Chapter 37

Private quarters EAS Firefly: Captain Jankowski was just lying on his bunk. He had been trying to read the book he had brought with him, but his mind kept wandering. He had tried to sleep, but his dreams were the same every night. He kept seeing the faces of people he had known, people that had not survived the war so far. He knew that he was responsible for their deaths, and he also knew that what he was doing now was his only chance to redeem himself. He now just put his book away, and moved toward the door. He floated out into the hallway and made his way toward the bridge. When he arrived at the bridge, he saw Commander Ballard sitting in her command chair.

..
Bridge of EAS Firefly: Commander Ballard was still a little in shock. She had waited until the ship was in hyperspace and heading for the Edding system before she had read her operations orders. She had had a feeling that this mission was going to be different, in that she had been picked up by two Security goons and swept away from her first R+R in two years. Then she was taken to Earthforce headquarters and taken to see the head of the Joint Chiefs. When she met with General Leftcourt, the general told her that the mission she was on was probably the most important and secret mission of the war, if not her entire career. The General had only told her that she and her crew were to head to the Edding system, and that they would have a special passenger. Then the General handed her a data crystal and told her to review the Op orders in private after the ship was in hyperspace.

"Hello Commander."

Commander Ballard turned and saw Captain Jankowski floating up behind her.

"Hello Captain. Couldn't sleep?"

He just shook his head, "I haven't been sleeping well lately. But I feel that that's going to change soon."

She looked at him, and she wasn't sure if she saw sadness or relief in his eyes. "Well sir, we should be at the Edding system in about an hour."

He started to turn back toward the hatch, when she touched his shoulder. "Sir."

He turned around, "Yes Commander."

"Are you sure about this sir?"

He smiled at her, "Commander, I'm more sure about this than I've ever been in my entire life. Just let me know when we arrive at the Edding system."

"Yes sir."

Captain Jankowski made his way back to his cabin, and began to prepare himself.

..
Bridge of TCS Bull Run: The tech at the scanner station saw a jump point forming, and alerted Commander Wesley. "Sir, we have a jump point forming. And were showing on Earthforce vessel."

"Hail them."

"Aye aye sir."

The comm. tech hailed the ship, and soon had the commanding officer on the view screen. "This is Commander Ballard of the EAS Firefly. We are bringing Captain Jankowski to meet with the Minbari representatives."

Commander Wesley looked at her, "We've been expecting you Commander. I'm Commander Wesley, XO of the TCS Bull Run. We're sending a message to Senator Sobetski, and letting her know of your arrival."

"Thank you Commander, we'll be standing by until we hear from the Senator."

The screen went blank, and Commander Wesley called the Captain in his quarters and filled him in.

..
Delegation quarters Edding IV: Senator Sobetski turned off the comm. unit, and just sat in her chair. She knew that she had to tell the Minbari that the Captain had arrived, but deep down, a small part of her didn't want to. Now she stood up and wiped the tear from her cheek, there were to many lives hanging in the balance for her to be sentimental now. She made her way to Miss Delenn's quarters, and waited while the staff told Delenn that she was here. A few moments later, Delenn entered the room. "Good evening Senator."

Senator Sobetski didn't feel that it was a good evening, but she still followed protocol. "Good evening Miss Delenn. I wish to inform you that Captain Jankowski has arrived, and is in orbit of the planet."

Delenn bowed to her, "I thank you for telling us so quickly Senator. I imagine that this is a difficult time for you."

Anya just thought to herself, "You have no idea how difficult." but she just nodded.

Delenn sat down and offered the Senator a seat, and Anya sat down. Delenn offered her some tea, but the Senator politely refused.

"Senator, we need to discuss how we will handle the transfer of Captain Jankowski. I know that we haven't talked about it, but I feel we must."

Anya looked at Delenn for a moment, and just nodded her head. Now she looked Delenn in the eyes, "Do you need him to be manacled?"

Delenn showed a moment of shock, but quickly recovered. "No Senator that will not be necessary. But we will need him to be searched by the Anla-shok before he is turned over to us."

"I understand Miss Delenn."

..
Delenn could see that this was difficult for the senator, and she thought of an idea to make it easier for her. "Why don't we have both human and Minbari security there? Hopefully that will put every one at ease."

"I agree, I think that would help put every one at ease. So when do you wish to do this?"

Delenn thought for a moment, "How about tomorrow morning at ten? That way every one will have time to prepare. I will speak to Anla-shok Na Lennon, and he can arrange the escort details with Captain Grove. We should also think about when you and your people will want to sign the formal treaty?"

"When do you think we should sign it?"

"I believe that we should do so as soon as possible. Say the following day?"

The Senator nodded and stood up to leave when Delenn touched her hand. "For what it is worth Senator, I wish this didn't have to happen. But like you, I have others that I must answer to."

The Senator looked at her and she saw the sincerity in her eyes. "Maybe the Minbari and humans aren't that different after all." "I feel the same way Miss Delenn." then the senator left Delenn's quarters and headed back to her own.

..
Delenn sent a message to Lennon and informed him of the Captain's arrival. She also told him of the idea that both Human and Minbari Security search the Captain. She saw that even though he was nodding his head, that a part of him didn't like this duty.

"I know how you feel Lennon, for I feel the same way. But we both know that this is what's needed right now. So we must carry out our duties as best we can."

"Of course Delenn. I will speak to Captain Grove right away."

"Thank you Lennon, for everything."

She then had a signal sent to the Valan-tha "Shai Alyt. Inform the other members of the council that Captain Jankowski has arrived, and will be turned over to us tomorrow morning at ten."

"At once Satai."

Then Delenn ended the signal and went into her chambers, she had many things to think about this night.

..
Lennon's quarters TCS Bull Run: After Delenn had spoken to him; Lennon decided that he needed to talk to Captain Grove in person. He contacted the bridge and found out that the Captain was in his quarters; he left his quarters and headed for the Captain's quarters. When he arrived, he found that Captain Grove was waiting for him. "Good evening Captain."

"Good evening Lennon. I take it you're here to see me about Captain Jankowski?"

"Yes. My people will need to search him before he is turned over to our delegates."

Captain Grove just nodded, "Well how do you want to do this?"

"Miss Delenn has suggested that to make things easier, we have the Captain searched and escorted by both Minbari and Human security personnel."

Captain Grove looked at him, "That sounds like a good idea, but I think that besides our security people, we should have someone from the Earth Alliance there as well."

Lennon smiled, "I agree. How about Commander Sinclair?"

"That seems like a good choice. So when is Captain Jankowski to be turned over to your people?"

"Tomorrow morning at ten."

"I'll have my people contact the Firefly and have the Captain flown down to the surface at nine. Then our people can both search him and be done in plenty of time."

"Thank you Captain. I'll see you in the morning."

..
Landing Bay Alpha TCS Bull Run: By eight, the joint security detail was on the flight deck, they and Nosann and Commander Sinclair were getting their final briefing from Lennon.

"I know that this will be difficult for all of you."

He was looking more toward Sinclair than the others. "But the Captain must be checked not only for any weapons, but also for self termination devices."

Sinclair looked at him, "Do you think he's going to try to hurt himself or the delegates?"

There was a twinge of anger and disbelief in his voice.

"No Commander, I do not. But to quote one of your own people's sayings, "It is better to be safe rather than sorry."."

The Commander looked at Lennon, "I'm sorry Lennon, this is a difficult situation."

"For us all Commander, for us all."

The group then boarded the shuttle and headed down to the surface.

..
Landing area Edding IV: The EA shuttle touched down, and was met by the joint security detail. They escorted Captain Jankowski to one of the Delegation quarters that had been set up for the exam. Captain Jankowski was surprised to see both Human and Minbari troops in his security detail, but he thought it was probably for better relations. He found that the quarters that he was taken to also had more human and minbari waiting inside. One of them, an older Minbari man came up to him.

"Captain Jankowski?"

"Yes sir."

"I am Anla-shok Na Lennon. I know why you are here, and I must beg your indulgence. We need to search you before you see the delegates."

"I understand sir. If the situations were reversed, I think my people would be doing the same thing."

"I am glad you understand."

The security people had the Captain disrobe, and their examinations were very thorough. What surprised the Captain was when one of the younger Anla-shok handed his over garment to the captain to wear. "You appear cold."

"Thank you."

Soon they were finished, and the Captain put his uniform back on.

..
Main Meeting area Edding IV: All of the EA delegates were awaiting the arrival of the Captain and the security detail. Commander Sheridan walked up to Senator Sobetski, and he could see that she looked exhausted.

"Good morning Senator."

"Good morning Commander."

They both saw the Minbari delegates arrive, along with their security escort. They then saw that Master Racine was speaking to the warriors, and then they bowed to him. Miss Delenn came over and bowed to the Senator and the Commander.

"Good morning, I hope that your night went well Senator."

"As well as could be expected Miss Delenn."

"I wanted to let you know that both of our staffs have been writing the formal agreement, and it should be ready by mid day tomorrow."

"Then we should schedule the official signing for say one tomorrow afternoon."

"That will be acceptable Senator."

..
When they had arrived, Delenn looked around the room and saw the Senator and the Commander she turned to Racine.

"I must go and speak to the Senator about the formal treaty."

Racine turned to the six guards that had accompanied them. "When the human captain is turned over to us, you will treat him with respect. He will not be harmed or disrespected in any way. You will treat him as you would a Minbari warrior. Once he is turned over to us, you will escort him back to the Valan-tha. There he will be placed in a holding room, and no one but the members of the council will be allowed to see him. Am I understood?"

They all answered quietly, "Yes satai." and bowed.

..
Now all of the delegates took their seats, and one of the Anla-shok signaled Lennon that all was ready. Senator Sobetski stood and turned to the Minbari delegation.

"Master Racine, Miss Delenn. As you stated earlier, in order to end the conflict between us, your government would need the Captain of the Prometheus to be turned over to you. I wish to inform you that Captain Jankowski is here, and is ready to be turned over to your security forces."

Racine stood and addressed the delegates. "Madame Senator. On behalf of the Minbari Federation, I wish to thank you and your government for your timely assistance in meeting this requirement. I know that this is not an easy thing that you do, but it will help to bring peace to both of our peoples."

Once he had sat back down, the main door opened, and the security detail escorted Captain Jankowski inside. He stopped in front of the delegates, and stood at attention. Senator Sobetski looked at him and nodded.

Captain Jankowski turned to the Minbari delegation, "I am Captain Michael Jankowski of the Earth Alliance. I was the Commanding officer of the Prometheus, and I was the one who ordered the ships to fire on your ships."

Racine stood and looked at the Captain, "Are you here of your own volition Captain?"

"Yes sir I am."

Racine looked at his security, and nodded. The six-minbari warriors walked up to the Captain. "These warriors will escort you to the Valen-tha Captain."

Captain Jankowski just nodded and the group turned and left the room.

..
Once they had left, Racine looked at the EA delegates. "As I said before, I know that this was not easy for you or your people to do. But it will help to end the difficulties between us."

Once he had sat down, Delenn stood, "What we all have seen today, is the act of a truly brave man. He has given himself over to his enemies in the hope of bringing peace between us. I pray that both of our peoples will not let his sacrifice be in vain."

The delegates were all quiet for a moment, and then Senator Sobetski stood and addressed them. "As Miss Delenn has said, we've just seen the act of a truly brave man. I believe that we should adjourn for now, and meet again tomorrow to sign the official treaty between our two peoples. And it is my solemn prayer that incidents like this won't have to happen again. I can only hope that we all learn from our mistakes, and don't repeat them in the future."

The EA delegates stood and slowly made their way out of the room, except for Commander Sheridan. He walked over to Master Racine, "What will happen to the Captain now?"

At first Racine wanted to say nothing, but he saw the concern in the Commanders eyes.

"The Captain will face a trail by the warrior caste council. He may yet survive, but given the way that most warriors feel about humans right now, I would not count on it."

Racine then left the room, and the commander looked at Miss Delenn, but she said nothing and left the room as well.