5

Between Mars and Jupiter.

"She's out of range of nuke two, only one left."

It didn't matter, it would be enough. He watched her run, watched the flagship of the Minbari fleet, the queen of the skies turning tail and fleeing for its life. If he died now, right now, he would die satisfied that is final act was to kill this monster.

"See you in hell."

The wave of radiation caught the Black Star, sublimating portions of the outer hull leaving glowing scars on its flanks. The whole vessel was shoved sideways by the transformation of solid to gas, its outer hull stripped and torn. For a heartbeat she hung there, glowing in the reflection of the nuclear blast, molten rock illuminating her in stark whites and yellows, and then the Black Star died. Her reactors collapsed, their systems shorted by the attack. Containment failed, the system ran out of control and within a second it was done. The Black Star was immolated from the inside out, a burning sun that melted the vessel out of existence leaving a small sun in its place.

The crew of the Lexington burst into cheers, the tension gone, the certainty of their failure banished. They had not only survived they had actually won, they had beaten the unbeatable. It was a rare excuse to feel some real joy.

Sheridan just felt tired. It had been a gamble and it had worked but they were far from home free yet. They were still isolated in the middle of an ambush zone in a ship that was barely holding together.

"Lieutenant Carroll, double check those readings." Sheridan cut through the cheers. "You make damn sure that bastard is dead."

"It's confirmed, there's nothing out there bigger than a spoon."

"Alright." He lowered his head and closed his eyes for a second, planning their next move. "Alright people, good job, we did the impossible. Now we need to do it again. I'd bet good money that ship isn't operating this far behind our lines without some sort of support network."

"You think there might be more of them sir?"

"I do." Sheridan nodded confidently. "And we need to do something about it."

"Commander our distress signal has been acknowledged, the nearest patrol group is on its way."

"Might not be enough." He considered. "What happened to the Bolivar?"

"Shot down in the first pass." Carroll replied.

"She was carrying over sixty warheads onboard in her launch tubes. I'm guessing she didn't get a chance to fire them?"

"No sir."

"So they're still there." Sheridan concluded. "I need more EVA teams. Recover those warheads and set them for proximity detonation. Same plan as before."

"Respectfully sir, that isn't a lot of warheads if we don't know where the enemy will approach from."

"But we do know Lieutenant." Sheridan smiled. "They lured us into an ambush, a pre-plotted jump point. I'll bet good money any mission to locate their missing ship uses that exact same location to jump in. Minbari efficiency."

It seemed a reasonable enough guess.

"Understood sir, moving us into position."

"Make sure the EVA teams work fast, they could arrive any time. Let's try and add a little insult to injury."

Beta Durani.

"I was wondering when this would arrive." Captain Helena Black screwed up the paper and hurled it across her office, missing the bin by a good margin.

"What is it Captain?" her XO Lin Kawoo asked.

"A recall ordered, I'm being summoned to Proxima to meet with General Denisov." She exhaled. "I'm betting that whole unilaterally turning off the beacon network without permission probably has something to do with it."

"And killing eighty Minbari ships in the process?" Lin reminded. "He probably wants to give you a medal."

"Yes, which he will hand to me between the bars of my jail cell."

"I'm sure it won't be anything like that."

"You better hope not." She handed over another sheet of paper to the Korean XO. "He's sent for you too."

"Oh right." She read the orders. "Oh… right."

"A new officer is already on his way, with Beta Durani now the front line their massing more ships in this region, assigning a full general to take command." Black relayed. "Matter of fact I heard they were wheeling Hamato out of retirement."

"The commander of our combined fleets in the Dilgar war?"

"Rumour mill said he was a broken man after Balos, considered it a betrayal that the government wouldn't let him finish the job." The Captain gave a shrug. "Do you remember it on the news? The President pinned the Medal of Honour on him, and he took it off and handed it back along with his sword and rank stars. I bet that took more balls than fighting Deathwalker."

"If the government are reactivating his commission they must be serious about where this war is going. Good to see they aren't letting pride get in the way of practicality."

"So we might not be getting drummed out of the service?"

"Only one way to find out. Pack a bag Commander, no point keeping the firing squad waiting."

Somewhere in Minbari Space

"Well." Jenimer cleared his throat. "That did not go exactly according to plan."

The Council stood in silence as it watched the Black Star explode for the fourth time, the intercepted transmission from Earth broadcasts confirming their suspicions.

"It is not fake." Fenner of the Worker Caste shared. "We have determined the images to be genuine."

"They tricked the most honoured ship in our fleet into an ambush." Snarled Morann, the young warrior barely restraining his fierce temper. "Tricked it and then murdered it! There was no chance for it to fight back? What honour is there in that?"

There was a gentle snort of derision from the smallest member of the Council, the noise drawing in attention.

"Did the Black Star itself not trick human ships into an ambush?" Delenn countered. "Do they have a chance to fight back against us? You are right Morann, there is no honour in such a battle."

"You dare impune the honour of the Warrior Caste?"

"I make no such accusation." Delenn retorted. "But I wonder why you are so swift to defend that which should be beyond reproach?"

"Enough." Jenimer tapped the staff of office on the deck drawing the Council to order. With Dukhat gone Jenimer had stepped forward as temporary leader. As the longest serving and oldest of the Council it was his right until an election could be held. "What about the other vessels?"

"We lost six additional escorts trying to discover the truth regarding the Black Star." Coplann answered in his carefully modulated voice. "We believe they fell victim to the same tactic."

"And all you had to do was turn on the news." Delenn said simply.

"We have marked the human who did this" Morann sneered. "This John Sheridan will be brought to justice."

"I have yet to see warrior justice." Delenn commented sharply.

"You will when you witness their worlds burning."

"Satai." Jenimer raised his voice again. "We must resolve the most urgent issue these disasters have placed before us. The destruction of the Black Star cost us Shai Alyt Sekann, our overall military commander and senior warrior of the Windsword clan. In a cruel twist we have also lost Vetenn of the Star riders, the warrior who would have taken over in the event of Sekann's death."

"Who is next in the chain of command?" Rathenn of the Religious Caste asked.

"That is a matter of dispute." Jenimer exhaled.

"The dispute is pointless." Morann dismissed. "The Windsword clan has taken the lead in this war, Alyt Sineval is next in line of command."

"The Star riders dispute this." Coplann interjected. "The Windswords have so far led us into two completely avoidable disasters."

"I remind my fellow warrior that the fleet lost in hyperspace was under Star rider command."

"And I remind the Satai that they were following Windsword orders to advance at full speed without deploying adequate scouts."

"We can discuss why this happened later." Jenimer cut off the brewing argument. "You have both summoned your candidates so we may question them?"

"We have." Both warriors agreed.

"Bring them before us."

"The Windswords summon Sineval, of the family Kerazad."

"The Star Riders summon Branmer, of the family Mir."

Delenn at once raised her gaze, turning to confirm the identity of her kinsman. Two males in the black of a warrior entered the circle, each bearing badges of rank and honour with subtle differences displaying their heritage. Sineval was broad and hard faced, his features heavily lined and his eyes narrow and angry. In contrast Branmer was taller and more relaxed, emanating an aura of calm.

"Summoned, we stand before the council." Both warriors announced in perfect unison.

"You are here to determine your suitability to lead." Jenimer informed flatly. "One of you will leave here Shai Alyt. We will judge who."

"If I may speak." Sineval stepped forward, Jenimer granting his request with a nod. "I am a true warrior of Minbar, raised since birth to fight, kill and if needed die for my people. My opponent is a priest wearing a warrior's robes! The choice should be clear."

"Tell me Sineval, what is your strategy?" Coplann asked.

"To strike the humans as hard and swiftly as possible as is our way." He replied with relish. "The Windswords revel in open war! We must seek their fleets, their worlds, their places of strength and attack them head on, destroying them completely."

"Frontal assaults are costly in terms of lives, even in victory." Coplann cautioned.

"Death in battle is not to be feared." Morann remarked snidely.

"Not to be feared, but not to be embraced either." Coplann retaliated.

"Death is merely the final act of a warrior's life." Sineval added. "To die in service of our people is a high honour indeed."

"It sounds you are perhaps intoxicated with death in battle?" Fenner queried.

"Merely accepting of the possibility honoured Satai of the Worker Caste. "Sineval bowed. "It is not something a worker would understand."

Coplann grunted.

"It is not something I understand."

"Which only serves my point." Morann shot him a look, drawing a sneer from the Star rider Satai.

"Focus." Jenimer reminded. "You would bicker before Dukhat? Do not do so in this place which holds his legacy."

The two senior warriors fell reluctantly silent.

"Branmer. Speak."

The taller of the two walked forward, ignoring the glare from Sineval's angry eyes.

"My colleague is correct, I was not born a warrior. My father was Venmer of the Star riders, a respected leader of fleets, but my mother was Herienn of the religious caste, so my blood was that of a Priest. I served in the temples as was required, but I ever felt the warrior heritage in my bones. I studied the ways of Valen, became a teacher and a scholar seeking answers in the ancient texts."

"He admits his unsuitability." Morann waved.

"He has admitted no such thing." Coplann shot back. "Let him speak as we listened to your candidate."

"Branmer." Delenn drew his attention. "When did you choose to become a warrior?"

"In my time I studied with Dukhat, and with your father." He smiled warmly. "I counted both as friends so when I learned Dukhat had fallen I felt moved to act. I could no longer simply read the deeds of others, the blood of my father called out in my veins and it changed the direction of my heart. I sought the Star riders and joined their ranks."

"Branmer applied as a mere initiate." Coplann informed. "Seeking to serve as a humble foot soldier. When we recognised him and recalled his great wisdom and the deeds of his father we gave him a place of honour among the strategists of our clan."

"I have developed a strategy for this war. Methodical, careful, an approach which conserves our strength to be released in overwhelming force at a time of our choosing."

"Against humans such tactics are pointless, they are no challenge." Sineval discounted.

"The challenge may not be defeating the enemy, but in improving ourselves and relearning the tactics of Valen." Branmer answered. "To ensure we are prepared for the coming darkness as Dukhat desired."

"The Windswords respect the wisdom of Alyt Branmer." Morann said flatly. "But in war wisdom is not so important as combat prowess."

"We disagree." Coplann stated.

"Alyt Sineval is a master warrior, if we wish to decide the better warrior why not simply let them duel?"

Delenn laughed harshly. "Because Morann the ability to hit people with a stick does not mean you can command a fleet! Unless Alyt Sineval is so skilled with the pike that he can destroy human battleships in one swing?"

"Do you mock an honoured warrior Delenn?" Morann bristled.

"Warriors have their place, but they must also recognise their limits as Valen did." Delenn countered. "I remind the Council Valen was priest before he was a warrior, as is Branmer."

"That is disputed."

"What is not disputed is that wars require many skills." Coplann interjected. "Branmer may not be skilled with a pike, if Sineval wishes to decide leadership of the fleet through single combat then I shall summon Neroon to the circle, or perhaps Durhan."

The Windsword did not seem particularly enthused at the idea.

"Alyt Sineval seeks to continue the existing strategy, one which has already seen unnecessary losses, preventable losses." Coplann pointed out. "We need a new direction, a wiser mind to direct our forces and quell the fire of battle lust. As a student of Valen's war Branmer is the wisest warrior, and at this time we need wisdom before we need fury."

"All has been said that needs to be said." Jenimer called an end to proceedings. "The Council will vote. Those in favour of Sineval?"

The chamber went dark as the Satai dimmed the lights above them, only Morann retained his signalling his opinion.

"It is decided. Branmer is made Shai Alyt." The leader of the Nine announced. "Go now and continue this war as you see fit."

Both men bowed and left, the lights of the chamber returning.

"The Council has made an error." Morann spat.

"Our only error was tolerating Windsword control of the fleet for so long." Coplann retorted sharply. "That is now corrected."

"Branmer was a good choice." Fenner considered. "But why not consider Althain of the Nightwalkers? He is champion of Minbar is he not?"

"Althain is a leader of armies, not of fleets." Coplann answered. "He is the greatest of warriors, of that few will disagree, but Branmer remains a superior strategist and a better leader of warships."

"Althain supported Branmer and refused to stand against him." Jenimer clarified. "He is fighting on the human world of Cyrus, he will inform us of his findings regarding human warriors."

"Naming them warriors is an insult." Morann sneered.

"I will wait for Althain's word on that." Coplann shook his head. "You may argue with him, if you do not wish to keep your teeth in your head."

"The matter is resolved." Jenimer grunted. "We must discuss another issue, several members of the league of Non-aligned Worlds have offered aid to Earth. Warships are massing as we speak."

"Sineval monitored the League during the war with the Dilgar, observed them closely." Morann chuckled. "This isn't even a threat."

"Never the less our war is with Earth, not the League." Rathenn said. "We should contact them, inform them not to interfere."

"They fight in honour of a debt." Delenn considered. "If they do attack us it will be for a noble cause, at least from their perspective. To destroy them would be an injustice."

"So we must convince them it is better to abandon their friends than to make an enemy of us." Morann surmised.

"For once I agree." Coplann nodded. "A show of force is necessary, a demonstration of our ability to reach the League and if necessary bring it down in a single day."

"I will not support expanding this war to the League." Delenn said firmly. "I will not support taking more lives."

"I do not believe that will be necessary." Coplann explained. "Simply send a fleet to each homeworld, jump out in bombardment range and let them understand that if we wanted to we could destroy them and that it is beyond their power to stop us. A simple message."

"We will vote." Jenimer decreed. "Those in favour?"

It was unanimous.

"Provided it is just a demonstration." Delenn nodded.

"What about the Narn? They are selling weapons to Earth?" Fenner raised.

"Let them, it won't make any difference." Morann dismissed. "The outcome is inevitable."

Alaca.

"So they didn't make Sineval Shai Alyt?" Jha'dur broke out in a brief peel of laughter. "I suppose my theory was right, there is such a thing as an intelligent Minbari."

Dal'shan grunted in sympathetic amusement. "Looking at the data my brother brought back you wouldn't think it."

"Hmm, I've been waiting all week for this. Show me."

Dal'shan walked over to the screen in Jha'dur's living room, pressing a control which closed the curtains and activated the display.

"The sensors apparently worked fine, despite being first generation examples." Dal'shan slotted a data crystal into the port. "Earth allowed us a copy of the data after making sure it didn't reveal any of their secrets."

He activated the system and sat back down beside Jha'dur, both of them watching the brief Battle of Cyrus with a critical eye.

"Initial deployments are cautious on both sides." She noted. "Very linear, very straight forward."

They watched as the initial salvos were exchanged, grimacing slightly as the Minbari effortlessly sliced through the human ships.

"It took our best ships multiple strikes to bring down Earth vessels. I knew Minbari guns were superior to ours but never by how much." Jha'dur shook her head. "This gives us a direct comparison."

"Their primary weapons are neutron cannons." Dal'shan noted, pointing out energy bursts. "Very good at piercing armour but tightly contained."

"Like a scalpel." The female Warmaster reckoned. "Worthless in orbital bombardments, it isn't going to create any area of effect damage."

"Which is where these come in, anti matter conversion beams."

Jha'dur watched in interest as the Minbari finished off the last of the fleet in spectacular style.

"Alright, I'll be honest and say I really want one of those guns."

"Perhaps you can make a request from your crusty benefactors?" Dal'shan suggested, referencing the Drakh.

She huffed a harsh laugh.

"If it were only that easy."

"Are they here now?"

"No, I use the same system of energy fields here as we installed in the Council rooms and high command. Prevent our little friends from sneaking in where they aren't wanted."

"Are they wanted anywhere?"

"Fair point." Jha'dur accepted. "They are a necessary evil. Hell, that should be our motto."

"Many believe it was fate. Some race was going to be exterminated and another race would rise from obscurity to become a galactic power."

"Pity Earth ended up as the new super power and not us." Jha'dur shrugged. "Still, at least we swapped places with the Alacans for the whole extinction thing."

"Perhaps it was for the best, holding the League with Omelos gone would have been incredibly difficult." Dal'shan suggested. "Fate may have been kinder to us than we understand."

"If you believe in that sort of thing." Jha'dur rewatched the battle. "I prefer to be more proactive in deciding my fate."

"Earth fought well, they adapted tactics, they were ready to take losses. They just had no idea." The male Warmaster observed.

"Neither did we until seeing this." Jha'dur agreed. "It was vitally important we saw how the Minbari fought in a major battle. Sineval was all bluster and the Drakh wouldn't tell me a thing. Now we have our own answers."

"We can adapt our tactics appropriately." Dal'shan confirmed. "The Minbari are the greatest threat, if we can fight them we can fight anyone."

"Which makes these observations very important." Jha'dur nodded. ""The humans fought exactly as we would have done in their place, they will use tactics similar to us. By watching this war we can see how a Dilgar Minbari war would go, observe how the Minbari would adapt to fight us. It saves us a great deal of worry and pain in the future."

She paused the video as the Earth fleet collapsed again.

"The Minbari are archaic. They had the human fleet flanked on all sides but their attack ships held back." She observed. "They should have folded in and hit the humans from all sides. The battle would have ended in half the time. Why didn't they?"

"My guess, orders." Dal'shan said. "They probably had instructions to secure the flanks while the main fleet handled the EA capital ships. When they finished their task they just held position until ordered otherwise."

"I think so too. No initiative, no freedom to innovate, too much reliance on central control." Jha'dur considered. "What if the commander is someone like Sineval? That much power in such clumsy hands would be devastating if they run into a powerful enemy. I doubt any Minbari would refuse orders, even if they knew it was suicidally stupid."

"Presumably this is why Sineval is not in charge."

"He said they picked Branmer, it is not a name I am familiar with."

"How much information do you have on the Minbari?"

"Just Sineval and some basics from the Drakh." She shook her head. "I tried to send a Spectre home with our bone headed friend but their sensors are better than our stealth gear."

"So this war is a potential goldmine for us."

"The Minbari have begun deploying ground forces and have sent out scout ships. I think we can go in there and capture the odd scout or recon team, bring them back here for processing."

"it holds risk."

"So does doing nothing." Jha'dur argued. "We need to test our abilities in a controlled environment, see if our ships are capable of taking on the best. Watching Earth fight gives us a broad idea of things, but we need specifics."

"What have the Drakh said?"

"They didn't ask." She smiled. "Salasine likes to think he knows everything, that I am on his side. Necessary evil."

"They are playing us you know."

"Of course." Jha'dur confirmed. "They drip feed us technology, enough so we survive but still rely on them. They withhold what we really need, the ability to strengthen our infrastructure and stand on our own two feet. I've been studying them intensely, the Centauri have significant archives on the Drakh from the time of the Orieni war. They see themselves as puppet masters and no doubt think we are their next little toys."

"While we are surrounded by enemies like this we appear to have little choice."

"We need an alternative, someone else we can use instead of the Drakh." Jha'dur reasoned. "What we need is a friend in the galaxy."

"The Narn are very keen to be our friends."

"And we are glad to work with them, most of our trade goes to the Narn." Jha'dur agreed. "Especially as Emperor Turhan seems to dislike us. But the Narn are fair weather friends, they seek to gain something from us and if they decide we are worth more dead then their policy will change."

"The Minbari?"

"I thought so. Granted I can't stand them, they're either boring or just full of hot air, but their technology is equal or better than the Drakh and elements of their warrior caste seem to have a fascination with us. I managed to secure a few devices in exchange for offering them parts of my research, but we need more."

"Open political support for instance."

"Exactly." She nodded. "Which leads us to one inescapable conclusion. Our best chance for future independence and survival is the nation that put us in this position in the first place."

"Thank the gods we all have a sense of humour."

"Ari has asked to go back as a full time observer." Jha'dur mentioned. "I think he has earned Earth's grudging trust."

"He doesn't know any of our dealings, if he is scanned by a telepath he'll walk away clean." Dal'shan affirmed. "He'll be fine."

"Not worried for your brother Dal?"

"Sometimes I think he'd prefer life on Earth to here." Dal'shan smiled sadly. "Perhaps we should let him?"

"He is tarnished by the reputation our race holds, a reputation I helped create. It will be a long time before that is forgotten. " she offered a shrug. "Maybe it should start with him."

Proxima System

EA Space.

The mothball yard was a sight to behold, located away from the main shipping lanes few outside the military had ever seen it. Contained within laid out in neat lines were literally thousands of warships, designs going back to the first days of the Earth Alliance as a space going force. It was a visual history of the Navy, like rings in a tree marking each stage of growth. From Ancient Orestes and Tethys class ships which predated first contact with the Centauri right up to more modern ships completed after the Dilgar war. These were the vessels Earth did not need but did not wish to scrap in case they proved themselves useful in the future. Apparently that wisdom was going to pay off.

At the closest edge of the silent fleet was a relatively small space station, a white metal ring rotating on the end of a long skeletal structure used to monitor the array of vessels. It was mainly an administration post and sensor station, while unlikely it would be embarrassing if one or two of these ships went missing.

"Ten credits say our job is to supervise the reactivation order." Commander Kawoo pressed her nose against the glass of the approaching shuttle. "I think my soul died a little."

"It's vital work."

"It's a demotion." The Korean exhaled.

"Maybe we should be thankful." Black remarked. "This is out of harms way, Beta Durani is almost certainly going to get hit, and after what we did to their vanguard they'll be going in there with a vengeance."

"You really think that way Captain? You'd really prefer to be here rather than on the front lines?"

"Well…" Black began before scoffing a laugh. "Not really. Beta Prime was mine, we should be the ones preparing the defence."

Helena Black was a career officer, a veteran of the Dilgar war with a spotless service record and a colourful bunch of medals. She had commanded an Artemis class Frigate in the war acting as part of a wolf pack, operating deep behind Dilgar lines ambushing supply convoys and light warships. Her moment of glory had come when her squadron was ambushed by a heavy Pentacan build around a Mishakur Dreadnought, the standard heavy weight battleship of the DIlgar navy. Despite heavy odds she had managed to destroy the dreadnought with a few well placed rail gun rounds, then disabled two more cruisers while covering for her other ships to escape. It had earned her the Medal of honour and a promotion to Commander, followed shortly after by command of a brand new Hecate class battlecruiser.

After the war Black continued to patrol Earth's borders earning promotion to Captain along the way. She earned a few more commendations during minor skirmishes and raider hunting before taking the job commanding Beta Prime. It was a simple stepping stone job, run the station for a few years and earn a promotion to General and a nice little Task Force in the League, but of course the Minbari had rather neatly torpedoed that plan.

Both officers remained silent as their transport docked in the primitive base, run down and blank even by human standards. It was only sparsely manned, most of the crew presumably firing up the ships outside.

"Captain Black, Commander Kawoo." A male voice greeted them. "Welcome to Proxima, glad you were able to make it on time."

Both at once snapped to attention.

"Reporting as ordered sir."

"Stand easy." General Alexei Denisov allowed. "We've got a lot of business, follow me, sooner we get this done faster we can be on our way."

The two arrivals shared a look then followed the General, suddenly not quite aware what was going on.

"The Joint Chiefs haven't stopped talking about that little trick you pulled, they are impressed." Denisov told them as they left the docking bay. "You'll be glad to know the beacons were reactivated in a test though we plan to keep them off for now."

"Thank you sir." Black responded. "So the Joint Chiefs approve of the tactic?"

"We'r elooking to implement it alliance wide, selective deactivation of key beacons and laying false trails to nowhere. Anything to keep the Minbari guessing." Denisov answered. "After what you did they won't trust the beacons anymore, they'll have to bring their own and map their own routes. That will slow them down a lot and buy us time to organise a stronger defence."

Denisov had been chairman of the Joint Chiefs during the Dilgar War and was largely responsible for overall Earth strategy. His actions were considered a tremendous success and he was generally credited with introducing Earth Force to the galaxy as a force to be reckoned with. He had stepped aside from the top job a few years later to run the EA Academy before changing jobs again a few years ago and accepting command of the strategically important inner systems defence sector. In that capacity Denisov commanded Proxima and Orion colonies and had authority on any fleet assigned to defend it. In addition to their civilian populations and extensive trading both systems also maintained large ship yards and other vital strategic facilities making their defence paramount to the success of the war. Fortunately in General Denisov they had a man equal to the task.

"With respect sir I think it's time we learned our new assignment." Black stated calmly, getting a little tired of the mystery.

"You are quite forward Captain." The old Ukrainian smiled. "Very well, you deserve a clear answer. I bet you thought you were going to be given a desk to command didn't you?"

"The thought had occurred sir."

"Not at all. Your tactic was unorthodox and spur of the moment but also within the best traditions of innovation and initiative of the Force." He reached into his pocket and tossed Black a badge. "You're getting a promotion, congratulations."

She examined the badge, it was similar to the thin gold bar she wore below the enamel EA symbol on her chest, but this one had the addition of a silver star in the centre showing her promotion to a staff level officer.

"We're making you a Flag Captain." Denisov informed. "I'd have preferred to give you a shoulder star and make you a full Commodore but bureaucracy. We'll handle it later."

He brought them to a video screen and activated it, typing in his codes to bring up an image of a section of the mothball yards.

"And that Captain is your new command."

The image showed a small group of Nova Dreadnoughts, the one closest to the camera was distinctive in design. It still had ranks of guns but these were different, instead of the titanic laser/pulse cannons that the standard Nova carried this ship mounted rail guns. Each barrel was much smaller in calibre, appearing as long thin sticks compared to the more familiar stout barrels of the regular Nova, but thanks to their size were mounted four guns to a turret instead of just two.

"The Warspite." Black smiled widely. "A Rail Nova? I thought the idea was unsuccessful?"

"More they were inefficient." Denisov corrected. "We found that with Dreadnought reactors we could give a ship a huge battery of rail guns and plenty of punch, each one of those guns has four times the punch of an Artemis. Compared to a standard Nova they have much better armour penetration but cause less blast damage, so in other words you can blow holes in just about anything but they're going to be pretty small holes."

Denisov pulled back on the image, giving a wider angle.

"We were testing these at the same time as the Nova Beta, the Pulse cannon armed ships, and we decided we didn't need both. The pulse cannons cause more general damage and while the rail guns are harder hitting as a rule we decided it was overkill, nothing is standing up to thirty six capital grade pulse cannons firing five rounds per second. Coupled with the fact the pulse cannons draw fuel from the same source as the engines it also simplified our logistics. Shipping fresh ammunition for our rail gun ships in the last war was a massive headache."

"I remember going into action with only half my magazines filled most of the time." Black nodded. "So has Earth changed it's mind?"

"Not really, the Nova Beta is still our primary heavy ship. Analysis shows it is capable of killing the biggest known Minbari ship if we can get a solid lock. However we are activating every vessel fit for service and these Nova Delta series ships pack a hell of a punch. Seventy two twenty one inch rail guns, we'd be fools to discard that sort of firepower."

"Understood sir, are you assigning me to command one?"

"Actually Captain I'm giving you all five."

She raised an eyebrow. "Five sir?"

"And five Hyperion Delta series too as escort." Denisov clarified with obvious glee at her reaction. "Task Force 91, obviously based on rail gun armed ships. Based on your experience with frigate wolf packs in the last war I want you to do the same on a grander scale. Ammunition shouldn't be a problem this close to home, we're already starting up the production lines again to give you plenty of rounds, all different types. Missiles won't be a problem either so don't go easy on the ordnance."

"Understood sir. Thank you for this chance."

"You saw what happened at Cyrus Captain." Denisov aid grimly. "You know what taking the Minbari head on looks like. We need to try and soften them up before another attack, look for vulnerabilities and hit them hard. After losing their initial force they will be bringing in more ships, our plan is to raid Cyrus colony and try to sow some havoc in their rear echelon."

"I'm ready to take a shot at them sir, but it might not be pretty. Even with such a heavy raiding force even a trace of Minbari Heavy ships could give us hell."

"We have two solutions to that. First the tech boys believe they have a system to break the Minbari jammers that were so effective in our last battle. With that system broken you can engage the Minbari effectively at standard combat ranges, which of course are quite long for rail gun armed ships."

"How did we break their stealth systems so quickly sir?"

"That information is classified." Denisov returned frankly. "Second you will be going in with another two forces. Fifth Cruiser Squadron under Captain Hague, and the Ninth Dreadnought Division."

"The Jolly Rogers." Kawoo grined. "Jungle Joe."

"That would be Vice Admiral Joe Tennant of the Nemesis to you Commander." Denisov half smiled. "Until he gives you permission otherwise. He's supervising a refit to his ships, next room over. You should go introduce yourself."

Unlike the rest of the station the adjoining room was notably busy, technicians leaning over consoles and rushing back and forth with various data pads and sheets of paper. Among them were a few officers looking over the information, presumably the commanders of the respective ships in the force. Among standing clearly taller was a gigantic Maori, by now middle aged with his black hair mostly grey but still apparently strong enough to uproot trees and hit people with them.

"Are you sure this stuff is safe?" The Maori asked firmly. "Are you one hundred percent certain that installing this stuff in my ship isn't going to make her go all weird? Because I have standards, only the best sets foot on my ship."

"It won't be a problem sir, the EIA have installed a breaker between the new sensors and your old systems…"

"Old systems? Did you just suggest my ship was old?"

"Your… existing systems sir."

"Better, she gets very sensitive about her age. You know how girls get, she is a bit highly strung."

"Yes sir, right sir." The technician humoured the large man. "It will automatically isolate the system if anything unusual happens, your ship will be quite safe."

"I'll be happy if it works, kind of like giving my girl X-Ray specs. Actually now I think about it that is pretty cool. Let me know when you are done."

He turned to greet the two new officers with a broad smile.

"Joe Tennant, you must the girls from Beta Prime?"

"Yes sir."

"You basically turned off all the lights in hyperspace when the Minbari were passing a black hole right?" He checked. "So they either got lost in hyperspace or jumped into the black hole?"

"That was the plan, yes sir. We estimate eighty ships killed, including twenty Cruisers." Black offered a smile. "Almost the entire fleet from Cyrus."

"I can tell you honestly it brought a tear of manly joy to my eye when I heard that." Tennant congratulated. "That level of deviousness and inventiveness in killing the enemy is why you are here. I put in the request to have you assigned to this mission."

Black smiled. "Thank you sir, I've always wanted a Dreadnought command."

"Now you've got five, plus another five cruisers. I think I have a good officer to command them for you. Heard of Bill Hague?"

"Not that much sir."

"He's a solid man, good thinker, good tactician. I'll introduce you later." Tennant promised. "We have two Task Forces, ninety one under you and fifty four under me, plus I'll take overall command of the operation."

"Understood sir."

"This is a highly aggressive unit Captain, we don't mess around. We prefer to get up close and personal with our enemies, make sure we can put maximum fire on our targets. Every Captain is hand picked here, we are the best in the Force, I know you won't let us down."

"No sir, I think I have set the bar for Minbari kills pretty high." Black returned with an amused glance.

"Oh you're going to be trouble." Tennant grinned. "I like trouble. You know my command of course, the example she sets?"

"Everyone knows the Nemesis sir, top scoring warship of the Dilgar war."

"The Lady Nemesis is eager to get to grips with the Minbari, we used to operate with Admiral Thornhill back in the day so we're taking this personally. Lady Nemesis has a real bad temper, anger management issues, I don't think she got enough love when she was getting built."

"So I understand sir. I saw the cartoon on one of the networks a few years ago, Travels with a Space Lady or something."

"Yeah, they made her into a cartoon, quite a celebrity." Tennant grinned. "Talking starships and stuff, really cute. I liked the episode where she helped that Narn cruiser with a broken engine, got it like a crutch or something, really sweet. Not realistic of course, but I guess kids don't want to see a cartoon starship slaughtering other cartoon ships and painting its naked body in their blood. That's more how Lady Nemesis rolls."

"I can understand that sir."

"Once we've finished refitting these sensors to all ships we'll test them out." Tenant informed. "I suggest you meet your crews, we won't have long to get acquainted but they are professionals, you'll have no trouble with them."

"We'll get on it sir."

"One more thing." Tennant paused them. "Do you know why I know this team is going to be so good?"

"Why sir?"

"Because your name is Captain Black." Tennant grinned widely. "Who better to serve under the Jolly Roger? You're going to fit in here perfectly Captain, let me know when you are ready to depart, sooner the better, we have to try and improve on that kill count of yours!"