Chapter 42

Minbari Warrior Caste Hall: Shai Alyt Branmer now looked at the gathered elders and warriors. "My Elders, my caste brothers and sisters. We have heard from our fellow warriors about the humans, and how they have treated our wounded brothers and sisters. But now I ask that you listen to Captain Jankowski. Even though I have only known him for a very short time, I believe that in his heart he is a warrior."

Elder Dosalann quickly stood up, "Shai Alyt, we have listened to our warriors about the humans. Now you would have us listen to more dribble from this unworthy barbarian. One who has professed that he killed Duhkat."

Now Dosalann turned and looked at the gathered warriors, "I say we have heard enough. Let us end this foolishness once and for all, and kill this 'earther'." He stressed the word, and his disdain was very apparent to all.

Branmer looked at Dosalann, "Elder Dosalann, are you saying that our caste should deny it's own traditions? This man was promised a chance to tell his tale. Is the council of elders now reversing that decision?"

...
Now all of the warriors looked at Elder Vassaras. He looked at Dosalann, and Dosalann quickly sat back down rather sheepishly. Vassaras stood and looked at Branmer, "As I said before, this human has been given the honorary title of warrior. He will be allowed to speak before our judgment is made."

As he sat back down, he saw many approving smiles among the gathered warriors. Branmer bowed to his elder, "I thank you my elder, for seeing the true wisdom in this situation."

Now Branmer walked up to Captain Jankowski and stood directly in front of him. "Now is your time to speak. Speak wisely and well, and may Valen guide you."

Captain Jankowski looked at him and said softly, "For what its worth, thank you." Branmer just looked at him and smiled a small smile.

...
Captain Jankowski stood up straight, and looked at all of the gathered warriors. He now looked directly at the row of Minbari elders, and bowed to them. He then stood up tall and began, "Esteemed elders of the warrior caste, gathered warriors of the clans. My name is Captain Michael Jankowski of the Earth Alliance Earth Force. I thank you all for allowing the telling of my tale. As you all know, I was in command of the ships that fired upon your ships, and caused the death of your great leader Duhkat. I know that my apology alone is not enough for what happened that day. Because of my arrogance, my pride and my fear, nearly 100,000 souls have been lost on both sides in this war."

He waited a moment, and then continued, "After the Dilgar war, the Earth Alliance began to expand its sphere of influence. We had treaties with many of the Non-Aligned worlds, and even the Centari Republic. We knew of the Narn Regime, and had had a little contact with them. Then one day, we had contact with one of your ships in one of our outer colony systems. By asking around, we found out that your people were called the Minbari, but none of the other races would talk about you. So it was decided that we would send a group of ships to skirt the edges of Minbari space, and try to gather Intel about your people."

...
He now looked at elder Vassaras, "When my group of ships jumped into that system on the outer edge of your space, we didn't expect to run into any of your ships. But we did, and in my arrogance, I felt that we should get closer and get as much Intel as possible. My pride told me that we had the best equipment available, and that we could handle anything. I now know that I was wrong. We came in at an angle hoping not to be seen, but that wasn't to be. As soon as your ships noticed us, they began to scan us with some of the most powerful scanners I've ever seen. The scanning beams from your ships were so powerful, that they were causing disruptions in most of our systems. I ordered the group to jump, but our jump drives were off-line because of your scanning beams. Then when your ships turned toward us, they had their weapons ports open. With all of the disruptions to our systems, we couldn't tell if your people had a weapons lock or not. We tried to communicate with you, but as Alyt Dosamar told you, we didn't have your language in our translation system. As you ships drew closer to us, in my fear, I ordered the group to open fire with all forward guns."

...
Captain Jankowski took a deep breath now, "The fight only lasted a few seconds, and once the scanning beams from your ships stopped, I ordered the group to immediately jump to hyperspace. When I gave the order to fire, I thought I was saving my people from an aggressive enemy, but I now know I was wrong."

Captain Jankowski now looked at all of the warriors, "I know that I will most likely be executed for what I did, and I am ready to accept that judgment. It is my hope that by being here today, I can fulfill two missions. First, I can in some small way atone for the loss of all of the innocent souls lost so far. And secondly, I hope that by accepting your judgment, I can help to bridge the gap between our two peoples. A gap of misunderstanding that I helped to widen when I ordered my group to open fire."

Captain Jankowski now stood ramrod straight, "I am ready to accept any punishment you demand of me." then he bowed to the elders.

...
Branmer now addressed the elders, "My elders, this warrior awaits you final judgment." and he bowed. The row of the elders was now separated from the other warriors as transparent walls extended up from the floor. The elders now spoke amongst themselves, and for several minutes, everyone could see elder Dosalann waving and chopping his hands rather violently. Vassaras just sat and listened to the other elders, and finally raised his hand. He said something to the other elders, and then looked at Dosalann. Dosalann nodded, and then took his seat. The transparent walls now receded into the floor.

Elder Vassaras stood and looked directly at Captain Jankowski, "Captain Jankowski, your telling, and the words of your advocate have reached many of our warriors. If you were a Minbari warrior, we would have allowed you to live imprisoned on the moon of Minbar. But you are not a Minbari warrior you are a human warrior. Since you are a warrior, we will allow you to choose the manor of your death. Blade, hanging or poison."

...
Captain Jankowski looked at him, "I thank you elders of the warrior caste for this honor. I choose the blade." Vassaras nodded, and made a gesture with his right hand. A hooded warrior came into the chamber from a side door, and he was carrying a scarlet silk pillow. He stopped half a pace from Branmer and waited. Branmer stepped in front Captain Jankowski and spoke softly, "You spoke well today, now you must die well. Bare your chest, and remember, you must make no sound."

Captain Jankowski nodded and whispered as he unfastened his tunic and shirt "Thanks for the pointers."

Branmer smiled, "It was my honor."

When Jankowski was finished, Branmer stepped aside and turned toward the elders, "My elders, the warrior is prepared."

Vassaras nodded and looked at the hooded warrior, "Proceed."

The warrior took a clear crystal blade off of the pillow, and handed the pillow to Branmer. He stepped in front of the Captain and in one thrust shoved the blade into Captain Jankowski's heart. Even though he felt the pain and wanted to scream, Jankowski didn't make a sound. He closed his eyes and his last thought was of the faces that had been in his dreams, now they smiled at him.

...
After he had slumped to the floor, the hooded warrior knelt down and felt for a pulse. He found none, and he turned to the elders and shook his head slowly. Vassaras nodded, and looked at Branmer, "This warrior has met his end as a warrior should. What final rite does he wish?"

Branmer looked at Elder Vassaras, "He wanted his ashes to be returned to the stars my Elder."

"Then it will be done."

Now Vassaras spoke to all of the warriors, "This human has shown us that not only are the humans capable of great bravery, but they are capable of great honor. He has given his life to end our holy war. Blood for blood and life for life has been fulfilled. We need never seek to fight the humans over this ever again."

He now looked at Branmer, "Stay for a moment Shai Alyt." then he motioned with his hands and the warriors left the chamber quietly. The six warriors who were the captain's escort came back into the chamber and bowed to Elder Vassaras.

"Take this warriors body to the preparation chamber, Shai Alyt Branmer will be along shortly."

The warriors again bowed, then they reverently picked up the captains body and carried it out of the chamber.

Once they were alone, Vassaras looked at Branmer, "I am glad that I agreed to let you join our clan, today you have shown our warriors a glimpse of the old ways. Who knows, maybe it will stay with them, and grow in them."

Branmer bowed his head, "I did only as my elders commanded of me."

Vassaras put a hand on his shoulder, and smiled at him. "Branmer, you are not only wise, you are cunning. I know what you did, and I secretly approve. Did you think you were the first to get what you wanted by overloading the elders comm. systems?"

Branmer just looked at him, but Vassaras continued. "I used the same trick almost 100 cycles ago. Besides, it was worth it to see the exasperated look on Dosalann's face."

Now his face turned serious, "I trust that you will inform the Gray Council that the rite has been completed?"

"Of course my elder, and again thank you."

Vassaras looked at him, "What for?"

"For helping the other elders to see the correct path."

Vassaras smiled, "Go now and attend to your final duties."

"Yes my elder." and Branmer turned and headed for the preparation chamber.