higher state of being, and again by Talia Winters when she linked with other telepaths of the Underground Railroad. The thought of Talia pained her, and she glared at Miranda for bringing the memory up. "What is it? If it's something important, we can talk later."
Miranda then shifted her cool gaze to Ivanova, causing a chill to go up the Russian's spine. She knew that the Federation ambassador's blindness was sidestepped by her jeweled sensor net, but it just wasn't natural for a totally blind person to look at her so clearly and sharply.
"It is something important. It concerns your General Hague."
"Go on...," said Sheridan, his curiosity piqued.
"The general have sent an encrypted message to me, asking for assistance from the Federation. Of course, Starfleet is not in the business of stepping into someone else's affairs. I would—"
Sheridan raised his hands to stop the ambassador. "We appreciate that, but we'd prefer to keep this thing to ourselves. Any outside involvement will only confirm what Clark's been saying all along: aliens are corrupting humans." Disgust showed his opinion of that.
"Of course, Captain. I was about to say that I would have given you some small help, but the Starfleet Judge Advocate General's representative was with me when General Hague's call came through. I was forced to refuse and to relay his request to Starfleet Command through Captain Shaw. If, however, the general comes either here or to the Quantum Gate and request asylum, it will be a different story."
Garibaldi shook his head. "This is bad."
"Yeah," said Sheridan. "I've never seen it any worse!"
ISN
"...with continued reports of heavy fighting outside the occupied Senate. Meanwhile, President Clark has offered amnesty to anyone willing to surrender. Senator Borishevsky of the Russian Consortium is urging citizens to surround the Senate in a living barrier..."
Babylon 5
Ambassador Miranda Jones stepped into the transport tube and ordered the computer to take her to the diplomatic quarters. Her exterior spoke of calm. Inside, she was angry. Areel Shaw interfered in her work to patch things up with the Earth Alliance. The idiocy of the Earth Alliance president was interfering in her work with the InterStellar Alliance.
She had thought of putting her work on hold upon the reappearance of the Federation, but with the Shadows roaming this galaxy, forging a new federation in this universe was still important.
The tube car stopped and the door opened. It was Julie Musante of Earth's so-called Ministry of Peace.
"Ms. Jones."
Miranda arched an eyebrow. The omission of her diplomatic title spoke volumes of the Earth woman's opinion of her. She obliged with her own reciprocation. "Ms. Musante."
The two women silently stared at the door as the tube car moved through Babylon 5. Miranda decided to try and reach out to the Earth Alliance. "Ms. Musante."
The blonde turned to Miranda with barely disguised distaste. "Hmm?"
"Ms. Musante, as you may know, I am the ambassador for the United Federation of Planets. I know that the Earth Alliance doesn't really like us. It was not our intention to be offensive. It is actually our goal to make peace with everyone we meet."
"It is a little late for that, isn't it? Spying on us and doing nothing while the Borg destroy our ships!"
Miranda frowned at Julie. The Earther was being vindictive. "Ms. Musante, please! We were not 'doing nothing.' Our ship managed to destroy the Borg, did it not?"
"After the enemy ship was already damaged by another battle."
It was going to be difficult to reach Julie, Miranda could see. "That is true. The Federation is prepared to make reparations and help you recover. We are prepared to do that in spite of the fact you are holding one of our citizens in custody."
"What citizen? I am not aware of any of your people being held." A smirk on Julie's face said otherwise. "What Federation? All you have is just two ships here, with another destroyed at Jupiter. You are not a government. You are separatists, pirates, mercenaries!"
"Before, we were just two ships. Now a third ship sits outside this station. Does that not tell you that the Federation exists?"
"That tiny ship?" Julie made a dismissive sound. "It could be easily built at some alien world around here."
"I assure you that the Federation exists. There is a way open to the Federation universe—"
"More like the services of the Vree!"
Miranda was now trying hard to be patient with this petulant woman. "Ms. Musante! Please! Whether you believe the Federation exists or not, we are still prepared to negotiate for Captain Kirk's release in exchange for help to search for salvaging efforts at Wolf 359 and Jupiter, and in exchange for peace between our two peoples."
Julie's smile became a sneer. "More attempts at spying? At destabilizing the Earth Alliance? What you're telling me is that your precious Federation is afraid of what EarthForce could do! Mark my words, Ms. Jones, EarthForce will stop your piracy, free your humans and bring them home. The aliens on your ships will be punished for enslaving the humans. You are a telepath, right? You must then know that it is inevitable for you to work for PsiCorps, the only proper place for telepaths to function in human society. Refuse and you won't be a telepath anymore." Julie turned back to look at the door. "Even if you bring in the other alien worlds on your behalf, your 'Federation' is going down."
What childish and dangerous behavior! Miranda's anger was such that she couldn't resist a small telepathic strike. She gently reached into Julie's mind and made the equivalent of fingers snapping. Julie put up her fingers to her temple, feeling a sudden mild headache. It was well deserved, Miranda thought, especially for a grown woman who couldn't act like the adult she was. "At this time, it is suicide, murder, and will lose you every friend in Known Space if you move against us. You will wantonly strike a hornet's nest. Fleets now quiet will swarm out and sting you. It is unnecessary; it puts you in the wrong; it is fatal, Ms. Musante!"
The tube car slowed as it neared its destination. Face contorted by anger and the mild headache, Julie turned to face the Federation ambassador fully. She spoke through gritted teeth. "Ms. Jones, you are not walking on thin ice. You're trying to walk on water! I'll drown you!"
The tube door opened. Julie, fists clenched at her sides, stalked out of the tube. Miranda stared at the Earther's back, not quite believing her obstinacy. A NightWatch propaganda poster on a corridor wall attracted her attention just before the tube door closed. Miranda sensor net showed the poster's image to be that of a little man being gripped by a giant hand, with Earth in the background. Huge letters proclaimed, TRAITORS CAN'T HIDE!
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The Judge Advocate General representative didn't like what she was hearing. "Thank you, Ambassador." Miranda Jones had just described her encounter with the Babylon 5 political officer, Julie Musante. Captain Areel Shaw looked over the officers of the Excelsior and the late Enterprise. The Earth space station revolved centrifugally outside through a large window in the main conference lounge on Captain Sulu's starship. "This is another reason for confining all Starfleet officers from the Enterprise to quarters. The Excelsior doesn't have enough room for everyone, so I'm putting them on Babylon 5."
"And Captain Sheridan agreed?" said McCoy skeptically.
"Yes," answered Miranda Jones. "The captain was kind enough to provide guest quarters for us at a discount."
"I thought Earth hates us?"
The ambassador had to answer delicately. "Well... The captain has...figured out a way to have the Earth government pay for his command staff's boarding. He has extended the courtesy to us. Hence the discount."
The doctor barked a laugh. "I'm betting that the Earth government doesn't know this! The more I learn of Sheridan, the more he seems like Kirk in the old days!"
Small smiles went around the room.
"Now if we will begin...," said Areel. She went to input orders into a panel beside a viewscreen. The screen brightened to show a three-dimensional schematic of the Solar System. Three lines curved and penetrated into the system from different directions, each ending in a Starfleet delta symbol. A fourth and thin line went straight into the system. The symbols were aimed at the fourth planet in the system. "The Federation does not take kindly to having its citizens, especially one so esteemed like Captain Kirk, abducted."
A scoff came from Dr. McCoy. He remembered the Federation letting Kirk and himself be held on Qo'noS for trial, then sent off to prison on Rura Penthe. Areel Shaw ignored him and went on.
"Starfleet Command has adapted the plans made by the late Colonel West to present conditions based on the increasing hostility between the Earth Alliance and the Federation." Areel pointed at the paths that starships would take into the Sol System. "With this plan, code-named 'Operation Retrieve,' we can go in and rescue the hostage and be out in 24 hours with an acceptable rate of loss in manpower and equipment. We have the technology to do it quickly and the Earth Alliance cannot hope to stop us. Here, we have—"
"Suppose this cockamamie plan of yours start a full scale war?" interrupted McCoy. Sulu nodded their agreement with the doctor's question.
Areel's smile didn't have any humor in it. "Then, quite frankly, Doctor, we can clean their chronometers."
Spock said, "The Earth Alliance is vulnerable. It has yet to recover from the Borg incursion and its president is precipitating a breakdown in his government structure. There won't be a more opportune time."
"Et tu, Spock!" McCoy was horrified. "Jim is my friend, but to risk a full scale war with another human power?"
"The longer we wait, the less accessible Captain Kirk will be, Doctor. I do not need to remind you of the knowledge that EarthForce could take from the captain's mind."
The doctor threw up his hands in exasperation. "All right, Spock!"
Captain Sulu leaned forward to see the list of starships assigned to the operation on the viewscreen.
USS Ahwahnee NCC-2048 Constellation-class
USS Archer NCC-2076 Centaur-class
"Centaur-class? I don't think I know that one."
"You were gone a long time," said Areel. "It's a new starship class designed to complement the Excelsior-class ships in Starfleet. It has just the saucer section and the warp nacelles with pylons—an evolution of the Miranda and Soyuz classes, if you will. The plan at Starfleet Command was that more such smaller starships would fill the void left by the dismantling of bases and the mothballing of heavy cruisers along the Klingon border."
"Oh yes. The Khitomer Accords, of course," said Sulu.
"Yes. However, the plans have changed. We're still dismantling the outposts along the Klingon border, of course. But we are keeping the starbases and we have decided not to mothball the heavy cruisers. Instead, we are assigning other duties for the ships in other areas of the Federation."
"Why?" asked McCoy. "Isn't that a violation of the Khitomer Accords?"
Areel gave a short blunt answer: "The Borg."
McCoy nodded as he mentally kicked himself. Of course! The existence of such a powerful and dangerous alien threat like the Borg would have been a wakeup call for the Federation. The Borg had defeated a combined Klingon-Federation fleet at Klach D'Kel Bracht, the area of space that was also called the Briar Patch in Federation charts. Naturally, the Klingons, concerned about their still shaky empire, would have agreed to modifications in the Khitomer Accords.
Sulu continued to study the list of starships for Operation Retrieve.
USS Challenger NCC-2032 Constitution-class (refit)
USS Eagle NCC-1956 Soyuz-class
USS Endeavour NCC-1895 Constitution-class (refit)
USS Excelsior NCC-2000 Excelsior-class
USS Potemkin NCC-1657 Constitution-class (refit)
USS Saratoga NCC-1867 Miranda-class
USS Scovil NCC-1598 Akyazi-class Perimeter Action Ship
USS Springfield NCC-1936 Oberth-class
"Ten starships. Four of them are of the heavy cruiser classes. All that for one man. Isn't that..." Sulu frowned to emphasize his point. "...overkill?"
"Yes," agreed Areel. "But remember, Captain Sulu, EarthForce still have many ships in the Sol System left over from the battle with the Borg at Jupiter. We cannot take any chances though we clearly have a technological edge over them." The JAG officer pointed at the thin fourth line on the operation's schematic. "This is the Springfield's course. By special order of Starfleet Command, she is equipped with a cloaking device. Before entering the system, the Springfield will cloak and scout ahead of the task force to take sensor readings of the area. It will continue to relay detailed readings to you as you go to Mars." Her finger then gestured at the other three thicker curving lines. "The remaining ships will be divided into groupings of three starships. The division of the task force will be at your discretion, Captain Sulu."
"Okay." But Sulu appeared to have doubts about the operation. "When do I go, Captain Shaw?"
"Actually, the task force will meet with us here at Babylon 5. It would be much quicker, not to mention closer."
"But...won't the Earth Alliance find out about the task force that way?"
Ambassador Jones fielded Sulu's question this time. "I have found out that as of 0800 this morning, all communications with the Earth government and military command are offline. Babylon 5 now only has the highly selective official frequencies called 'Gold Channels.' I know that Captain Sheridan and his command staff won't be inclined to inform EarthForce about the fleet. As long as they don't know about the fleet's objective, of course."
"Which means, gentlemen," said Areel, "you are hereby ordered not disclose anything about Operation Retrieve to Babylon 5 personnel. Or anyone else, for that matter. For this operation to succeed without loss of lives, there must be absolute secrecy. This order comes directly from the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet, Fleet Admiral Toddman himself."
Grim silence reigned until McCoy looked at the Excelsior's captain. "Sulu, I don't envy you."
"Neither do I," said Spock.
All Sulu could do at the moment was stare at the screen.
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Julie Musante appeared in the captain's office. She was pleased to see all four of Babylon 5's command officers waiting there. "I'm glad to see that efficiency is not limited to Earth Central!"
"Ms. Musante," said Sheridan patiently, "What is this about? If we are to keep our 'efficiency,' we have work to do!"
"Of course, Captain. That's what I'm here for, isn't it? After all, I am your political officer." She consulted her watch. "Speaking of which, I cannot stay. I have my own work to do."
"I thought we have a meeting?"
"Yes. Just...not with me. You have a call coming from Earth Central soon. General Smits, I believe. I have my own meeting with NightWatch."
Garibaldi and Ivanova narrowed their eyes in suspicion, while Dr. Franklin watched Sheridan's expression for cues. With martial law at the Sol System and a nine-system alert, this was a very dangerous game to play, especially with Julie being, for all purposes, President Clark himself.
The BabCom bleeped for attention. "That's my cue," said Julie. "I must go. The general is waiting for you, Captain Sheridan."
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The Federation ambassador gasped as her fingers rushed to feel her temple.
"Something wrong, Ambassador?" asked Captain Sulu.
Miranda Jones rubbed her temple, looking out a window at Babylon 5 from the starship Excelsior. "Nothing. I only sensed great surprise and outrage on that station." She continued to focus on the station through the window, concentrating, then suddenly, her eyes flew open wide. "Captain, let me change my answer. Yes, there is something wrong. Something very wrong." Miranda turned to face Sulu. "The balance of power in this sector has changed!"
xxxxxxxxx
The transporter effect appeared and faded in a Babylon 5 ambassadorial suite, revealing Miranda Jones. She looked around, making sure nothing in her quarters has been disturbed. Good. No one has broken in during her absence. While many knew about the Federation's teleportation technology, it was still a good idea not to flaunt the transporter in the face of the locals. Therefore, several Starfleet officers have rented rooms on the station. Few of them were actually used for residency. It was spurious, she knew, but it not only helped build a bond between Starfleet and Babylon 5, but also eased the locals' anxieties.
"Computer, I want to place a call to Commander Ivanova."
The BabCom chirped cheerfully and said, "Working."
It was time for Ambassador Miranda Jones to step up her work and attach her embassy to the station's command staff. She didn't care about Areel Shaw or her precious Judge Advocate General. It was fortunate, she thought, that the Federation placed great trust in its starship captains and its ambassadors. Whatever a captain or ambassador agreed to, the rest of the Federation was obliged to uphold it until and unless overridden by Starfleet Command and a majority vote in the Federation Council or the Federation Supreme Assembly.
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Miranda was now walking briskly down a corridor in Green Sector. She smiled her delight at her luck when a transport tube door opened conveniently for her. Inside the tube was a Narn.
"Citizen G'Kar."
"My dear ambassador, going to see Commander Ivanova, aren't you?"
The human woman frowned at the former Narn ambassador. G'Kar seemed to know too much for a non-telepath. She had used the best Starfleet technology to make sure that her quarters weren't bugged and keep her communications secure. She wondered what would happen if G'Kar suddenly became a telepath. "Blue Sector," she said to the transport tube's computer, ignoring G'Kar.
"Ah! Ivanova, it is! It just so happens that I am going to see her, too, Ambassador! We can work together to achieve what we each want, yes?"
"The business of the Federation remains Federation business."
"Oh, I understand completely, madam! You see, I've received word from the Narn Resistance about a certain important Centauri official going to Narn. It is Narn business, for Narns only." G'Kar raised a finger, looking puzzled and confused. "Except for one small detail, Ambassador."
Miranda stood silently and impassively, giving no hint that she was listening.
"The Narn Resistance is receiving help from someone from your universe. So are the Centauri, but the assistants are...different."
A raised eyebrow was the only movement from Miranda. Inside, she was becoming nervous and more interested in what G'Kar was saying. If what he was saying was true, then it would make Starfleet's concerns for the Prime Directive moot.
G'Kar pretended not to notice the ambassador's sudden, if subtle, interest. "Of course, I know who my extra-universal assistants are. I've come to understand that they have very recently become allies of the Federation in spite of over a century of hostilities."
Miranda's raised eyebrow rose even higher. She knew the Narn could only be speaking of Klingons.
"A very small thing to be concerned about, I know, Ambassador. Even smaller than that is the identity of the Centauri's new ally. I have sifted through rumors, sent agents scouring through Centauri space. Discretely, of course. Several of the Resistance's agents have either died or disappeared trying to get this information. I've even worked with the Drazi and the Pak'ma'Ra studying the video records of the Centauri ally attacking their outposts. I know you're working on the new InterStellar Alliance, so you will hear of their complaints soon enough. So far, I've gotten only one name. Maybe it's the name of a person or a planet or even a race." He shook his head, looking even more puzzled. Humor in his eyes showed that the puzzlement and confusion was only a facade. He shrugged. "Maybe even the name of an empire, though I doubt it. Maybe it's time for me to ask a representative of the most respectable extra-universal government, the Federation. Do you know anything about the name...'Romulan'?"
This time, a gasp escaped Miranda. All she could think of was the cold-war maneuvers between the Federation and the Klingon Empire over the past century. These maneuvers sometimes became brush-fires of the cold war between the two star-nations. Capella IV, Elaas and Troyius, Sherman's Planet, Kanutu, even once heating up into a formal declaration of war at Organia. The next thought giving a name for those kind of brush- fires sent a chill through the ambassador: proxy war.
A proxy war between the Klingon and Romulan Empires, using the Narns and Centauri as pawns! This definitely merited the attention of Starfleet Command, even the Federation Council itself! Miranda Jones turned to face the Narn fully. "Citizen G'Kar, tell me everything that you know about this..." She trailed off purposefully. The edge in her voice made threats unnecessary: if he didn't tell everything he knew, she would use her telepathy on him.
G'Kar grinned widely, knowing he has hooked the Federation ambassador. He bowed as if she was a member of the officially extinct royal families in the Inner Circle of Narn. "But, of course, Ambassador!"
xxxxxxx
Nobody moved. Slowly, the realization sank into Garibaldi. In spite of his impassioned speech to the station officers in Security Central, in spite of his plea for the officers to stop tearing each other apart in the name of the dogmas of Clark's regime, they were all too frightened, too unsure, and too loaded with family and friends to risk turning against NightWatch, even to stop NightWatch's usurpation of power in Babylon 5. Disgusted, Garibaldi threw down the NightWatch armband to the floor.
Julie Musante wore a self-assured smirk. "Mr. Garibaldi, as you can see, we are too concerned with the safety of Earth to submit to your...histrionics. You should appreciate our work. I know you are a loyal Earth officer. One more chance, Mr. Garibaldi. Join us and we can work together channeling your frustrations toward keeping Babylon 5 just as safe as Earth."
Garibaldi clenched and unclenched his fists, barely resisting the powerful temptation to punch that smirk off of her face. "You may be a pretty blonde, Ms. Musante, but I already sold my heart to another blonde once. Your charms won't work on me." He pointedly looked around the room. "Besides, I'm afraid of going where everyone has gone before."
The smirk disappeared from Julie's face, her eyes darkening at the slight. "Mr. Garibaldi, as the representative of the NightWatch Division of the Political Office and the Ministry of Peace, you are relieved!" Quickly, she smiled once more, back to her persona of the friendly confident woman from Earth. "Sergeant Zack Allan, as second in command, you are now in charge of station security. Mr. Garibaldi is no longer authorized to be in this area or any other area associated with station security and administration. Please escort him elsewhere."
One of the security guards, now a member of NightWatch, tried to take Garibaldi by the arm. The former security chief violently pushed the man away. "I know the way!" He stalked away, but stopped at the door for a parting shot at Zack Allan. "Is this the way you wanted it, Zack? Is it?"
xxxxxxxx
NightWatch security guards swept through the Zocalo, rousting a group of people watching an ISN newscast, telling them to move along. Miranda Jones noticed that one of the people watching the newscast was what was called a Ranger. She knew that the dark-dressed human was connected to the Minbari Ambassador Delenn somehow, but she never asked about it nor did she delve into a Ranger's or Delenn's mind. Through the alliance between Kirk and Sheridan and Delenn, she trusted that information about the Rangers would be forthcoming soon enough.
G'Kar was saying happily, "...no one listened to me. I believe you are the first to really listen to me, Ambassador." He noticed Miranda studying the commotion in the Zocalo. "Perhaps by listening together, we can create an alliance dedicated to baking cookies for everyone on the station..."
Miranda sharply looked at G'Kar, her lips twitching into a ghost of a smile. "I apologize, Citizen. Cookies may be a good and delicious idea, but..." She became worried. "There seems to be something happening here."
"Yes. It is the Zocalo, after all. None of us here are what we appear to be. The place's always very busy, lots of trading going on, but underneath it all, more is happening. You have been here a relatively very short time, Ambassador, but you are already recognizing the fact that—"
A man shouted excitedly over the noise of the Zocalo. "Hey, over here! They've started shooting!" That caused people everywhere to start moving on the news monitors throughout the bazaar. G'Kar and Miranda were two of them.
The entire Zocalo quieted enough for the voice of the ISN reporter to be heard. "Repeating this special bulletin. We have just received raw footage of a firefight between EarthForce ships taking place even now at the transfer point on Io. The main vessel has been positively identified as the Alexander, under the command of General William Hague. The Alexander and her two companion vessels have been surrounded by EarthForce cruisers and ordered to surrender. The Alexander has refused to surrender and is calling for other EarthForce divisions to join in opposing President Clark."
The NightWatch security patrol reappeared and began working into the crowd watching ISN.
"For the first time since the early days of the Mars Rebellion, Earth vessels are fighting one another."
One of the NightWatch guards raised his voice above the commotion. "Hey, let's break it up! Break it up! Let's go!"
Action shown in the ISN footage prompted a cheer from the audience.
"The Excalibur have been hit, allowing Hague and his companion vessels to escape!"
The cheering grew louder, and the NightWatch guards waded into the crowd, trying to disperse it by force.
"Ambassador Jones," said G'Kar, "I believe the universe is telling us to go now."
"I agree."
As Miranda and G'Kar began to slip away, a civilian took exception to being manhandled by the NightWatch. Unarmed, the civilian turned onto a guard and quickly got the upper hand. All too quickly, the Zocalo became host to a general riot. All the NightWatch guards now had their hands full with fighting civilians, and many aliens as well, as Captain John Sheridan came on the monitor. He spoke calmly in coincidental counterpoint to the melee spreading through the Zocalo.
"This is Captain John Sheridan, commander of Babylon 5."
A liquor bottle flew at a NightWatch guard but missed. G'Kar saw it coming and covered Miranda, holding up his metal-studded arm to shatter the bottle.
"I have received orders this day, March 18, 2260, from the President of the Earth Alliance declaring a state of emergency. As of this moment, Babylon 5 is under martial law."
This announcement caused the fight to intensify. Reinforcements led by Zack Allan began to pour in from security.
"A curfew of 1900 hours will be maintained until further notice. Station personnel reserve the right to intercept and monitor communications in and out of Babylon 5. There will be stiff penalties against anyone caught inciting to riot, or taking any action against the security of this station, Earth, or any of its holdings. Copies of the notice will be posted in all public places. Inquiries should be directed to command staff or myself. Thank you for your attention."
A chair flew over Zack's ducked head, smashing one of the monitors on which Sheridan was speaking.
xxxxxxx
In Command and Control, Ivanova rubbed at her back, softly groaning at the dull pain there. She knew it was tension from the situation with NightWatch and the martial law finally spreading throughout the Earth Alliance. She hoped that General Hague made it out of Jupiter and that the military and Senate could find the strength to put down Clark's regime.
A feather-light tendril crept into Ivanova's mind. Alarmed, she slammed barriers down around her mind, whirling to glare suspiciously around C&C. Was there a telepath here trying to scan her? If anyone happened to be looking at her at the moment, that person would quickly regret it.
No one was looking at her. Although David Corwin shot a curious glance up from the 'Pit' at Ivanova's sudden movement. She knew that Corwin couldn't be a telepath, but where did that tendril come from?
It's me, Miranda Jones.
The touch was similar to that of her mother, Sophie Ivanova. Miranda? The commander looked around the C&C again, determined to spot the Federation ambassador. No such luck. Where could she be?
A mental sigh breathed through her mind. I am outside the door. Relax.
Ivanova widened her eyes. No Earth telepath could ever be able to telepathically communicate or scan without a line of sight! Her eyes narrowed again. Could it be a trap? Is PsiCorps behind the door, waiting to pounce on her? Her barriers should have prevented any communication, yet she's hearing a voice claiming to be from Miranda Jones.
Another sigh, this time vexed. I am Miranda Jones. This is not a PsiCorps trick. I have little time before someone spots me. Here's my proof. In spite of the rigidly held barriers around Ivanova's mind, another tendril slipped in. She gasped as suddenly, an image was laid over her sight of C&C. She could see the corridor outside the room running through C&C. It was disorienting. Suddenly, the view lurched as if Ivanova was looking down at her body which was now covered with a ghostly image of the Federation ambassador's exotic jewel net. In truth, Ivanova was still looking straight ahead. Her stomach threatened to heave at the disorientation.
Breathe. Don't look at the command center. Look at the window.
Ivanova obeyed. The disorientation lessened when she could see the starry blackness of space underneath the mental image. She could see a hand slip under the jewel net and withdraw a small makeup mirror. Miranda's face stared out of the mirror. Proof enough?
Ivanova drew a trembling breath. As far as she knew, the PsiCorps had nothing like this interposition of sights except in deep scans done by bare-skin touching. That was proof enough. The mirror made the proof even more solid.
Good. Now...Citizen G'Kar and I have an idea to save us all. Listen carefully...
xxxxxxxx
Sheridan glared at the paper he was reading. It was another 'clarification' of President Clark's order of martial law, with additional orders to keep the Federationers under close surveillance. He crumpled it and threw it across his office in an outburst of anger. He disgustedly rubbed his arms.
"I need a shower," he muttered to himself.
Julie Musante sauntered into the captain's office. Sheridan was sorely tempted to pick up the crumpled paper and stuff it down her throat.
"Ah, I see you're upset about the civil disorder in...what do you call it? The Zocalo! It's over now, thanks to NightWatch. You can relax now. With my help, your control of Babylon 5 has never been better!"
"Control?" Sheridan looked up at Julie. Was she kidding? "Martial law is control by the gun. Historically, it has never been known to last long!"
"And it won't. As I said, this is only a temporary measure to ensure the Earth Alliance's safety and security."
"I'm not so sure that 'safety and security' will last long either. We've just seen one single alien vessel smash its way through Centauri space all the way to Jupiter. The Centauri are poised to invade the InterStellar Alliance—!"
Julie shook her head, looking as if Sheridan got his information wrong. "Earth would never ally itself with a government that's bent on war."
"Well, the Centauri have attacked border worlds and posts in the Drazi Freehold and the Pak'ma'Ra Dictat, and EarthGov has, in fact, signed a pact of alliance with the Centauri."
"Exactly! That proves my point! Again, Earth would never ally itself with a belligerent government. Yes, the Centauri had several military actions on their borders, but they were only setting up buffer zones. In a way, they are doing exactly what we are doing: ensuring their own security and safety in the best way they know! Not surprising when there are anarchists who cannot accept the fact that the Narn conflict is over!"
Sheridan was now looking skeptical.
"All right, you have some concerns," conceded Julie, "but there are ways of expressing those concerns which won't cause problems for leaders like yourself. Now..." She sat down on the office's couch. "I am your political officer. This means if you have any problems at all, you can tell me and I'll help you."
"Beside the martial law?"
She smiled. "Beside that, of course. We've been over this already and it's out of our hands."
Sheridan studied Julie. He knew that she was the President's mouthpiece. He had to tread carefully here, yet at the same time, address a few issues without being dragged before a possibly fatal inquiry. "Well, uh..., we do have some problems with the lurkers, but it's nothing we—"
"Lurkers?"
"It's our version of the homeless. In many ways, we have the same problem Earth does."
"Mmm. Earth doesn't have homeless."
His eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
"We don't have the problem. Yes, there are some...um...displaced people. Here and there. But, um, they've chosen to be in that position. They're either lazy or they're criminal or they're mentally unstable."
Sheridan couldn't believe the things that Julie was spouting. "They can't get a job!"
"EarthGov has promised a job to anyone that wants one. So, if someone doesn't have a job, they must not want one."
"Umm, poverty?" The captain's expression now bordered on insolence.
Julie didn't seem to notice. "Mmm. It's the same."
"Crime?"
"Yes, there is some, but it's all caused by the mentally unstable. Biological research shows that crime is largely a genetic trait in addition to mental instability. So we've instituted correctional centers to filter them out at an early age."
"Prejudice?"
"Hmm? No, we're just..." Julie searched for the right term for a while. "...one happy planet!"
Captain Sheridan looked skeptical.
"Well, all right, there's the Marsies. But that won't change until they stop fighting Earth rule."
His disbelief had been growing with each answer that Julie gave. He had no idea that Earth changed this much. Martial law is a major change, but this—! "When did all this happen?"
"When we rewrote the dictionary. Captain, you're a good man. You're a fine soldier. A leader. You understand that sometimes, before you can deal with a problem, you have to redefine it."
"But...but you can't deal with the problems by pretending they don't exist!"
Julie made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "Oh, there's no need to embarrass our leaders by pointing out the flaws in our society that they're aware of and dealing with in their own way." She became exasperated. "Like the traitor Hague, some people just enjoy finding fault with our leaders! They're anarchists! Troublemakers! Or they're simply just unpatriotic! None of which describes you. Now, do you want people thinking otherwise? These are the areas I want to help you with. I want to feel like I'm needed, that I'm doing my part to help bring the EarthGov back into the hands of the decent, hard-working people that created it! It's why we have martial law! It's why I am here to protect you!" Julie leaned forward in the couch, reaching out and taking Sheridan by the hand. "I admire your honesty and your record and your attitude. And I don't want to see anyone use those things against you!" She released his hand, leaning back into the couch and crossing her legs. Somehow, the way she crossed her legs made her skirt's hem slip higher. "Quite frankly, I think I could come to like you, quite a lot."
Sheridan was feeling uneasy. Either Julie was a really good actress or she was really being sincere. He has never liked being unable to pin his estimate down on a person. "I, uh, I need water. Would you like some?"
"Thank you."
Sheridan had to keep from running to the office's barrette. He unstoppered the crystal decanter filled with iced water and began pouring into glasses. "Maybe it is a good thing you're here, Ms. Musante. I would have been...lost in the...new dictionary that EarthGov has written! I may not be completely on board with that, but then again, politics has never been my forte. Like you said, I'm just a soldier." He turned to see if Julie agreed.
His eyes bulged. Julie Musante was still leaning back into the couch, but she had dislodged several buttons to allow her blouse to reveal a lot of her breasts and leaned back as if she was trying to use her breasts to dislodge the rest of the buttons. She was also spreading her legs wide. Sheridan's eyes bulged further as the light glittered on golden hair. Was Julie wearing nothing under her skirt?
"Like I said, Captain, we must all do our part. Perhaps now you find the presence of a political officer a bit more...appealing?"
It was fortunate that the captain wasn't holding a glass of water. His hands were now very lax. He couldn't think. He was still trying to bring his blown mind back into his head, but somewhere someone had opened an airlock, sucking his mind out in space. "Hmm, I...don't think..."
"Good." Julie stood, shrugging off her suit jacket, and walked up to Sheridan, looking pleased at his reaction. A hand reached up into her hair, releasing it from the bun. "Don't!" She smiled wider. "I understand that the military have its own thrill. Perhaps the thrill of the office would be more...appreciable. Anyone could walk in at any moment."
His eyes panickedly shot to the office entrance which didn't have a door.
"Don't worry." Julie's hand was now slowly reaching for his neck. "I've made sure no one will need to come in."
At that moment, Commander Ivanova and Ambassador Miranda walked in. Fortunately, Julie was in a position where she couldn't see the entrance. Sheridan and Ivanova exchanged startled looks, and the commander's mouth was hanging wide open. Miranda frowned, not sure to believe what her sensor net was telling her, and her frown became deeply disapproving when the sensor net insisted and her telepathy confirmed it.
Julie could see Sheridan looking behind her at the entrance. She chuckled. "I said...don't worry! I'll show you..." She began to turn around, but Sheridan grabbed her in a clinch and planted a big long kiss on her. Carefully, he waved Ivanova and Miranda off behind Julie's back. Ivanova and Miranda exchanged a look and backed out of the office.
The kiss ended. Julie was looking very pleased. "Better! But there's no need to rush."
The two women's arrival had finally shut the airlock door and Sheridan was able to think fast. "No. No, there's not." He laughed nervously as he backed away from Julie.
"John, I've always admired you and I've always wanted to meet you. We're so lucky that I'm your political officer. So lucky..." Julie's fingers reached up to her blouse's buttons.
Sheridan grinned at her, looking down at her blouse. "Well, it must be colder in here than I thought. I'll fix it!"
He walked past her out of the office. The non-sequitur had the effect that he intended on Julie. She was confused, then annoyed.
xxxxxxx
The next day, Zack Allan found Julie Musante eating breakfast at a Zocalo eatery.
"Uh...good morning, Ms. Musante." Zack was very uncomfortable.
Julie continued to focus on her breakfast, saying "Good morning, Mr. Allan" distractedly.
"I, uh...I couldn't reach you last night."
She tensed a little, while a frown was brought by a memory. She looked up at Zack, waiting for any further comment from him.
"Uh...seen the Captain?"
Her frown became deeper. "He must be a great negotiator. I've never seen anyone come up with so many creative ways of saying no to a simple proposition."
His discomfort almost forgotten, Zack flashed a smile. "Well, I've always liked the sound of 'yes', myself."
Julie was taken aback a little. She took a moment to breathe and turned to Zack, letting an edge creep into her voice. "You have something on your mind, obviously. What is it?"
The new chief of station security now fidgeted and squirmed as he stood. Julie had to wonder if squirming was his talent. "Well, umm..." He took a deep breath and spoke in a rush to get it all out. "I was in a meeting with the Captain, the Chief, G'Kar and Miranda last night. At 1100, a Federation fleet's gonna come. A transport from the fleet's gonna dock in Bay 9. It'll be carrying a couple hundred Narn and Federation troops. They're being brought in to replace us. They wanted me to help them, but I can't! I just can't do it!"
"What?" Julie was aghast. "What the hell John's doing! It's sedition!" She quickly stood up. "Mr. Allan, organize a force. Use everyone you can get. My God! Has everyone gone mad!" She pursed her lips. "You did the right thing in coming to me, Mr. Allan. Now I have to go and stop this before it goes too far!"
She stalked off, fuming. Zack didn't look like he knew he was doing the right thing.
xxxxxxxx
Julie Musante charged into Sheridan's office, looking very enraged. Sheridan and Garibaldi looked up.
"John! I demand an explanation! I've just learned that—" She noticed Garibaldi looking at her innocently. "John... What is he doing here? He's forbidden from all areas of station security and administration!"
Sheridan looked at Garibaldi blankly. "Him? Oh, Mike's a good friend of mine. The book doesn't forbid the invitation of friends into the captain's office. Ms. Musante, you said you wanted an explanation...?"
A hand clapped to her mouth in shocked realization. "My God! It's true! You are a traitor!"
The captain took umbrage at the accusation. "Now look here, Ms. Musante! I am not a traitor." He calmed himself before continuing. "Ms. Musante, the order for NightWatch to take over Babylon 5 security came from the Political Office, correct?"
"Yes...," said Julie, unsure of where Sheridan was going with this.
"The Political Office, despite its connection to the President, is a civilian agency outside the direct chain of command. Orders affecting military personnel must come from within the military hierarchy, starting from the President, through the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to my superior officers. A Senator cannot give me a direct order. A governor cannot give me a direct order. And neither can the Political Office! The order giving NightWatch control of Babylon 5 is an illegal order!" Sheridan grinned brightly. "Madame Political Officer, am I right?"
Julie gaped. She soon found the breath to speak. "What about our agreement? Safety and security? John, what you're talking about is treason! You're throwing away your career! Narns! Federation soldiers! You're bringing in aliens to replace decent humans?"
"Actually, that's not all we're going to do... I'm putting NightWatch out of commission on Babylon 5!"
Another person entered the office. It was Spock, hands clasped in front and dressed in a black flowing Vulcan robe with silver Vulcan script running down a side.
"What is this! Another alien? Captain Sheridan, you know as well as I do that members of alien military organizations are not allowed in here! You may be trying to stick to the rules, but you're breaking a big rule right there!"
"That is not accurate, Ms. Musante," said Spock. "We apologize for not informing you in time, but I do have a title outside of my..." He raised an eyebrow. "...'alien military organization.' It was given me by my government when a neighboring empire proposed peace with us. To be precise, Ms. Musante, I am not here as a Starfleet officer, but in my capacity as the Federation Special Envoy."
Julie looked like she was going to be sick. "It's nonsense! The President was right! Aliens are trying to subvert people in EarthForce and EarthGov! What a mess!" She sighed as she massaged the bridge of her nose. "I'm glad I caught this...this...outrage in time. Damage control is a great waste of time, effort and resources, John. But you will be punished. Severely, publicly and permanently!"
Garibaldi and Sheridan looked at each other and shrugged. The captain said, "I'm afraid we're too busy right now to be punished." They stood up and began to walk out with Spock in tow. Julie's mouth worked to try and stop them.
Spock paused as he passed the political officer and turned to Julie. "I am afraid we cannot permit you to warn any member of the NightWatch or the Earth Government." He reached up to where her neck met her shoulder and pinched. Julie gave a quick gasp and fainted, tumbling down to the floor.
"Man!" said Garibaldi, amazed. "You gotta teach me that!"
xxxxxxx
Outside the O'Neill-class space station and beyond the vicinity of the local jumpgate, warp-flashes bloomed brightly and briefly. Eight pearlescent Federation starships stretched out of the flashes and came to a slow halt like rubber bands un-stretching. Many of the various vessels buzzing around Babylon 5 paused to study this spectacle, some in shock, some in wonder, and not a few in alarm. Two of the vessels, the Springfield and the Excelsior, noted that the starships all fit the list given by the JAG officer, Areel Shaw, for Operation Retrieve.
The Federation Starfleet task force has arrived.
xxxxxxx
Captain Sheridan was feeling good about the arrest of the entire NightWatch force. He had been amazed at the fleet that the Federation brought. It worked perfectly in convincing NightWatch to go into Bay 8. Though he had to wonder why the Federation was willing to send such a large force. He knew about the Enterprise's and Excelsior's power and technology, having seen them in battle. Not only against EarthForce, but also against the Centauri and the Shadows. He would have been nervous about such a powerful force sitting outside his station if not for Miranda's promise that the starships would depart quickly and soon. He glanced at Citizen G'Kar as they walked down the corridor.
"G'Kar, thank you for your help. It's amazing... Crime has actually gone down since your Narns joined Security. They've even managed to deal with the Centauri without a problem. I'm impressed. If there's anything that I can do..."
"There is!" said G'Kar as they stopped at the entrance to Sheridan's office. "I want in!"
Sheridan frowned nervously. "In...what?"
"You have been assembling a new alliance. Don't try to deny it. I've been here too long not to notice. I wish to join."
"I'll uh...have to talk it over with the others."
"Please do so. I have time. All the time in the world. Do you?" With that, G'Kar walked off.
xxxxxxx
Captain Sulu sat in his command chair on the Excelsior. He felt the arms of his chair and looked around at the activities on his bridge. Babylon 5 hung obliquely in the main viewscreen. In the distance, the jumpgate flashed in its vortex generation and a Minbari flyer appeared out of hyperspace. It was only one more ship to watch the Federation fleet.
The turbolift door slid open. A man dressed in the Starfleet uniform had a gold sash tied as a belt around his maroon tunic. His blond hair was tied in a short braid down his back. Sulu recognized him in spite of the new hardness in his eyes and was delighted.
"Leonard! It is good to have you back alive."
"Yes, sir," said Leonard James Akaar curtly.
Sulu frowned at Akaar's attitude. Wolf 359 has changed the Capellan man. The Excelsior wasn't at the battle with the Borg but the description of the graveyard of starships had chilled him. He didn't want to know what it was like to fight one single powerful alien vessel and watch entire fleets die. Even now, the InterStellar Alliance and the Minbari were still working to salvage the broken ships and sifting through the ruins for survivors. Akaar had been found by the Springfield in the system before that starship came to Babylon 5.
Sulu shook his head to himself as Akaar went to work at his station. Thousands must have died fighting the Borg at Wolf 359. His mind retreated from the thought. As long as Akaar worked well as a Starfleet officer, he would be fine on the Excelsior. The mission would tell the captain more about him. Sulu turned his attention to the task at hand.
"Navigator, plot a course to the Earth Alliance Sol System."
"Course plotted and laid in, Captain," said Lieutenant Angelo Tiffe.
Sulu closed his hands over the chair-arms' ends. This particular expedition could very possibly start a full-scale war between the Earth Alliance and the Federation. It was a risky endeavor taken at a very risky time right at the heel of the Borg incursion. The Earth Alliance was in the throes of controversy over President Clark's administration, and tension was building up between the Federation and the Romulan Empire. Risky. But was it any riskier than leaving Captain Kirk in the hands of the Earth Alliance?
"All stations report," ordered Captain Hikaru Sulu.
"Helm ready, aye," said Lieutenant Commander Kruton Lojur.
"Engineering ready, aye," said Lieutenant Commander Devon Gabler.
"Ops ready, aye," said Ensign Tuvok of Vulcan.
"Tactical ready, aye," said the newly promoted Commander Leonard James Akaar.
"All ships report ready," said Lieutenant Commander Janice Rand. "The fleet is at your command, Captain."
"Warp 6. Let's roll."
The 10 starships of the Starfleet task force oriented themselves to face the star of Sol. The blue glow on their warp nacelles brightened and flashed. The vicinity of Babylon 5 was treated to the view of starships rubber-banding out into the dark distance until warp-flashes took them. Not a few spectators wondered about the purpose and destination of this fleet.
xxxxxxx
Captain Sheridan came into the C&C. Commander Ivanova looked around at his entrance. "Hi, Captain. Ambassador Delenn just got back. She's looking forward to talking to you about everything that's happened."
"Good." Sheridan could see that there was more to come. "Is there anything else?"
Ivanova sighed. "I just saw a report on ISN. Four of the five cruisers that defected with General Hague have been shot down. They say he's on the run and they expect to capture him next time he comes out of hyperspace."
"Well, he won't go down without a fight!"
"No, sir. No, he won't."
"They'll be coming for us next, you know."
"I know." Ivanova sighed and looked out the window at space. The Federation fleet was at that moment orienting itself. "Never thought it would end like this."
"Me either." Sheridan watched the Federation fleet's departure with Ivanova. Whatever they were going to do, he wished them good luck.