Chapter 3 (John Sheridan)
One after another, human battles had always led to disaster. The only victories were those of suicides or booby-trapped nukes. Nothing anyone could celebrate over.
Until today.
As he stood in the command centre of his personal warship, the Agamemnon, John looked into the view screen that displayed Action 7, a small world that orbited a dwarf star. It wasn't much to look at, but the Minbari were heading straight for the planet.
He was well aware that this particular War cruiser was deliberately hunting human colonies and it had already destroyed six settlements. This time, he was dispatched with five cruisers to rescue the colonists.
The large star system consisted of many planets and asteroids jumbled together. Space's junkyard, Sheridan thought cynically.
Sheridan had no interest in engaging the huge Minbari war ship that was spotted on the outer fringe of the solar system. Even with five vessels at his command, they lacked the firepower to combat it. He had the lives of his crew and now the settlers to think about.
He knew the large asteroid field would hinder the Minbari's advance, so he directed his cruisers on the only safe path that was outlined in the database. No jump gates existed in the system and the planet seemed an ideal place for the 5,000 colonists who took refuge there. Until now.
But as Sheridan studied the glowing planet, he contemplated how all of the colonists would fit on his cruisers.
"Five thousand people?" Sheridan turned to his executive officer Anderson, commander of the cruiser Heracles. His image appeared on the communication station's view screen, tired and worn.
Anderson replied with a sick dread in his voice. "Yes that is correct. Our cruisers can only hold about five hundred people each. I have no idea how we intend to evacuate everyone."
Sheridan looked on, his jaw set defiantly. "Well, we are not going to leave them down there to die, damn it!" He stared at the other commander, eyes blazing. "We will over-fill our ships, make the colonists stand in the corridors if we have to…"
"Sir, how can we possibly fit all those people? If we overfull our ships, we won't be able to take off."
"But nothing! We are going to rescue every last one Anderson," his voice grew solemn as he leaned on the rail. "We have lost too many people to the damn war already. The Minbari think they have won, but I will show them otherwise."
Sheridan raised his head and looked at Anderson's image. He was a brisk man, well in his fifties with a salt and pepper beard. His eyes always saw into anyone's soul and could tell instantly if they were lying. But Sheridan needed to do something and he knew Anderson would follow orders. Somehow they would find a way.
Sheridan was a war hero; he had destroyed one Minbari warship in the Earth/Minbari War and destroyed many more afterwards. His motto—I don't believe in the idea of an undefeatableenemy. Any ship can be defeated.—was one of hope and prosperity for many soldiers and new it would take more than words to accomplish this mission.
Sheridan clenched his fists as he looked through the panoramic windows at the icy blue planet that failed to rotate around its axis. One side was caked in ice; the other was a tropical paradise. Such a strange place, but I need to get down there.
The five ships descended smoothly through the clouds towards the only colony city on the planet. It rested in a plateau with a dense forest covering the surface.
He was not interested in lining up his vessels into a pattern for display; he only wanted to get as many people off the ground as possible. Cheering crowds awaited the massive vessels that blasted out clouds of smoke and wind as they drifted down to the city surface. The huge rotating sections stalled as the ships came to a hard, thunderous stop.
Observing from the control deck, Sheridan tried to regain his balance as the gravity of the planet took over. His body was heavier than he realized and the constant exercise did not make up for the extra muscle power needed to stand.
Sheridan straightened his uniform as he strode through the corridors of the ship. He turned to his first officer as they reached the gangplank leading outside. "Begin preparations to load everybody on board." He glanced out the open landing bay doors to the storm brewing overhead. "I believe that storm will provide us with adequate cover. Launch a solo fighter into orbit to keep an eye out for that Minbari cruiser."
"Yes, sir," his officer replied smartly and hurried off to fulfil his commands as Sheridan started down the gangplank.
On the ground, the local mayor was waiting, surrounded by individuals who appeared to be his most trusted advisors. Sheridan had read the dossier on the plump man waiting nervously for him. He knew the mayor was interested in money and power rather than the well being of his people. His recent neglect of the simple matters had left him with many undesirable questions being asked about the colony's authority.
It was quite apparent that he wanted to use this moment to boost his position.
Unsuccessfully trying to hide his nervousness and fear with a huge smile, the mayor stepped forward. With his potbelly showing through his shirt, he gestured forward. "Commander! I am Allan, the mayor of this fabulous colony… Are these all the ships you brought?"
Sheridan ignored the man at first, instead taking a moment to survey the landscape and the city, enjoying the clean and fresh air. Because his body was used to the processed air on his ship, the sudden inhalation of fresh air made him dizzy.
The mayor leaned closer, his chubby face almost blocking the sunlight. "Excuse me, are these all the vessels you brought?" Sheridan thought his tone impatient and rude.
Sheridan looked down at the man. "Yes they are. This is my fleet and the only ships they have given me…"
When the mayor spoke again, he was on the verge of complete panic. He wanted the leave the planet immediately and not wait around for the Minbari to show up. "But we have over five thousand people, they will not fit on those vessels."
The mayor was an overweight arrogant ass, but he was right. Despite his best intentions, there was no way Sheridan could squeeze that many people aboard the cruisers and not compromise the safety of both the ships and the people. He needed an alternate plan and he needed it yesterday.
After a pause, he had an idea. "Mayor Allan-" He walked off the ramp onto the dirt spaceport. "-you have mines and caves around this area, correct?"
The mayor looked on as he fiddled with the buttons on his bright red waistcoat. His stylish clothes were in sharp contrast to the run-down, dingy surroundings. Sheridan had read in his dossier that the mayor regularly had fashionable clothes imported to the colony, even if his people needed shuttle space for food and medical supplies.
"Yes, we have disused mineral mines and we have charted several caves in the area, Why?" He scratched his head, not understanding Sheridan's idea.
Christ, how did an idiot like this ever manage to get himself elected mayor? Sheridan thought.
"Good!" He walked along the ground towards the town hall that was constructed from local metals and glass. The settlement looked run down and the only thing that gleamed was the town hall. I bet Allan sleeps in that building.
"We can take a limited number of people off this planet, women and children first, but the rest will have to find shelter until we can arrive with a star liner."
The mayor proceeded to ask more questions, wasting more time, which Sheridan could not afford. He barked angrily, "Look, we don't have much time. Start loading the civilians and we need to inspect the mines."
After hours of chaos, Sheridan sat on a bench thinking about his wife Anna. She was resting comfortably and performing her duties at the Casabianca city. He drew strength from the knowledge that she was safe in the largest human hyperspace city ever created. Even if the Minbari managed to find the city –located far out in the deepest depths of hyperspace, where no vessel would dare explore- the defences and weapons would certainly destroy them. He only wished the cities could function outside hyperspace. Then they would have the upper hand in the war. As it was, the cities were just safe havens for the human race to run to.
Although his wife was safe, he was always out in space picking fights. He knew that she dreaded the day he would not return home. A true woman devoted to me.
As he studied her picture, Sheridan realized again the depth of his love for her. He planned to return to the city soon and see her, but first he had to deal with this mess first.
He looked up and noticed the annoying mayor trotting towards him with great haste. He braced himself for the onslaught of the mayor's questions.
"Sheridan! Glad I found you. I must request that I accompany you on your vessel and leave this planet. I have all my things ready."
Sheridan snorted in disgust. There's not even enough room for people, let alone personal belongings, he thought.
The wind picked up as the electric storm moved in. "Mayor, let me give you an answer." He stared into Allan's eyes. "NO! You can come, not your things. We're pressed for space already; there's no room for personal belongings. Make sure the underground mines are secure and then get your ass onboard."
Sheridan marched off towards the Agamemnon. He vanished into the stormy weather, which chose this moment to burst from the roiling cloud that had been creeping across the sky all day.
The door to the Agamemnon's command deck hissed closed as Sheridan walked in to take his seat. He checked the latest reports as he tried to shake off his irritation at the mayor's ridiculous request.
Sheridan noticed his communications yeoman listening unusually close to her headset. "Is there a problem yeoman?"
She cleared her throat. "Sir, we're receiving an urgent transmission from the Star Fury you left as a sentry earlier. The pilot says that the Minbari warship has entered orbit."
"What?" Sheridan sat up in alarm. "Put it through."
As the yeoman opened the COM channel, the hiss and crackle of static filled the bridge. "Aga—non, come in. Come in, do---read me? Minbari warship—tering orbit. Closing immediately. Evacuate at once, do---hear? Ev--- They're firing!"
The airwaves burst with the sounds of an explosion. Then Sheridan could hear nothing but white noise, as the Star Fury succumbed to its doom.