Chapter 44 (Shai Alit Neroon)

It was a sad day for the warrior caste and a bad day for Neroon. Standing over the casket of his commanding officer Branmer, Neroon resented the way he had died and felt anger at how the humans had killed him.

It had been on a routine mission to an abandoned mining outpost when the commander met his doom, from the actions of some mechanical device the humans had left for the Minbari. After receiving some intelligence about a human settlement and a possible route to their hyperspace cities, Branmer had assumed it would be beneficial to track the humans to their city and capture it. Neroon did not know his exact reason for capturing a city, or what he'd intended to do with it, but that secret had died along with the famous war hero.

Now, as his commander lay in state for the ceremony the next day, he wondered what secrets Branmer had.

Moving through the warm air, he felt the spirit of Branmer linger near and wondered what he'd thought about this whole war with the humans. After all, the humans had attacked and killed Ducat and declared war on them, so it was only right that they adhered to that invitation and fulfilled the human request. Also Delenn, a member of the Grey Council, had voted in favour.

There was still talk about the war being an entity of its own and the possibility of it leading the warrior caste to ruin. It was a war without end and despite the obvious destruction of the human home world, they still popped out from the depths of hyperspace and mocked the Minbari with their presence, spreading propaganda and hate.

Neroon hated the humans, just as much as Branmer, who had showed his resolve on the line and fought brilliantly. But to be killed by some simple machine left as a booby trap…Neroon clenched his fists and vowed to find the humans who had made it.

"It's a tall order for the second in command." A voice broke silence.

Neroon slowly turned and faced Hedronn, member of the Grey Council, warrior caste; it was good to have a fellow comrade in the same room.

"Indeed, Branmer fulfilled his command admirably. It will be difficult to follow in his footsteps."

"The Grey Council has every confidence in your ability to command the Ingata on her long voyage of service."

"It is an honour to have the Grey Council presence on my vessel." Neroon bowed down and accepted the grace with open arms. He knew the tall order the Grey Council had placed upon his ship and crew. The former ship had fallen in battle at Earth, when it mysteriously exploded. During the final moments of the disaster, he had supervised the transfer of crew to a rescue vessel while Branmer was in command.

Now as he watched the stars through his port window, he only wondered what lay ahead.

Hedronn walked up to the casket and paid his respects in the form of bows and silent prayers. It only took a moment, but after he had completed his ritual, he turned to Neroon with a pressing matter clearly on his mind. Recognizing his body language, Neroon sensed a long and difficult mission ahead.

"I know this is not the time or place for such discussions, but there is a matter of utmost important I must press upon you."

Neroon turned and met Hedronn's gaze head on. "Go on, you know the Grey Council has my full attention."

"One of our cruisers, transporting. Delenn and the famous Shaal Mayan has not checked in for some time. The Council is getting nervous and would like you to go and investigate the disappearance."

"Are they sure it's a disappearance? They could just be unavailable." Neroon replied, spreading his arms. "It's hardly anything to worry about, nor urgent enough to trouble this Council."

"True," Hedronn said, "but I have a vested interest to see all members of the Grey Council returned safely. It's standard procedure to check in, and she did not."

Neroon could tell by his body language that he had more than just a passing interest in the Minbari female. It was true that members of the council cared for each other, but Neroon had watched closely these past years and noticed a subtle change in Hedronn's behaviour.

"You've been getting unusually close to Delenn, Hedronn. I did not know Council members fraternised with each other."

Hedronn seemed to lose his composure for a second, but had the skill and will to re-freeze it.

"Delenn is a friend as well as one of the nine. Nothing more, nothing less." Hedronn walked over to Neroon and handed him a data crystal. "This is the last known location of her cruiser before we lost contact. And let me remind you, losing Shaal Mayan is an affront to the entire Minbari Religious Caste. If anything were to happen to her, the warrior caste will have a dark shadow cast over it."

Neroon gritted his teeth. He did not like being threatened. He found it confusing how a friendly conversation had suddenly changed; perhaps he should not have pried too much into the relationship between Hedronn and Delenn. Perhaps he should have concentrated on the matter at hand; after all, he would have to live with the Grey Council on his ship, and any friction would cause problems.

"I've monitored the cruiser's last known coordinates and it will take a few days to reach its current location. I can't guarantee our success, but you have the full co-operation of my ship and its crew."

"That is all the Grey Council asks of you, Neroon. I have important matters to attend to. Keep me updated. Here's all the information you need on the last reported sighting."

Neroon accepted the data crystal and watched as Hedronn left the chambers. Delenn was a member of the Grey Council and it would be his duty and mission to make sure she and her friend were returned safely. But one thing was now on his mind. Where was the cruiser?