Chapter 15

Admiral's Ready room TCS Mastiff: Admiral Douglas was sitting and going over the prisoner reports from Captain Grove, his security chief and his MO. It seemed that the prisoners were in good health, and that they only revealed that they were Rangers. The Admiral knew that these prisoners might end up being a problem, especially when the EA people want to question them.

"Maybe I should have one or two of the Lt's people there as well," he thought to himself.

The intercom buzzed, and the admiral pressed the button, "Yes Ensign?"

"Admiral, two things for you sir, General Hague is on the line, and Mr. Laqua is landing even now."

"Thank you Tony, please have Mr. Laqua escorted to my ready room, and have the marines be nice about it. Then connect the general."

"Yes sir."

The monitor clicked on and General Hague was sitting in his office. "Hello Admiral."

"Hello general."

"First I want to pass on the thanks of every EA Officer and enlisted personnel in the system. That was quite a spectacular victory yesterday."

"Thank you general, I'll pass on your thanks to all of my crews."

"They deserve it, I also want to let you know that the Vice president and his people should be arriving within the hour, and they are most anxious to meet with you and your senior staff."

Now the Admiral saw that the general's face turned more serious. "Admiral, while inspecting the Minbari wreckage, we found several prisoners. I would like to turn them over to you and your people, most of them are injured, and we don't have the necessary facilities to treat them properly."

The Admiral felt that the general was probably stretching the truth, but he was willing to go along with the general. "Of course general, our medical facilities are at your disposal."

The Admiral saw the general relax a little, "Thank you Admiral. My people will have the prisoners transferred to your ships ASAP."

"Glad we could help General."

..
The general looked a bit more relaxed now, "My senior tech wants to thank your Commander Langford for her and her teams help with the salvage ops so far. It seems that they have stopped more than a few, shall we say accidents, from happening on the Minbari ships."

The admiral smiled now, "I'll be sure to tell her that General."

"Well the R+D people will be kept busy for a while going over everything we found on the ships, and going over the materials that you sent us as well."

"We were more than happy to help General."

The general looked at his watch, "Well Admiral, I've got my paperwork to finish and I have to change before the Veep arrives, so with any luck, I will see you at 19:00 on the Mastiff."

"Looking forward to it General."

The monitor clicked off, and the Admiral just sat there for a moment, and then pressed the intercom.

"Tony, get me Dr. Lloyd, and is Mr. Laqua here yet?"

"Yes sir, he just arrived."

"Ok, get me the Doctor first then send him in in 5 minutes."

"Yes sir."

The monitor clicked on again, and he saw Dr. Lloyd on the screen. "Heidi, have you gone over the reports from the MO on the Bull Run yet?"

"Of course Admiral, why?"

"You may want your staff to go over them again ASAP, you may be getting wounded prisoners from the engagement."

"Of course Admiral, we'll be ready."

Now the admiral relaxed, "Thanks Heidi." and clicked off the monitor.

..
There was a knock on the door; "Come." and a marine opened the door for Mr. Laqua. The admiral put on his best smile, "Please have a seat Mr. Laqua, you and I need to talk."

Sam sat in the chair in front of the Admiral's desk, and tried his best to relax, "What about Admiral?"

Smiling at him, the admiral just pushed a report toward him. "Read section 7, and tell me if that part is correct." Sam looked at the report for a minute, and then set it back on the desk.

"Yep, pretty much."

"Can you tell me how a single civilian fighter was able to take down a Minbari frigate?"

Sam shrugged his shoulders, "A lucky shot, I guess."

The admiral sat for a moment, and then started to laugh, soon both men were laughing.

"You are truly a privateer Mr. Laqua, or can I call you Sam?"

"Please, call me Sam."

"Well Sam, it may interest you to know that I was a privateer once myself. I worked in the Gemini sector, had an old Tarsus, still do. It's now my personal launch, my last crew fixed her up when they thought I was dieing," The admiral held up his hand to prevent any questions, "Long story."

The Admiral opened his desk drawer and took out a brown bottle, and two glasses. He poured 3 fingers of an amber liquid into each one, and then put the bottle away.

"So Sam, tell me your story, and don't leave out anything."

..
Sam took the glass and sipped the drink, a smooth single malt scotch. "Well admiral, it all started about a year ago, with a Vid-letter from my grandfather,"

Sam told the admiral, of how he became a privateer, and some of his exploits. He also told him of the artifact that he had been given as a down payment. How he managed to find out about this race called the Steltek, and how he had tracked down their old derelict ship. He told him of finding the cannon, and installing it on his ship. He told him of the meeting with the Steltek ship on the way to the rendezvous and then getting them to set up the weapon properly. "The rest you know Admiral."

Admiral Douglas looked at Sam, "Would you mind if my tech people examined the weapon Sam?"

Sam just smirked, "Good luck with that Admiral, I've tried several times to open it up. I've broken 4 spanners, 5 screwdrivers and a laser cutter trying to open it up."

"So how did the Steltek fix it?"

Sam looked at him, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me Sam."

"Well, the Steltek ship just sorta reached out and touched the cannon. I saw that there was a lump of goo on the cannon, but it was quickly absorbed into the gun. After that, the damn thing was firing a whole lot better than before."

"What did this goo look like Sam?"

"A sort of Blue-green phlegm."

Now Sam finished his drink, "Admiral, if your people want to scan the weapon, be my guest, but to quote my mom, "You break it you buy it," got it?"

Admiral Douglas just nodded his head, "Thank you Sam. My people will try not to break it."

Sam got up, "Glad I could help admiral. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a date with a young lady from weapons control." and he winked.

As soon as he left, the Admiral had the his aide contact the Tech department and ask them to run some detailed scans on Sam's ship.

..
Admiral Douglas then contacted Captain Grove on the Bull Run. "Jeff, when you come over for the formal meeting, I'd like you to bring the Minbari leader with you."

Captain Grove looked a little nervous, "Is that wise Admiral?"

The admiral looked at him, and then smiled, "I don't mean to meet with the EA people, I want him here to act as a translator for the prisoners were getting from the engagement."

Captain Grove just nodded, "Of course sir, we'll be there within the hour."

"Thanks Jeff."

Then the admiral looked at his watch, "Just enough time to work out before the guest's arrive," he thought. He then went to his quarters and changed into a worn sweat suit and running shoes, and headed for the gym. After a quick workout and run, he went and cleaned up and prepared for the arriving dignitaries.

..
Captain's ready room, TCS Bull Run: Captain Grove contacted marine Captain Noah Daniels. "Captain, the admiral just called, it seems that some Minbari survivors were found on the ships, and he would like it if Nosann was taken over to the Mastiff, to act as a translator. How soon can you be ready to go?"

"In about 10 minutes sir."

"Very good captain. Oh just in case, you better wear your dress uniform, there may be dignitaries on the Mastiff."

"Yes sir, I'll have Nosann at the landing bay in 15 minutes then."

Captain Grove just smiled, "See you there captain."

Captain Daniels went to his quarters and quickly changed, and then headed to the brig. He went to Nosann's cell, "It seems that there were some injured Minbari survivors of the battle, and our Fleet commander would like for you to translate for our medical staff."

Nosann stood up, "I am willing to serve."

The marines opened his cell, and put electronic manacles on his wrists. Then he and Captain Daniels headed for the flight deck, to shuttle over with Captain Grove. On the flight deck, Nosann met Captain Grove, as the others saluted, Nosann bowed slightly.

"I want to thank you for your help Mr. Nosann, I doubt many of your people speak English."

Nosann looked at Captain Grove. "As I doubt many of your people speak my tongue."

Captain Grove just nodded his head, and then they boarded the shuttle and headed for the Mastiff.

..
Flight deck Alpha, TCS Mastiff: At 19:00, the Admiral and Colonel Ellison were awaiting the incoming EA shuttle on flight deck alpha. As the shuttle touched down, the two men and the marine honor guard moved into place. The first man off the shuttle was General Hague, and two other men, and several security agents followed him. Admiral Douglas saluted him and put out his hand, "General Hague, a pleasure to see you again."

The general took his hand, "Likewise Admiral. I would like to introduce Lt Commander Jeffery Sinclair, my adjutant, and Major Thomas Riley, head of the advanced security detail for Vice President Santiago."

The Admiral shook their hands, "Gentlemen, this is Col. Ellison, Fleet marine commander, and head of fleet security."

Colonel Ellison just nodded to the men, and saluted General Hague. Major Riley now addressed Col. Ellison, "Col. I'd like to go over your security arrangements before the Vice-President arrives. If you don't mind."

..
The group was interrupted by the arrival of the incoming shuttle from the Bull Run. Admiral Douglas excused himself and headed over to the shuttle, were he met Captain Grove. As the others were stepping off the shuttle, one of the EA security men saw Nosann and pulled his PPG, 'Minbari' was all he shouted as he started to fire. Captain Grove knocked the Admiral down, and Captain Daniels jumped onto Nosann, and was hit in the back. Colonel Ellison moved now and kicked the weapon from the man's hand, and then did a roundhouse kick to his head, sending him sprawling to the deck. The other EA security people had their weapons out, and soon the marines on the flight deck were covering all of them.

It was a tense moment, but General Hague was the first to speak, "Major Riley, have your people stand down, NOW!"

Captain Grove, after quickly checking the Admiral, moved to Captain Daniels. He saw the large wound on his back; he shouted at one of the Crew chiefs, "Get a Medical team here now."

Soon they heard on the PA "Medical emergency landing bay Alpha." being repeated.

..
Admiral Douglas looked over everything quickly, and then went over to Major Riley. "Major, Is this how you train your people? Shoot first, and then question the survivors."

Major Riley didn't say anything. The Medical team was running onto the flight deck, and the Admiral directed Dr Lloyd to the injured Marine. Now the Admiral looked at the Major, he took a deep breath, and tried to keep calm.

"Major, you and your team can do your security check, but with two conditions. First, you'll surrender all weapons to my marines, and second, he is in my ship's brig in the next 5 minutes." and he pointed to the man still out cold on the flight deck.

Major Riley looked at the Admiral, "Sir, I'm very sorry about your man, and I'll see to it that my officer is punished for his actions. But I can't order my people to hand over their weapons, or one of my agents."

The admiral and the general stepped closer to the major, and the Admiral spoke to him softly, so that only the three of them could hear him. "Major, either you hand over your weapons and your agent right now, or I'll have my marines take them. And just so you know, Captain Daniels is a very popular marine officer. You make the call Major."

Now the General spoke, "Well Major, what's it going to be?"

Major Riley grudgingly agreed. "Ok people, you heard them. Hand them over. Vasquez, get Taylor's weapon."

One of the men snapped to attention, "Yes sir."

The Admiral looked at Col. Ellison, "See to it that he makes it to the brig. And Col., no accidents."

Colonel Ellison looked at the Admiral, "Yes sir." then he and 4 marines escorted the EA security man to the brig.

..
Dr. Lloyd found Captain Daniels was unconscious, and there was a large burn on his back. As the med techs cut away his uniform, she was scanning him.

"Massive plasma burn, with collateral nerve, muscle and circulatory damage."

She turned to the med techs, "Start an IV of Regen 6, full open. Then dress the wound, and get him to sick bay alpha, we'll operate as soon as we're there."

"Yes ma'am." and the techs started to do as she said.

Meanwhile Captain Grove was helping Nosann up, "Are you alright?"

Nosann nodded his head, "Why did he do that Captain Grove?"

Captain Grove looked at Nosann, "He was doing his duty. You were under his care, and your safety was his responsibility."

"How is he?"

Captain Grove shook his head, "I don't know, but he's got the best doc in the fleet working on him."

The two of them watched as the techs and Dr. Lloyd worked on the young marine. Soon they had him on a gurney and were rushing him to sick bay.

..
General Hague and Commander Sinclair watched as the medics were working on the marine. Commander Sinclair looked at the Minbari that the marine had saved, he found himself wondering why did he do it, and would he have done the same for the Minbari.

General Hague came up to Admiral Douglas, "In light of what's happened, I'll understand if you want to postpone the meeting admiral."

Admiral Douglas turned and looked at him, "No general, thank you, but this meeting is to important to postpone."

Now General Hague looked at Major Riley, "Major, I suggest you do your inspection and be quick about it. As for your man, I will see to it that he is given proper legal representation, as the Senior EA Officer of this system, I will review any charges brought by the Admiral or his personnel. And major you and officer Taylor better pray that that marine survives."

Major Riley just saluted the General, and then gathered his people, to hand out inspection assignments. A few minutes later, Col. Ellison came back, "The prisoner is secured sir, and we made sure he didn't fall down."

The admiral just nodded, "Thank you Col. Now why don't you see to helping the Major with his inspection, then get them off my ship."

"Yes sir."

..
Col Ellison and his marines escorted the inspection team out of the flight deck. Then Commander Sinclair had to ask the Admiral something. "Admiral, why do you have a Minbari prisoner here on your ship?"

The Admiral looked at him, "Because he speaks English, and I don't think to many of the wounded prisoners will speak our language."

Commander Sinclair just nodded his head, "General, if it's alright with you, I would like to accompany the prisoner while he's here."

"I don't have a problem with that, but that decision is up to the Admiral."

Admiral Douglas looked at the Lt. Commander, "I don't see a problem with it commander."

"Thank you sir."

Captain Grove came over to them, with Nosann beside him, "Admiral Douglas, I would like to introduce Anla-shok Nosann, of the Minbari."

Nosann bowed slightly. Admiral Douglas bowed in return, "It is a pleasure to meet you Anla-shok Nosann, and I want to thank you for volunteering to help us as a translator."

"It is my pleasure to serve sir, and I will have a chance to see how your people will react to a Minbari close up."

The General looked at him now, "I wish to apologize for the actions of the man who shot at you, not all humans react without thinking."

Nosann looked at the General, "I know of many Minbari warriors who would have reacted the same. I hope that your man will survive, he has been good to me and my people."

The Admiral looked at Nosann, "We all hope that he survives, he is a good man, and a fine officer."

..
The Admiral's comm. link beeped, "Sir, we have the EA shuttles arriving, ETA is 2 minutes."

"Thank you Captain Tate, have them land in Beta bay, the Med Techs are setting up there."

"Yes sir."

The admiral looked at Captain Grove, "Jeff, would you mind escorting Mr. Nosann, I'm going to check on Captain Daniels before the meeting."

"Of course Admiral."

"Oh and Lt Commander Sinclair will be joining you."

"Yes sir."

The two groups headed off in two different directions now, with General Hague joining the Admiral.

..
Beta Durani Space: The ship phased in from hyperspace, and he sang to it. The ship began to scan the system, and he watched and listened to the reports. Most of the ships were those of the humans of earth, but some of them were very different. These were the ones he was interested in, so he sang for the ship to move closer, but to stay hidden. He looked at the scans, and saw that most of the crews on these new ships were human, but there were other races as well, and from the thoughts he was hearing, they seemed to be working together. Now he listened to the reports of the damage done to the Children's ships, and saw that Anti-matter had been used. None of the younger children should have anti-matter yet. Then his ship started to sing very loudly, and this drew his attention from the reports. There was something very wrong here, and his ship was acting as if it was worried. Now he sang to it, trying to calm it down, then he saw what had worried his ship. On one of the strange ships, he saw the readings, and he had to recheck them again. The second set was as the first; these beings had first one technology on their ship. The question was how did they get that technology. Now Kosh Naranek began to sing to himself, a song that would help him to send his thoughts far across space. He soon found the mind he searched for.

"Father First One. Why do you help these children, the humans?"

"Kosh Naranek, I have not helped any of the younger ones, nor have I interfered with them."

"But Father First One, they have your peoples technology."

"Show me Kosh Naranek."

Kosh thought of the scan results for a moment.

"Ah Kosh, my child, these young humans have technology from my people, but not from this universe. My people have traversed the multiverse for over 2,000 millennium. I sense that they are just humans, just a little more advanced than you and your brothers are used to."

"Will the circle hold father first one?"

"If it is destined to hold, it will hold."

Then Kosh could no longer feel the Father first ones mind. He knew he had to tell his people of this new development, and soon.