Chapter 4

Conference room Gray 5 TCS Mastiff: Admiral Douglas looked at the 2 EA officers for a moment.

"So your war with the Minbari started because one of your Captains opened fire on their ships."

Captain Santiago just shook his head, "Yes Admiral. We found out from our alien contacts that the attack caused the death of their leader, a Minbari called Dukhat. This war has become a holy war for them, and from what our Intel people have seen, the Minbari want to completely wipe out humanity."

The Admiral sat back and thought. He had seen religious fanaticism before, with the cult of Sivar. If the Minbari held to that same level of worship, then the human race was truly in trouble.

Commander Langford spoke next, "Has no one tried to meet or negotiate with the Minbari?"

Lt. Masterson looked at her, "All attempts to communicate with the Minbari have been useless. The Minbari won't even talk to humans."

Captain Santiago looked at the Admiral, "Admiral, we've seen some of your technology, and to say we're impressed would be an grand understatement. With technology like yours, we could easily stand up to the Minbari, maybe even beat them."

"That Captain is something that I and my people will have to think about. In the meantime, we need something from you. And from what you've told us, I think we can help each other out a little."

Captain Santiago looked at the Admiral, "What do you have in mind Admiral?"

"We've seen that your ship is damaged, we can help your people to repair it, and we can help with any wounded you may have aboard your ships. We can also offer to protect your ships while the repairs are being completed."

"And what would you ask for in return?"

"Copies of your star maps. So we can update our maps."

Captain Santiago thought for a moment, "That seem like a reasonable deal, but Admiral, I have a few more questions to ask if you don't mind."

"Not at all Captain."

"Well Admiral, judging from your technology, you and your people are not from this area of space. But your language, mannerisms and even your food all seem to be from Earth. Why is that?"

"That Captain may be a little difficult to explain."

Taking another drink of his coffee, Captain Santiago sat back and looked at the Admiral. "We're all ears Admiral."

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Commander Langford looked at the Admiral, and he just nodded his head. "If I may Captain, I think I can explain it best."

"Please do Commander."

"You're right, we are not from this part of space. In fact, we're not even from this galaxy. As near as we can determine, we're not even from this dimension."

Captain Santiago and Lt Masterson just looked at them with apparent disbelief in their eyes.

"Allow me to explain my theory Captain. Were we come from; we travel from system to system using a device we call a jump drive. We find certain areas of space were the gravitational forces of the universe are thin, and we then subject those areas to anti-graviton particles. This causes the areas of space to connect, and form a type of wormhole. We then pass through these wormholes and come out in another system. Well, a few days ago, we were trying to capture a marauding alien vessel, and the vessel had opened a jump point. The vessel was hit with weapons fire, and the release of energy from its destruction caused a massive flux in the wormhole that enveloped our fleet, and deposited us here. We believe that the massive amounts of energy from the alien ship caused the wormhole to connect to another dimension, instead of another star system. That's why we would like to get copies of your star maps."

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Captain Santiago looked first at the Commander, and then at the Admiral, "Let's say that I believe you, and you are from another dimension. Is it safe for me to assume that you are from Earth?"

The Admiral looked at him, "Well, many of my people are from earth, but many are from other worlds in the Terran Confederation. A small number of my people aren't even human."

Lt Masterson looked at them with a small amount of shock, "You have aliens among your crews?"

"A small number Lt. Anyone from the Confederation is allowed to enlist in the military. Is that a problem Lt."

"Well, uh no sir, it's just that our ships don't have aliens as part of the crew."

"I see, and how many alien worlds do you have in the Earth Alliance?"

"Uh none sir."

"Well then Lt, if you did have alien worlds in your alliance, would you then have aliens on your ships?"

"I suppose so sir."

"So now you see why we have aliens in our crews Lt."

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The Admiral looked at his watch, and then at the two EA officers. "Gentlemen, you've given me a lot to think about. Why don't we end our meeting here for now, and see about making arrangements for the care of your wounded, and the repairs on your ship."

Captain Santiago nodded his head in agreement, and then looked at the Admiral. "Sir, if I may, I would like to contact our people and let them know we are alright. We were due at Beta Durani two hours ago."

The Admiral looked at him, "I trust that you will keep our meeting confidential for now."

"Believe me Admiral, if I told my superiors about your people, they would think I was either crazy, or a dreamer."

"Very well then Captain, I'll trust your word."

"Thank you Admiral, and I'll have a copy of our star maps transmitted to your ship immediately."

The 5 of them stood up, and the Admiral and Captain shook hands.

"The sergeant will escort you back to your ship gentlemen. Doctor Lloyd, why don't you go with them to their ship and start arranging for the transport of their wounded."

"Yes Admiral."

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After the others had left, the Admiral looked at Commander Langford. "You laid it on a little thick Hershell. And did you have to be so honest?"

"Sir. You know how I am, I speak my mind, and I don't like to lie."

"I know that, but you could have been a little more tactful."

"Perhaps sir, but by being honest, we got to see their real reactions."

"So what is your read on them?"

"Well sir, I think that Captain Santiago is a man who is open and honest. The truth, no matter how bizarre doesn't seem to faze him. But his Lt. Now he is a real piece of work. He must have had some psych training, because he was more or less observing us through most of the meeting. Judging our reactions, and trying to size us up. It wasn't until you mentioned that we have nonhuman crewmembers that you got a rise out of him. Even then he quickly recovered."

"So do we trust them?"

"For now sir, I say yes, to a limited degree."

"I agree, I think it will be wise to play our cards close to our vests for now."

"Yes sir."

"When you get the star maps, I want you and the Nav crews to begin an immediate comparison of them to ours. Also, have the Tyr and Yoshi scout this system for jump points. We may have to get out of here in a hurry."

"Yes sir."

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Once on board their shuttle, Captain Santiago looked at Lt Masterson. "Well Lt, what did you think of our visitors?"

"Honestly Captain, I'm not sure. For the most part, they seem to have been honest and forthcoming, but their CO is a hard man to read."

"Anything else?"

"Yes sir. Did you see the armor and hardware on the Marines? These people are obviously no strangers to combat and warfare. I also get the feeling that their CO isn't telling everything he knows sir."

Captain Santiago just chuckled a little. "Did you ever meet a General who did Lt?"

Lt Masterson just smiled a bit, "No sir."

"So the question is, do we trust them?"

"I think so sir, but that call is yours to make."

Captain Santiago just thought about things as the shuttle made its way back to the James Carter.

As soon as they landed, he activated his comm.-link and called sickbay.

"Dr Mitchell, prepare to have all wounded transferred to the TCS Mastiff. Their CMO has agreed to help with the care of our wounded. And Dr, I want you to go with them and assure that they are getting the best care possible."

"Yes Captain."

Now the Captain called to the bridge. "Mickey, I want you to send a copy of our star maps to the TCS Mastiff, and then arrange to meet with their ship tenders, to see about repairs to the Jimmy Carter. And send a message to Beta Durani and inform them that we have heaved to, to make repairs, that's all."

"Aye aye Captain."

Captain Santiago looked at the Lt; "I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, if the brass don't muck it up."

The Lt just smirked, "Yes sir Captain."

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Unknown system, Patrol flight Alpha Timber wolf Squadron, 1 hours later:

"Lockjaw to Dragonfly, I have a large unknown bogey on bearing six five niner, range 1.2 mil-K. It's showing the same EMCOM as the vessel Galahad encountered earlier."

"Roger Lockjaw, I show it as well. Let's get its bearing and send to home. Over."

"Roger Dragonfly. Sending data to home on tight beam."

"Do you think they spotted us yet?"

"I don't know, but let's not get any closer if we don't have to."

"Roger that, setting parallel course."

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Bridge of TCS Mastiff: The CAG came over to the Captain. "Sir, Alpha patrol has picked up a bogey, showing similar EMCOM as the ship that attacked the Galahad and Jason earlier."

"How far out are they Colonel?"

"About 25 minutes sir. They appear to be following the course used by the ships when they returned to the fleet."

"Are they aware of the patrols presence yet."

"I don't think so sir, because if they are, they haven't made any aggressive moves against them."

"Very well, send this to the patrol. You are to maintain discreet contact. Take no actions at this time. If bogey makes any aggressive action toward them, they are to make for the fleet on a secure course."

"Yes sir."

As the CAG went to send the message the Captain buzzed the Admiral.

"Admiral, our patrol has made contact with a bogey, it may be with the same people as the other ship."

"Have we been detected Captain?"

"We don't believe so at this time."

"Alright Leroy, I'm on my way."

Five minutes later, the Admiral entered the bridge. "So any word on the bogey?"

"No sir, not since our first message."

"What's their ETA?"

"If they continue following the course used by the Galahad and the others, 20 minutes sir. I recommend we go to condition one sir."

"I agree Leroy, and have Lt Kirhaka report to the bridge immediately."

The comm. tech passed the orders to the fleet, and paged the Lt. Captain Tate looked at the Admiral for a moment, and then asked him why.

"Let's say I'm playing a hunch Leroy."

A few minutes later, the Lt was on the bridge. "Lt Kirhaka reporting as ordered sir."

"Lt, I want you to take over auxiliary comm. station. We are about to meet a ship that refuses to talk to humans. If they see your face, then perhaps they will be inclined to talk before shooting."

The tall Firekan nodded her head. "A wise idea sir."

"That's why I've got the star Lt."

Now the Admiral looked at the Captain. "Have the Paradigm's and the tenders move closer to the EA ships as a screen for them."

"Yes sir."

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The Admiral now went over to Commander Langford at the Nav station. "Any luck with the star maps Captain Santiago sent over?"

Hershell looked at the Admiral, "Yes sir. From the charts that we got from the EA, I now know that we are in the Westminster system. Which by our maps is the Weslyn system. And Beta Durani, where they were headed corresponds with the Sirius system on our charts."

"So what about a jump point?"

Hershell brought up the Weslyn system on one of the monitors. Sir, in our charts, there is a planet in the Weslyn system. But here there is an asteroid belt at the same location. Now accounting for a slightly different gravity field, we estimate that the jump point for the Sirius system should be here." and a marked location showed on the map.

"I have the Yoshi checking it out now."

"Let me know what they discover as soon as possible."

"Yes sir."

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Bridge of the Golden Star: Shai Alyt Vassann looked at the holographic display of space around his ship. The ion trails they were following had been highlighted for him to see.

"Are the trails getting any stronger?"

His XO looked at the scanner tech, who just nodded. "Yes Shai Alyt the trails of the earther ships are getting stronger, but the other trails are not."

The Shai Alyt looked at him, "That is strange is it not Laramm?"

"Yes sir. It would seem that the other ships must use some device that causes their trails to disperse faster than the earther ships."

"I can see how that would be useful on a warship. We might learn something from these people Laramm."

"Yes Shai Alyt."

"Let me know when we are in scanner range, I wish to see these unknown vessels. I will be in my quarters."

"Yes Shai Alyt."

As the Shai Alyt entered his quarters, he went to the far wall, where he had an alter set up. He lit 3 candles then knelt before the altar. He then began his meditations. But he couldn't seem to relax as he wanted. There were to many questions in his head.

"What were these new ships like? How could they destroy a frigate and take no damage themselves? Why are they helping the earther barbarians?"

Try as he might, he just couldn't reach the state that he wanted. The ringing of the comm. system broke the silence of the room. His XO was calling, "Shai Alyt, I think you should return to the bridge."

He stood up and snuffed out the candles, his meditations would have to wait for now. Perhaps he would get some answers to his questions now.

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Bridge of EAS James Carter: Captain Santiago and his crew could tell that something was up, by the way the TCS ships were starting to move. Four of the warships had moved closer to the convoy ships and the James Carter. The two tender ships had also move closer to the convoy as well.

"Mickey, I think something's up. The Admiral just gave us some firepower, which is most likely for protection. Anything on scans?"

"No Captain, but they probably have a greater range on their scanners."

The comm. tech called the Captain, "Sir, I've got the Admiral on the line sir."

"On screen."

Soon the face of Admiral Douglas came on the screen. "Captain Santiago. We have an inbound bogey, it appears to be Minbarri. I am going to try and talk our way out of this, but if we can't, I've ordered the Paradigm's to act as a shield for you and your convoy. If this does become a shooting match, I want you and your convoy to head to these coordinates."

Captain Santiago looked at the coordinates. "Admiral, that's the other side of the system."

"I know that Captain, but it will put you and your people out of harms way."

Captain Santiago thought for a moment, "Alright Admiral, we'll do it your way, and good luck."

"To us all Captain." The signal then ended.