Chapter 18

Admiral Douglas's Ready room: Admiral Douglas and General Hague stepped into the room, and the admiral sat down behind his desk.

"General, does Earthforce have a Judge Advocates office?"

General Hague just nodded his head. "Then I'm going to have my JAG people get with yours, and determine the charges against agent Taylor."

The general again nodded. "Admiral, I have to ask that you turn Taylor over to my people for safe keeping."

He raised his hand to stop the Admiral's response. "I know that agent Taylor is in your brig, and that you have vouched for his safety. But Admiral, we both know that for his safety, it might be better if he was transferred to the brig on Beta Durani station."

The Admiral looked at him for a moment and he knew that he was right. Even though he had assured the general of the mans safety, he also knew how popular captain Daniels had been with the other marines of the fleet.

"Alright general, I'll have Colonel Ellison arrange the transfer first thing in the morning."

"Thank you Admiral. Oh by the way do you have any glasses here?"

The admiral looked at him for a moment, then opened his desk drawer and took out two glasses. The general took a flask out of an inside pocket and opened it.

"I had brought this along to toast our new alliance, but I think that we should have a drink in captain Daniels honor."

The general took the glasses and poured a clear beverage into them, and then went to a wall sink and poured a splash into it. He then closed the flask and put it away. The two men picked up the glasses and raised them.

General Hague looked at the Admiral, "To Captain Noah Daniels, may his actions today lead to a better understanding between humans and the Minbari."

The Admiral continued, "And may all our peoples learn from his heroic actions."

The two men downed their drinks, and the Admiral relished the burning feeling of the drink. After they set their drinks down, the two men set about the hard tasks of arranging for the funeral, and the upcoming trail.

..
Vice President Santiago's office on Earthforce two: Senator Clark just looked on in disbelief. "Mr. Vice President, I can't believe that you're actually going to go through with this."

The Vice President looked at him, "Of course I am. I've already spoken to President Levy, and she agrees. Agent Taylor acted rashly, and a good man died because of that rash action."

Senator Clark looked exasperated, "He was shooting at a Minbari for gods sake."

"NO!" the Vice president yelled as he slammed his hand on the desk.

"He shot at a detained and handcuffed prisoner. A prisoner, who was not only under guard, but was there on the ship to act as a translator for other wounded prisoners. Agent Taylor is lucky that he is only being charged with Attempted Murder of a prisoner and the Murder of a superior allied officer."

He looked at the senator; "Some of the people in earth dome want to charge him as a war criminal, because the Minbari he shot at was a POW."

The Senators face blanched a little at that remark. "You can't be serious sir."

"I'm deadly serious senator. But President Levy has calmed them down a bit by promising them that agent Taylor would, if convicted, receive up to the maximum penalty allowed by law."

The senator saw the color drain from the Vice President when he said that.

"What is the maximum penalty?"

The Vice President looked at him, "Spacing."

Both men just sat in silence after he said that.

..
General Leftcourt's Office Earth dome: The general shook Commander Sheridan's hand, "I'm glad you argued to stay where you were at John. Because of you, we have a real victory against the Minbari. That along with the victory of our new allies seems to have made the Minbari want to talk to us."

John Sheridan looked at the general, "Is this an official request, general."

He shook his head, "No it's not, but John, it's a first step. And it's one that the president doesn't want messed up."

The Commander looked at him, "So why me?"

"Because you've shown that you can think on your feet, and you've beaten them once before."

"And I'm expendable." the commander said quietly.

"So am I going alone?"

The general pushed a button on his desk, and the main door opened. A narn male walked in and bowed slightly.

"Commander Sheridan, this is G'Kar of the Narn Regime. He will be accompanying you and the other member of your negotiating team."

G'Kar smiled, "I will be acting as your interpreter, as I am fluent in Minbari and English."

..
The second door opened and security agents led in a man. "Commander Sheridan, Mr. G'Kar this is Dr. Stephan Franklin, the third person of your team. He's had extensive contact with the Minbari before the war, so he'll know if they are Minbari or not."

Commander Sheridan looked at the Dr., "I take it you volunteered."

Dr Franklin looked at him, "It was the only way to get out of the brig." he held up his hand, "It's a long story."

"I look forward to hearing it sometime."

The commander turned to the general, "So when do we leave sir?"

The general handed a sealed data crystal to the commander. "You're to take this to General Hague on Beta Durani station, and then you will proceed to a listening post we have here in the Edding system."

The commander looked at the General, "Sir I'm not really a diplomat, or a negotiator."

"I know that John, we're sending you to feel them out. If they're for real, we'll send in a full negotiating team."

"What, if anything can I promise or tell them sir?"

"Well John, until we hear back from you, we are holding at an unofficial truce. No offensives are being undertaken. John, Earth Alliance needs time. That's the most important thing you can buy us."

Commander Sheridan nodded his head, "Yes sir."

The general came around his desk and shook all of their hands, "Good luck and god bless you all."

..
Centauri Embassy Geneva Earth: Londo Molari was sitting in his office when one of his aides came in, "Sir, this data crystal just arrived for you."

He took the crystal, and looked at him, "Thank you, now leave."

The young man left rapidly and Londo put the crystal in his data reader. "Hmmm, this is interesting. What are you up to with the Narn's?" he said to quietly to himself.

He then activated his monitor and connected a private call to his contact in the Imperial Navy. He passed on the time and coordinates of a suspected Narn weapon shipment to earth forces. "See to it that the weapons never reach Earth."

Then he cut the signal. "Try to deal behind our back with our enemy, ha, we Centauri perfected that play."

..
Beta Durani Station Court room: The presiding JAG judge had listened to all of the evidence and witness's, and was now about to address the Defendant. "Agent Taylor, it is the finding of this court that there is insufficient evidence to charge you with the murder of Captain Noah Daniels."

Agent Taylor and his lawyer visibly relaxed. The judge continued, "But this court does find that there is more than sufficient evidence to charge you with manslaughter. How do you plead to that charge?"

Agent Taylor looked up at the judge, "May I say something sir?"

"Of course."

"Sir, I reacted rashly when I saw the Minbari prisoner on board the ship. I opened fire, in a moment of panic. I didn't mean to hurt anyone else, but a good man died because of what I did. I can only apologies to his family and friends, and hope that some day they can forgive me."

The judge looked at him now. "Agent Taylor. How do you plead to the charge of manslaughter?"

"Guilty sir."

The judge nodded his head. "Agent Taylor, since you have plead guilty to the charge, it is the sentence of this court that you be taken to a place of confinement for not less than 25 years, and that you be stripped of all military rank and privileges. Sentence to begin immediately."

The security guards came and took the prisoner away.

The judge banged his gavel once, "These proceedings are now closed."

..
Admiral Douglas was sitting next to Megan Daniels, and he held her hand. She looked at him, "Is it over now sir?"

"Yes Megan, it's over now."

They got up and started to leave the courtroom. "Admiral, I want to thank you for the Eulogy you gave at Noah's funeral."

"It was my honor Megan."

She leaned her head against his chest now, and a tear started down her cheek. He escorted her back to the Bull Run. As they were walking to the shuttle, he asked her, "So what's it like having a Minbari Ranger as a protector?"

She smiled a little, "It's strange sir, yet comforting. Nosann is doing what he can for me, but he is still a prisoner. Captain Grove has given him some liberties, but he's still under guard."

The Admiral saw a funny look on her face, "Is there anything else crewman?"

She looked at him, "Yes sir, Nosann asked me if I wished to learn the ways of the Anla-shok."

"And what did you tell him?"

"I told him I would think about it sir."

The admiral looked at her, "Well if you need some leave time to sort things out, I'm sure Captain Grove will accommodate your request."

"Thank you sir."

..
General Hague's office Beta Durani station: Commander Sheridan's group met with the General and he handed him the data crystal. The General played the crystal, and he actually smiled. He got up from his desk and asked the three of them to come with him, and they headed for the landing bay. Soon a shuttle was on its way to the Mastiff. Once the shuttle arrived, the four of them stepped out, and the Commander, G'Kar and the Dr. all realized that this ship had gravity. All that Commander Sheridan could do was whistle softly. G'Kar was amazed as well.

"General, do you think it would be possible for my engineers to talk to your new allies as well?"

The General looked at him, "That Mr. G'Kar isn't up to me, it's up to the man we're going to see."

Ensign Femia met the group, and after introductions were made, the General asked if the Admiral was available. "I'm sorry sir, the Admiral is escorting Crewman Daniels back to the Bull Run. But he should be back shortly."

The General asked Ensign Femia if they could get a tour of the ship while they were waiting.

"I'll have to clear it with Captain Tate sir, but I don't think it will be a problem."

"Thank you ensign."

Ensign Femia went to a comm. unit and called the Captain, about 5 minutes later Lt Commander Langford arrived on the flight deck.

"General Hague, a pleasure to see you again."

"Ah Lt Commander, I'd like to introduce Commander John Sheridan, and Dr. Franklin of Earthforce, and Mr. G'Kar of the Narn regime."

Lt Commander Langford shook their hands, "Gentlemen. If you'll follow me, I can give you a tour of the Mastiff."

..
The tour was brief yet very thorough, and G'Kar was amazed to say the least. He was constantly asking the Commander about different systems of the ship, and Hershell while polite, gave him very limited answers. After about 20 minutes, the Commander was paged, and when she checked in, she was informed that the Admiral was back and was waiting to see them.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, but the admiral is back and he's waiting to see you."

She took them to the Admiral's office, and on the way there Dr. Franklin asked Commander Sheridan if it would be alright if he went to the sickbay.

"I don't see why not Dr. if the Lt commander doesn't mind escorting you."

Hershel smiled, "It would be a pleasure Dr. Franklin."

"Please call me Stephan."

"Only if you call me Hershell," she said sweetly. As they arrived at the Admiral's office, Hershell took Dr. Franklin's arm and led him toward sickbay.

..
Admiral Douglas's Office TCS Mastiff: The general, Commander Sheridan and G'Kar entered the Admiral's office, and he welcomed them. The general made the necessary introductions, and then he got down to business.

"Admiral about 3 days ago the Narn regime was quietly approached by members of the Minbari government. It seems that after the two victories that happened, they wished to begin to talk to us."

The admiral nodded, "At least it's a start general."

"That's what the politico's at Earth dome think as well. So they are sending Commander Sheridan and his group to meet with a representative of the Minbari. The meeting is to take place in the Edding system, where we have an old abandoned base."

"So what do you need from me General?"

The general smiled, the admiral didn't waste time. "Admiral, the president would like you to send one of your ships along, and she wanted to ask you if you would help us with a touchy situation."

"What sort of situation general?"

The general looked at him, "As a sign of good faith on the Earths part, she wants to return the Minbari POW's."

"Well general, that is one hell of a sign of good faith. I think that we could send a ship along to the meeting. When is it set for?"

"In 3 days admiral."

The admiral activated his computer and pulled up the modified Nav charts they had generated from their data and the EA data. He then typed in a request and the computer generated a potential course and time.

"If all goes well, I could have the Bull Run there in about 30 hours."

G'Kar looked at him, "30 hours, that's impossible it will take at least 48 in hyperspace."

The Admiral smiled, "Well than Mr. G'Kar, why don't I have the Bull Run meet you there. That way we can move the prisoners from the Mastiff to the Bull Run, and meet with your ship in time for the meeting. In the mean time, why don't I get someone to finish your tour of the ship?"

Commander Sheridan spoke now, "Thank you admiral, we'd like that."

..
Alpha sickbay TCS Mastiff: Hershell led Stephan to the sickbay, and when they arrived, his eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. Hershell saw Dr. Lloyd, and she introduced Dr. Franklin.

"Dr. Lloyd, if you don't mind me asking, I read some of the material submitted about your care of the wounded from the James Carter, and I must say that I was amazed."

"Why thank you Dr.."

"Is it true that you were able to regenerate the optic nerves of one of the crewmen?"

Dr Lloyd started to explain the procedure to Dr. Franklin, and Hershell could see that he was fascinated. "So, can the regeneration process work on other organs or limbs?"

"Yes it can, but the larger the organ, the longer the process."

After about an hour of the two of them talking, Hershell asked Stephan if he was hungry.

"Yeah I wouldn't mind a little dinner."

Hershell smiled, and then they proceeded to the officer's mess.