Chapter 11
"Commander, your report on what happened out there was very detailed in many topics, but I think you failed in not having questioning Commander Shelby as much as possible on others issues, why is that?" Martel asked.
"With all due respect, Sir I believe that I questioned her as much as possible given the circumstances, I was there as a mere adviser and not in the position of being able to interrogate her at will without risking becoming unwelcome." Sheridan replied.
"I disagree with that reasoning Commander, risking becoming unwelcome would be a small price to pay for getting valuable information." Martel said.
Usually I would agree with you General but in this case there was no guarantees that Commander Shelby would answer more sensitive questions, and since she was being very helpful, antagonize her unnecessarily would be risking create future difficulties." Sheridan replied and then continued. "But what she told and showed me was so much that it is possible that I may have forgotten to mention something in the report, what is that the Generals wish to know?" Sheridan asked.
"In the report you stated that what allowed the Klingons to travel so far from their territories in such a short period was the fact that they stumbled into a wormhole with the capacity of shortening distances thousands of times. But nowhere its precise location is mentioned, did you bother asking her where it was or didn't you think it would be important we know its location?" Martel asked.
"As a matter of fact I did ask her General, but Commander Shelby's answer relative to its location was awfully vague." Sheridan replied.
"And doesn't seem strange to you that a so-called ally would be withholding crucial information from us?" Martel asked.
"I find it difficult to let the General know what is strange or not as that word is subjective to many interpretations, but since I'm certain that Earth Force is not going to disclose everything it knows to them, we have to expect that they may do the same to us." Sheridan answered.
"On which side are you Commander?" Martel asked fuming due the evasive answers he was getting from Sheridan.
"I'm trying to respond to all your questions to the best of my ability General, nothing more and nothing less, so I'm offended by your allegation regarding my loyalty." Sheridan replied bluntly.
"That's not what I'm seeing Commander!" Martel yelled.
"I'm sorry that you are getting the wrong idea from my answers General, but to be honest, I fail to see how they can be interpreted as showing disloyalty." Sheridan replied.
"Commander," General Carmo wanting to change to another subject asked. "You briefly mentioned that before discovering that wormhole they were conducting military exercises regarding a powerful enemy called the Borg, didn't she elaborated more on them and how they may pose a threat to us with the Klingons coming here?"
"She mentioned that the Borg are the most ruthless and powerful enemy that they ever come across. In fact they're so powerful that a single one of their ships can destroy an entire fleet of hundreds of their ships, fortunately and by reasons unknown so far, all Borg attacks were made only by single ships, which at the cost of hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of crewmembers, allowed the Federation to avoid defeat. But calculating the probability of the Borg coming here is difficult. I would say that the possibilities of that happen are more if they find the wormhole by themselves and want to investigate what is on the other side, than getting the knowledge of it through the Klingons, because they don't seem the type that announces to everyone what they discover." Sheridan spoke.
"You said that the Federation lost many ships to the Borg, what about the Klingons? How many ships have they lost?" General Carmo asked wanting to know if klingons ships were more powerful than the Federation ones.
"Although the Klingons also feel threatened by the Borg, so far they only lost a few ships that went missing while patrolling their borders with the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire. All main attacks for the time being were only done against the United Federation of Planets. The reason may be because the Federation was the first one to have contact with the Borg, and going by what Commander Shelby said, and the way she said it, I got the impression that their meeting did not go very well. " Sheridan answered.
"Are you telling us that those Borg are to that Federation what the Minbari are to us?" General Romanoff asked.
"I think putting things that way isn't that far off General, except they don't seem to be in the brink of extinction as we are." Sheridan stated.
"Well we might as well forget the option of asking help from that Federation. Apparently they have as much of a problem as we do." General Tomko said.
"Going by that and also by the Dominion war you mentioned in the report I would say that humans wherever they are, always have the same tendencies to get into trouble." Lefcourt interjected.
"But if the Klingons are willing to help us, then shouldn't they also have helped the Federation when they were attacked since they allegedly are allies?" Martel asked.
"In one of the attacks at least Shelby said that a Klingon fleet was on the way to help but the battle ended before their arrival, in other battles I don't know since she didn't enter in many details." Sheridan said.
Suddenly the intercom in the room came to live and from it a voice was heard.
"General, Brigadier Korras is signaling that he is ready to beam over, whatever that means."
"Good, let him know that we are ready and provide him the coordinates of this room." General Lefcourt ordered.
Moments later two columns of light appeared in the room and began to form into humanoids; General Lefcourt immediately got up from his chair and went to greet them.
"Welcome to Earth Force Headquarters Brigadier... Commander, we appreciate very much your coming here and also the Minbari ship that you brought us, the knowledge that we will get from it will be invaluable. Now please have a seat and let's begin the meeting." Lefcourt said.
"Good…," Korras said and after he and Shelby sat down, he continued.
"My captains and I have been discussing the best course of action to defend your planet from the Minbari; usually we would gather a fleet and would go crush the enemy into their territory, but since we have few ships and yours are too weak, that is not an option. I think our best choice is to have a defensive posture and surround the planet with replicating mines." Korras said.
"Mines? That is not going to delay the Minbari much." General Romanoff said.
"I don't know at what types of mines you are used to, but the ones that the Brigadier mentioned are extremely effective, it consists of a small casing fitted with a Replicator, a matter and antimatter warhead and their own independent sensors and thrusters. Once an enemy ship enters its kill zone of twenty thousand kilometers, the mines tracks it, swarms it and detonate on contact." Shelby replied.
"It would be far more efficient if you sold us your weapons and sensors." General Martel said.
"That is an impossibility as our sensors and weapons are subspace based and can't be integrated in any of your systems." Korras said.
"Subspace, what is that?" Lefcourt asked.
"It is a spatial dimension that most of our technology uses in order to circumvent many of the restrictions to which matter and energy are subject in our dimension." Shelby answered.
"Like our hyperspace?" General Carmo asked.
"Yes, you can say that." Shelby replied.
"An immense number of mines would have to be used to be possible to obstruct all pathways to Earth... do you have that many? General Martel asked clearly doubting that that was the case.
"To protect a single planet as yours why would we need such a high quantity of mines? As Commander Shelby already stated the mines will track any enemy vessel in its kill radius and destroy it. Their quantity also is irrelevant, as the inbuilt replicators that all mines will have, will use remains of the ones already detonated and of the vessels that they destroyed, to build more mines. But in the very improbable case of the minefield be insufficient, planetary defense satellites will be provided." Korras said.
"Satellites? What we need is proper weapons that could be mounted in our ships so that we could fight the boneheads in our own terms." General Martel said.
"Are you questioning the methods we choose to help your doomed race by implying that they are not good enough?" Korras pounded the table with his fist and looked piercingly to Martel.
Lefcourt immediately understood that Martel last remark could make things go downhill and tried to act quickly to remedy the situation. "Of course not Brigadier, he only stated his own preferences, which are the use of offensive weapons."
"You should be grateful at all that we decided to help you…," Korras roared. "…or do you also think that I'm presenting worthless weapons and lack the knowledge of how to prepare myself for battle?"
"Of course not Brigadier, if anyone gave you that impression I apologize, but that certainly wasn't the intention." Lefcourt said alarmed.
Immediately Korras turned off his universal translator and began speaking with Shelby in Klingonese, and in spite of nobody in the room understand what it was being said, everyone understood that good words weren't been uttered. Then he and Shelby got up and went to the exact place where had been beamed in and disappeared in the same manner they had arrived.
Immediately Lefcourt faced Martel in the eyes and said aloud. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT YOU MAY HAVE DONE?"
"Me? I just said what everyone was thinking but didn't have the courage to say." Martel replied.
"You knew very well after reading all those reports how easily they are to feel offended, now if they refuse to help us because of your big mouth what do you think will happen when the Minbari arrive? " Lefcourt asked.
"We should've done what I suggested initially instead of wasting all this time, and get by force all their worthy technology, their excuses about their weapons being incompatible with our systems are just excuses so that we continue to be weak." Martel said.
"You are insane, and I begin to wonder if you didn't provoke him intentionally to compel us in despair to use your mad schemes. I will request immediately an emergency audience with President Levy and will ask her to accept your resignation as quickly as possible as because of your stupidity you may have doomed us all. Gentlemen this meeting is postponed until further notice." Then Lefcourt got up from his seat and exit the room.
-oOOo-
On board the Kahless two figures materialized.
"Brigadier are you really planning to leave?" Shelby asked.
"Yes, the pitiful humans don't deserve our help, they are lucky I don't bombard them myself." Korras replied.
"What about the mission Sir?" Shelby asked.
"What about it?" Korras asked aggravated.
"Are you returning to Qo'nos? What about Q? Shelby asked.
Upon hearing the name of Q, Korras went ballistic and started punching the nearest console with pure rage.
"IF THAT Q BEING EVER COMES ONTO THIS SHIP AGAIN I WILL CRUSH HIS THROAT WITH MY BARE HANDS." Korras yelled.
Shelby gave a few steps back to avoid being near the enraged Korras and said smoothly.
"Sir I understand your anger towards Q and I dislike him as much as you, but unfortunately we do not have the power to oppose him."
"WHAT DO YOU SUGEST THEN?" Korras yelled.
"Sir, I have a plan." Shelby replied.
Far from there at the Minbari, Centauri and Narn rendezvous point hundreds of Jump points started forming and from them a mighty Minbari fleet as wasn't seen in a thousand years immerged.
-oOOo-
On board the command Minbari ship.
"Alyt, at the gathering point I'm only detecting the Narn fleet and a huge quantity of metallic debris, many are larger pieces that are undoubtedly consistent with remains of Centauri ships. A large battle clearly took place here." A Minbari informed his Alyt.
"Could it be the Narn dare defy us and used this opportunity to attack the Centauri?" The First officer asked.
Alyt Durhan carefully examined the data sent to his personal console and then answered. "It would be highly unlikely that the Narn could defeat the Centauri, even if with far superiors numbers and the element of surprise, but doing it while remaining completely unscathed as their fleet appears to be would be an impossibility, hail the Narn command ship immediately."
Moments later a Narn appeared in the main holographic display.
"What happened here?" Durhan demanded to know.
Ta'Lorn immediately complied. "Greetings great Alyt, I'm Ta'Lorn supreme commander of the Narn fleet, I regret to inform you but that wreckage is what remains of the Centauri. Immediately after having arrived we witness the last moments of a battle between the Centauri and unknowns, and although our arrival was enough to scare them away and make them flee, it was too late to help the Centauri as none was left alive. Those unknowns may be the ones against whom you asked our help."
"Doubtful, if they were our enemies they would have destroyed you as well and not run scared as you claim they did upon seeing you." Durhan said.
Ta'Lorn didn't like Durhan's insinuation but kept his objections to himself. "I don't know why Alyt, only that that was what happened, our sensor records can confirm it."
"Then send us those records immediately." Durhan demanded.
"Of course, I will send it to you without delay." Ta'Lorn said to the Minbari, then disconnected the transmission and addressed a Narn near him. "Transmit the records we previously prepared, quickly."
Moments later the data arrived its destination, and Durhan starting examining it meticulously. And as he already suspected and contrary to what the Narn had claimed, the unknown ships that had destroyed the Centauri fleet weren't the dreaded Borg.
-oOOo-
Grey council chambers.
"Satais, we have arrived at the gathering point, but I have disturbing news". Was heard in the Grey Council speakers.
"What is it?" Coplann asked.
"Apparently the Centauri fleet waiting for us was destroyed by unidentified ships; the only thing left of them is remains." Durhan Said.
"Are you certain of that? Satai Morann asked.
"I'm afraid so Satai, the Narn claimed to have arrived in the last instances of the battle, hence witnessing what happened but unable to intervene or help as the unknowns immediately flee upon their arrival and no Centauri survivors were left behind. I am sending you the Narn records of the events for you to analyze." Durhan replied.
Moments later all the nine of the Grey Council began seeing in the holographic display hundreds unidentified ships amid the immense field of debris, suddenly they begun to move at incredible speeds and disappearing in flashes of light.
"This is madness, is the universe conspiring against us? Who are these new aliens? Will they be an enemy that the Centauri have and we are unaware off, or will they be linked to those Borg creatures that somehow knew of our plans and decided to make a preemptive attack to avoid our retaliation?" Delenn asked completely appalled with what it had just happened.
"Alyt, did you find any remains from the alien ships that did this? Satai Kersohio asked.
"We detected some unfamiliar remains that we brought aboard to examine Satai." Durhan stated.
"Good, as soon you found something about them contact us immediately." Kersohio replied.
"We must contact the Centauri home world immediately for clarification about what happened here, now with only the Narn we are not strong enough to assure a victory against those Borg abominations." Satai Kalonnon stated.
"Then what course of action will we take?" Satai Hedronn asked.
"I propose that we turn back and go seek Vorlon counseling." Satai Kalonnon suggested.
Minutes later the Narn were informed that the attack plan was suspended until further notice. then all Minbari ships start veering away, opening hundreds of jump points and disappearing into the vastness of hyperspace.
-oOOo-
General Lefcourt office.
"Excuse me General; did you asked for my presence?" Sheridan asked after passing the door and saluting Lefcourt.
"Yes I did, the Klingons have refused to answer all our calls since that unfortunately incident you witness. The good news are they didn't leave orbit yet so we still have hope they'll continue to want to help us. But we can't gamble in that assumption alone, so it was decided we should explore other possibilities, the EAS Heracles is currently being prepared for its next mission and you are to command it, Captain Sheridan." Lefcourt said.
"Thanks for the promotion Sir, may I ask what the mission is about?" a surprised Sheridan said.
"Yes you can Captain. If everything else fails, this mission of yours is humanity last hope. Thanks to General Martel we may no longer have the Klingons help, so our next best hope is to find this human Federation. Your mission is to try to find out the wormhole that brought the Klingons here, travel through it and try to contact them. I know they have their own problems with those Borg and all, but anything they could give us is better than what we have right now. You have full negotiation powers, form an alliance with them, or even if it comes to that, ask for refuge to any surviving humans that manage to escape if the Minbari do attack Earth and win, it's your call."
"That is a big responsibility Sir, I don't know if I'm up to it." Sheridan replied.
"If anyone is capable of doing it you are, Captain. Believe me when I say that you are the best man for the job and I have the maximum confidence in you." Lefcourt stated.
"Thanks for the confidence general, but the area to cover is immense, and even if we succeed in detecting and crossing that wormhole we no longer will be able to navigate in hyperspace, certainly there aren't any nav beacons out there that far, and in real space we cannot cover any meaningful distance in any useful amount of time." Sheridan retorted.
"I know that captain, but in any case a Minbari sensor and comm. array that we removed from their captured ship as well as additional fusion reactors to power it are being fitted into the Heracles as we speak. So once you reach the area we believe the wormhole is, the much more advanced and powerful Minbari array certainly will increase your chances of finding it. Then just cross it, crank up those reactors to maximum and transmit a distress call as loud as you can. With luck the Federation may listen and show up." Lefcourt said.
"A mission with more "ifs" and "hoping for luck" than this one would be difficult to find Sir." Sheridan replied.
"Unfortunately Captain, "ifs" and "hoping for luck" is the only thing that now could prevent humanity from being annihilated. You are dismissed and good luck, Captain Sheridan.
"Yes Sir." Sheridan said and then saluted Lefcourt before leaving his office.
-oOOo-
Somewhere in Geneva two figures meet in an undisclosed place.
"I'm glad you accepted coming to this meeting General, I heard that President Levy replaced you in the Joint Chief of Staffs by General Hermann Ruff."
"And you asked me to come here to rub that in my face, Senator?" Martel asked fuming.
"Of course not General, I think that what they did to you was an injustice, we should have more people like you in decision-making places" The Senator replied.
"You bet. President Levy, Lefcourt and all the others yes men that surround her are going to be our deaths, none of them has the courage to do what has to be done." Martel replied with resentment in his voice.
"I agree entirely with you General, and believe me that there are more people that think as you do. I plus a group of courageous people whom I lead are willing to do whatever is needed to save humanity and we think you would be a great addition to our group. Can I count on you General?" The Senator asked.
"That is a very interesting proposition Senator; please tell me more about this group of yours, and your plans." Martel asked with a smile in his face.
TBC