Chapter 40 (Delenn)
Delenn had no idea what the humans planned to do with her. She ran scenarios about executions through her mind and felt the cold dampness of the room soak into her skin, from the unsuitable conditions she'd been thrust into. The metal-walled room felt cramped and claustrophobic.
She had seen the towering cities through the windows on her way to the cell and thought the room could have done with a window. There was plenty of scenery to go around. Then she thought about her friend, Shaal. The last moment she'd seen her old friend had been back in the human office, as the one called Zack hauled her away with malicious pleasure in his mind. Delenn was partly telepathic, as were all Minbari, the thoughts she picked up from this human were pure evil.
She once caught a hint of her friend's pain from some location deep within the facility. But when she woke up from that nightmare, the connection was broken. There was only one thing she could do, sit and wait. Perhaps Shaal would be returned to her. But it had been days and worry began to overwhelm her fear.
Hunger was the next obstacle she had to overcome. For days she had not been fed or given water. She had to hold back her waste and her clothes began to stink from neglect. It would not be long before she collapsed under her failing body. From time to time she could hear humans sneer and laugh on the other side of the metallic door and she found it hard to hold onto her dignity amongst all the chaos.
She had thoughts about the war; in her studies during the early stages of the human war she had found horrors and wonders about the human race. During the years they had begun to explore space, the humans had helped other races resolve their problems and gather a better understanding of the universe. Even her master, who had been accidentally killed during the first contact, saw the humans as an ally in the fight with the shadows. But all that had been lost once Earth was completely destroyed. The Warrior Caste's relentless pursuit for war had driven the humans into hiding. She feared the humans were ghosts, lurking in the very edges of the galaxy, intent on destruction of the Minbari race. They had even managed to build cities that were larger than any space station she had encountered and she wondered what else they could do.
The lock on the metallic door clicked open and she immediately jumped to her feet. Expecting the worst, Delenn watched the human enter the room. He looked like the same person who tormented her and Shaal. Upon closer inspection Delenn could even feel Shaal's presence upon him, a presence only a mate should have. In Valen's name, what has he done to you, Shaal!
"I've brought you some new clothes and provisions. I'm moving you out of this cell into better accommodations."
Startled by the sudden change in attitude, Delenn had to know the reason. "W-Why…why are you doing this?"
The human stopped in his tracks, turned towards her, and spoke, after a moment of deliberation. "You're no good to us dead. We need to know what the Minbari intend to do. You'll give us the information if you know what's good for you."
Delenn was not happy with that answer, but it was not the question she was interested in. "What have you done with my friend, Shaal?"
The human stepped out of the room without so much as an answer. As she was analysing the clothing the human brought for her, two men rushed in and began to escort her out of the dreadful cell. She did not know where she was going, but any place was better than here.
The human escorted her through a few passageways and some lift transportations to what looked like a holding area for human prisoners. The facilities were much better than before and she could finally pull herself together and rebuild her defences. What had just happened seemed strange and Delenn could not quite understand what was going on. Why would this human improve my conditions if he was supposed to gather information?
She pleaded with him again, "Please, tell me that's she's alive?"
The human finally looked into her eyes. Delenn could see a wall of confusion and emotional turmoil inside his soul. "Your friend is still alive. She's proving to be quite useful."
Then human grinned, blasting all hope away with it.
"I'm sure that once she's finished satisfying me, you'll provide just as much entertainment as she did. But first, you must tell us everything you know about your people and their plans." The human shoved his face so close to hers that Delenn could smell Shaal's body sweat on his skin. "Then we might let you both return to your people as a warning!"
As the human slammed the door behind himself, the room fell into darkness, partly illuminated by a small window that allowed the radiant sun of the facility to beam through. Stepping onto the end of the metallic bed, Delenn peeked towards the high window and looked out at the awe-inspiring facility and the two cities that rested below. With such creativity, Delenn could only wonder what the humans would do to her.