Chapter 62 (Delenn)
The activity around the building kept her glued to the window. Despite her high up location, she could still make out all the humans below going about their daily routines without any knowledge she was looking at them.
The human city was built to a colossal scale and she wondered how the humans managed to build such a metropolis. Its intricate design and layout was breathtaking. However her imprisoned state remaindered her that she was in hostile territory. Somewhere inside this very same building, her friend was held captive and she was carrying a child.
The thought alone made her shiver with worry. How would Shaal cope with the pregnancy? How would the Minbari respond to such an alien baby in their community? Each Minbari belonged to a family caste and she wondered what dishonour Shaal would have brought. It wasn't her fault, it was all to do with that human, so she vowed to help Shaal escape and explain the situation once they returned to Minbar.
The risk was great. Humans were everywhere and even if they did make it out of the building, there was no ship, no means to get away. Even hopes for rescue quickly fled as she realized the audacity of it all.
Escape was impossible.
The moment Delenn moved away from the large window that covered most of the back wall, the main door opened and Delenn took a defensive stance. Then to her delight Shaal rushed in, as if the area outside the room was on fire.
"Shaal, you're all right?"
"Yes, Delenn, the human allowed us free passage on this floor."
Delenn was puzzled. Why would he do such a thing? Isn't he afraid we will take the opportunity and escape? However as she had already realized, escape was impossible.
"But you're all right Shaal. Has he done anything to you?"
Shaal walked over to the far side of the room and sat on the white sofa that was several meters from the back window.
"The human doctor looked at me. He says I have some kind of condition that I must take medication for."
"Have you taken it?" Delenn asked. She assumed it could be harmful.
"Yes, I passed out a few time when I refused to take it. It appears my child is putting pressure on my body. I don't think I can cope with this."
"Once we get to Minbar the doctors can take a look at you. For now I need your help to escape."
"How can I do that? The human will surely get angry if we try to escape and he explained that he's trying to hide us from his leader."
"And do you believe him?" Delenn felt Shaal's confusion and worry. They could die in an escape attempt, but if they did not escape, who knew what that animal would do to them.
"I don't trust that human, but I've seen the way he reacted when he learned the truth about his child. I believe he will not harm us until this child is born."
At a loss for words, Delenn wandered over to the small kitchen area. She had nothing to say. Her friend's reasoning made sense. The human cared for her child and it was unlikely he would do anything rash.
"The human did give me his word that he will not harm you, Delenn, but we have to stay out of sight and obey the orders he gives us."
That statement almost sounded like she was sympathizing with the human who gave her that child, but Delenn knew she was thinking about her child. It was Minbari nature to give the safety of children the highest priority, and escaping would certainly put her child at risk.
The city looked safe and secure. Delenn had noticed the human population down below seemed to be avoiding this building.
"The human has isolated this building for the time being so we should be safe to carry on."
Delenn found that statement hard to follow, but what choice did she have? What choice did they have? Perhaps with time, they could think of a way to escape or perhaps Valen himself would muster up some miracle and rescue them. After all, Delenn thought, this is one of the most pivotal moments in all Minbari history. Never before has a Minbari given birth to a hybrid child.