Chapter 26

Bridge of TCS Bull Run: Captain Grove waited while Lennon had made his call; he asked Lennon if he wanted a private comm. station.

"No that is not needed."

Soon the call was connected, and Lennon was looking at a Minbari woman. "Greetings Delenn."

"Greetings Lennon, we were not expecting another report from you so soon."

Lennon looked at her, "I have just been informed that the Earth people have offered the new humans the Vega system to live in. Their leader thought that since it is so close to Minbari space, that it would be wise to inform us that they would be inspecting the system."

Delenn smiled a little, "He sounds like a wise and prudent leader. We must remember to thank him for this warning. The council will order all Minbari ships to stay away from the system."

Lennon saw a hint of worry on Delenn's face, "What's wrong Delenn?"

"Hopefully nothing, but the Wind swords clan is at a staging area near that system. They may not follow our orders, you know how they can be."

"Yes I do, I will warn the humans to be careful and again my thanks."

"It is we who should thank you Lennon, for being the voice of reason in our times of madness."

..
Lennon bowed to Delenn and the signal ended. Captain Grove looked at him, and he asked him how it had gone.

"My people asked me to thank you for alerting them. They will stay out of the system, and leave your people alone."

Jeff saw a look in Lennon's eye. "But you don't believe them?"

"It's not that Captain, it's just that even though our leaders have said that they will keep our people away, I'm afraid that some of our warrior clans may not listen to them."

"So our ships may be attacked?"

"I'm afraid it is a possibility. But I can make certain arrangements."

Lennon gave the comm. tech a frequency and asked that he send a signal on that frequency. A few minutes later, an older Minbari man's face appeared. "Orenn my friend, I need you to do something for me."

"You need only to command me Anla-shok Na"

"I need you to gather your group and head to the Vega system, with the utmost speed. When you arrive, contact 3 human ships on this frequency. They may need your help."

"Of course Lennon. Who do you think will be there?"

"Most likely the wind swords, but there may be others as well."

"I see, and what help do we give the humans?"

"Any that is needed."

Orenn saw Lennon hesitate, and he answered for him. "We will do what we must."

"I thank you my friend. May Valen watch over you."

"And you Lennon."

The signal ended, and Lennon turned to the Captain. "Contact your ships and give them this frequency and encryption. They will have friends in the Vega system by the time they arrive."

"Thank you Lennon."

After the captain had the message sent he looked at Lennon. "Lennon, for the last few days, I've heard a name repeated by a lot of the Minbari. Who is Valen?"

Lennon looked at him and smiled, "That is a long story Captain. Perhaps I can tell it to you over a cup of that delicious tea that you have."

..
Admiral's ready room: Admiral Douglas looked at Col. Ellison. "Do you think he got the message Stanley?"

"I don't know sir, but I do know that he was worried. I've seen that look in a lot of peoples eyes over the years."

"Do you think he might try something?"

"It's possible, but he seems like the type of person to do things slowly and from behind the scenes."

The Admiral just nodded. "But Admiral, I think we should keep fleet security at its current level for now."

"I agree. But remember to give your people enough down time."

"Don't worry admiral I will."

"Good."

After the Colonel left, the Admiral called Dr. Lloyd. "What's up Admiral?"

"You got something for a headache doc?"

"Sure do, you want me to send it up with a corpsman?"

"No need, I'll stop by sickbay."

"Ok sir."

The Admiral got up and headed for sickbay. On the way there, he saw that most of the crew seemed relaxed, more than he had seen them in a few months. Maybe ending up here was a good thing, only time would tell.

..
When he got to sickbay, the Admiral saw Dr. Lloyd and Captain Santiago talking, and made his way over to them.

"Ricardo, I know that I said I would check, but you'll just have to wait."

"Heidi, her parents are coming from earth, and will be here tomorrow."

Dr. Lloyd looked at him, and the admiral could feel a little tension between them.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

The two of them turned around quickly as he spoke. Dr. Lloyd looked a little embarrassed, and Captain Santiago came to attention.

"At ease Captain."

"I'm sorry admiral, I didn't see you there."

Admiral Douglas stifled a smile, "That's alright Captain, I've always had a tendency to walk quietly. It helps to keep your crews on their toes."

"Yes sir."

"Now Doc, what are you two going on about?"

Dr. Lloyd looked at the admiral, "It's nothing sir, Captain Santiago wants me to clear Petty Officer Charles for release."

"Is she ready to be discharged?"

"Well yes sir, but I want to run a final check on her in the morning."

The Admiral just nodded, then he looked at the Captain.

..
"How about this, we have doc discharge the petty officer, but we have her stay in guest quarters on the Mastiff until tomorrow. Then doctor Lloyd can check her one last time."

The two of them looked at the Admiral, "That's alright by me Admiral."

The Admiral looked at Heidi, "And you doc?"

Heidi looked at him, "Alright sir, but she goes directly to quarters, and then back here in the morning."

"I'll assign Ensign Femia to make sure she's here bright and early doc. Now if you don't mind doc, what do you have for a headache the size of a Snakier"

Dr. Lloyd went and got her scanner and passed it over the Admiral. Then she went and got him a tablet, "Here you go sir, one Aspirin."

The admiral just looked at her and took the pill from her. "Just one?"

Heidi looked at him, and gave him a second pill. "Thanks doc."

..
The admiral swallowed the pills and was about to leave sickbay, when he saw Petty Officer Charles sitting on her bed. She looked up at him and smiled, and he saw that she had beautiful blue eyes.

"Hello Petty Officer, and how are you doing today?"

The petty officer stood up and came to attention. "At ease Petty Officer Charles."

She visibly relaxed, and then she smiled at him. "I heard what you said to the doctor, and I want to thank you sir. It's not that I don't appreciate everything that everyone's done for me, but uh"

He saw the look on her face, and he smiled, "It's just that you don't like sickbay."

She relaxed a little, "Yes sir."

He leaned a little toward her and whispered, "Don't tell anybody, but neither do I."

Teresa laughed a little, and then she looked at him, "Wait a minute, your voice, I remember now, you read me my letter."

The Admiral smiled, "Guilty as charged."

"And the Captain called you Admiral? Oh wow, an admiral, " now Teresa was starting to look embarrassed, and she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Is that a problem Petty officer?"

"Uh no sir, it's just that, well I uh…"

"You what?"

"I can't tell you sir."

He saw that she was getting even more embarrassed, so he decided to not pursue it. He looked at her, "Since you're getting out of here, lets see about getting you to some quarters."

Teresa grabbed her small duffel and the admiral offered her his arm. As they were leaving, the doc shouted at them, "Bright and early sir."

The admiral just waved as he escorted Petty officer Charles to quarters.

..
Conference room 2 TCS Bull Run: Captain Grove had assembled the various parties, and started things off. "I think that the idea of holding the negotiations on Edding IV is a good idea. It's neutral territory, so neither side will be at a disadvantage. My people can provide temporary shelters for everyone to use, and we can assist with security."

He looked at Lennon, "I take it your people will want some of their security people there as well."

Lennon just nodded. "Alright then, just make a list of what things both sides will need, and I'll get my quartermaster going on it right away."

Lennon and Sheridan spent the next few hours getting a list together, and then Captain Grove got his people going on filling it. Within 6 hours, the material was being transported to the surface, and being set up.

Alpha flight bay TCS Bull Run: Nosann came onto the flight deck, and was directed to where Megan was working. She had some form of grease on her hands, and some on her face. When Nosann saw her, he couldn't help but smile. Megan looked at him, and could see he was trying not to laugh.

"Go ahead Nosann, get it out of your system."

"Get what out Megan?"

She just looked at him, "I know what I look like."

Nosann was still trying to be serious, but it wasn't easy. "I'm sorry Megan, but you do look. Well."

"The word is grungy."

Nosann thought about the word for a moment, and then nodded. "Yes that is the word."

Megan looked at him now, "So what brings you down to the flight deck? Came to snicker at me?"

"No Megan, I've come to get you for your next lesson."

He put up a hand, "I've already cleared it with your crew chief."

Megan looked at him, "Can I at least wash up first?"

"Yes of course."

They left the flight deck and headed for the crew quarters.

..
When they arrived, Megan went in and grabbed a fresh uniform and a towel. Then she headed for the crew showers. Nosann looked at her, "Do all of the crews bathe together?"

Megan smiled, "Of course not. When the women go in, they hit a switch on the wall, and a pink light comes on. When the men are in there, they hit another switch and a blue light goes on. If there is no light, then the shower is unoccupied."

Nosann nodded, "A wise system. I take it that it helps to reduce embarrassing moments"

"Most of the time, but sometimes people forget to hit the switch."

Megan went in and hit the switch, "I'll be right out."

She showered and dressed quickly, and found Nosann waiting for her. "So what's my lesson for today?"

"Today you will learn to meditate."

Megan just looked at him, "What?"

"It is one of the most important tools of the Anla-shok. It allows you to clear your mind and order your thoughts."

"Well I'm game to give it a whirl."

They soon found themselves at the quarters set aside for Lennon. Nosann pressed the buzzer on the door.

"Enter."

When they went in they found Lennon sitting on the floor, and in front of him was three candles.

"Good you have arrived, please sit."

He directed Megan to sit next to him and Nosann lit the candles and turned off the lights before sitting down. Lennon looked at Megan, "Shall we begin?"

Megan was an apt pupil, and both Lennon and Nosann were pleased at her ability to learn the proper ways of the Anla-shok.