Disclaimer: I do not own Babylon 5 or its characters, those belong to Warner Brothers. I do not own Robotech or its characters, those belong to Harmony Gold. I do not own Macross or its characters, those belong to Big West and Studio Nue.
Chapter 15
Earth
President Levy's office
Geneva, Switzerland
The meeting between President Levy, Attorney General Jennifer Walters, and Director Spiros Alexas went late into the night discussing the ongoing law enforcement operations both military and civilian against Humans First and their subsidiary militant groups.
There was a long discussion with regards to the latest terror attacks by Humans First's militant groups across the Earth Alliance and of course there was a follow up discussion with regards to the attack in London by the Alien Liberation Foundation. Details were coming in but it looked like Humans First had suffered a heavy blow.
The investigation against the Senators and their family members that were discovered to be members of Humans First was still ongoing and arrests were due to happen soon. Impeachment charges were going to be filed soon.
The meeting came to a close and the green skinned Zentraedi Attorney General walked out of the meeting back to her office to do some more work. The Director of Intelligence stayed behind.
Elizabeth looked at Spiros and began, "Alright, what can you tell me about the Alien Liberation Foundation strike in London that you couldn't say with Jennifer here?"
Spiros gave a thin smile, "Elizabeth...I can't tell you that because if you do then you no longer have plausible deniability."
The President frowned, "Dammit Spiros! I want to know! It's just you and I in this room, the recorders are off! This was your group, don't deny it."
Spiros smirked, "Madam President, I can neither confirm nor deny that I or any of my people had anything to do with the London strike against Humans First."
Elizabeth pounded her fist on the desk. "Goddammit!"
Spiros's expression was serious now. "Madam President, I have been the Intelligence Director for twenty years, my predecessor served for twenty five years before me. The men and women serving in my position have fought the war between Free Humanity and Humans First and all their militant terror militias and offshoots in the shadows ever since. I report to you, I follow your orders but to protect you, to protect the Office of the President, my predecessors and I HAVE to keep you in the dark on some of our actions. Rest assured, a blow was struck by the Alien Liberation Foundation that will hurt Humans First greatly."
Sprios's eyes flashed red very quickly then returned to their normal color.
"What can you tell me that will be on ISN or some other news agency?", Elizabeth asked.
After a moments pause Spiros said, "Executive members of the European branch both Western and Eastern Europe were there and they're dead. When I have the list of names, you'll get it before it is broadcast."
Elizabeth smiled, She looked over at the wall screen that was starting to show readiness reports of EarthForce and other data, the information updating constantly and the information changing to other reports. She was still smiling as she replied, "Good. Damn good. So, what other news do you have for me Spiros?"
Spiros smiled with a feral grin as he replied, "I found It Elizabeth."
Elizabeth froze. Her face turned from the wall screen that was now showing the data of the latest arrests and strikes against Humans First to look at her Director of Intelligence. There was only one topic between them where they never specifically said the name. The subject was always called 'It' and the emphasis on that word you knew that the 'I' was capitalized. "You found It? Are you sure?"
Reaching into a pocket he pulled out a device and projected a holographic image of a planet, an Earth like planet by the appearance of it. The hologram paused and it zoomed in to show what looked like series of buildings and some infrastructure. A small town or a village by all appearances.
Spiros said, "I found It and I am sure. After more than a decade of searching, I finally found It Elizabeth."
Elizabeth stood up, placed her hands on the desk and leaned forward to get a really good look at the three dimensional holographic image of the planet. She studied it for a minute then looked at Spiros.
"You fucking did it.", she said.
"I did.", he answered.
"You find the paper trail?", she asked.
"I've got much of it. Problem is that it all traces to shell corporations, corporations that historically have ties to Humans First and they've covered their tracks well, many of them have gone bankrupt. But, Elizabeth the fact is I finally found It. We take It out of play, they're fucked for a long, long time."
Elizabeth asked, "What are you thinking? Orbital strike?"
"A possibility to be sure, but I was thinking we bring them all in. Bring them out of the shadows and into the light. My source inside should get me the names of the bastards that I still need very soon."
Elizabeth smiled. "Good."
Spiros said, "I'm going to be needing a warship, I believe the Robotech Factory has what I need, I'll contact Admiral Hunter and see about having one available and ready. I'll start making the preparations. Some of the telepaths I'm going to need are out on the frontier and it will take time for them to get here."
Elizabeth inquired, "Is that necessary?"
Spiros answered, "Yes. I'm going to need a lot of P12's Elizabeth and I know who to contact to make the arrangements."
"Our mutual friend?", Elizabeth asked with a smile.
"Indeed.", Spiros replied.
With her trademark glare she snarled, "Make it happen."
"Done.", Spiros said.
A Private Restaurant
Geneva, Switzerland
The inside of the restaurant was the epitome of a five star Michelin star rated restaurant. It was palatial in the decor and all settings. While there was a main dining room, the attraction of the place wasn't just the amazing food that was renowned throughout the culinary world, it was the private booths and rooms that the Elite, high ranking government officials, and power brokers used to take advantage of to conduct these meetings in secure privacy against electronic and telepathic eavesdropping.
Sitting in a private booth was a blonde woman with green eyes wearing a very expensive dress suit. In front of her was a glass of wine and small tiny box like device next to her. As she was taking a sip of the wine, the person she was waiting for walked up and sat down.
Alfred Bester, dressed in a fine dark colored suit looked at the blonde woman and said, "You're new.", then he sat down across from the woman.
With a smile she said, "I work for our mutual employer, he asked me to deliver the message."
Alfred smiled thinly. A waiter approached and took his drink order then quickly vanished. Alfred glanced at the small box in front of the woman then said, "Well, this is the first time we've met so what's your name? Also, I see you came prepared.", his eyes glancing to the small box like device that was preventing him from using his telepathy on her.
The waiter returned and brought the requested drink to Alfred, it was non-alcoholic. The man took a drink and nodded in satisfaction.
The blonde woman took another sip of wine then smiled coyly and answered, "A girl's gotta be prepared Mister Bester and as for my name, you can call me Alice."
Alfred smirked and asked, "Have you been to Wonderland Alice?" Alfred chuckled then continued, "So, what message do you have from our employer?"
Alice said, "Our friend and employer wanted me to tell you that the Holy Grail has been found. He wants you to put a team together." She reached to her clutch purse next to her on the booth and pulled out a small data crystal.
Alfred's eyes widened and he leaned back with a stunned expression on his face. After a moment he leaned forward and asked, "It's been found? Is our friend and employer sure?"
Alice nodded her head once and said, "Extremely." She slid the small data crystal across. "Don't watch it here, too many eyes even with all the privacy. It also has a list of telepaths that will be needed for the operation. Instructions will follow once you've gathered them all. Naturally your name is on the list Mister Bester. While our friend and employer is confident in your ability to gather the needed individuals, if you have any problems, contact our friend at the Telepathic Monitoring Commission to make sure that the telepaths we need are brought in. Make contact per the usual arrangements when everyone is on their way and when we can expect their arrival."
Alfred grabbed the data crystal as Alice was speaking and slipped it into a pocket of his own and he listened carefully to Alice's instructions. With absolute seriousness Alfred said, "I will see to it at once."
Alice took another drink of her wine, finishing it off and giving the glass to a passing waiter to take away. She pulled out a credit chip and placed it on the table. "I'll take care of the bill Mister Bester. Our friend and employer will talk to you soon, either through me or another one of his employees, possibly someone else you've met." Alice smiled as she stood up, grabbed the tiny box that was protecting her from being scanned and said with a tiny wave, "Be seeing you."
Alice left, leaving very quickly and vanishing into the crowd of civilians that were moving through the crowded sidewalk. Alfred Bester stood up and left as well. He had what he had been seeking and searching for many years, now it was time for him to get to a secure location, review the data on the data crystal and start gathering his resources for what he knew would be the most critical mission of his life. The rescue of his people, his brother and sister telepaths.
Alice watched as Alfred Bester walked right by her without even batting an eye. After she left she activated another holo emitter costume change and now she appeared to be a red haired older woman. She took note of Alfred Bester's movements and once she was satisfied that he was most likely heading home, she turned and made her way to a hidden entrance at EarthDome and entered the massive facility. Alice activated her holo emitter again, changing into yet another identity, her undercover identity. Making his way through the building, he arrived at the underground parking garage and got in the waiting car.
"Home, James.", was the order given.
"Yes, Sir.", came the reply.
The vehicle left the underground parking garage and moved quietly though the Geneva streets, taking a random planned route home.
The Robotech Factory
Admiral Miriya Sterling's office
Miriya Sterling was an extremely busy woman. She was supervising the retraining of pilots to fly Veritechs and she'd been put in charge of a new EarthForce Task Force with the SDF-3 as her flagship.
Miriya had integrated the Invid that had come with Princess Sera into her fleet, some of them taking Veritech or Destroid positions. While the majority of the Invid including Princess Sera who was now in command of an Eisenhower battleship. Sera and her people had brought out of storage their old Invid Command Mecha that they had been allowed to keep as long as it had been locked away.
Once brought out of storage, the Invid mecha were taken to the Robotech Factory and given a full refurbishment and modernization which added a barrier system and upgraded electronics suite.
While it did not fill her fleet wide pilot complement to capacity, it allowed her to spread more pilots that were fresh out of pilot training to more ships as Veritech pilots for other warships on her fleet.
Now, Miriya had to make a decision about who would be the Captain of the SDF-3. It had been difficult, there were some very good candidates and after a series of interviews she had decided on who would be the Captain of her flagship. She was now waiting for that man to arrive so she could give him the good news personally.
Her aide rang her and said, "Captain Sheridan is here as you requested ma'am."
Miriya was looking at pilot evaluation progress on a tablet computer and set it down then ordered, "Send him in please. Make sure I am not disturbed unless it's absolutely urgent."
The door opened and the aide led Captain Sheridan into her office. John stood at attention and saluted, "Captain John Sheridan reporting as ordered ma'am."
Miriya stood and returned the salute. "Please sit Captain." She gestured to one of the chairs. "Did you want anything, coffee or water or anything?"
"I'm fine Admiral.", John said.
Dismissing her aide, he closed the door and Miriya and John sat down. Miriya smiled at John and said, "So, I imagine you've been busy."
John nodded his head. "Actually, yes. I'm technically the Commanding Officer of the Robotech Factory. So, I've largely been doing administrative things but I've been getting training from Admiral Hunter and Admiral Parino on warship operations and combat exercises on Veritech flight and combat operations whenever possible."
Miriya responded, "I've read their evaluations on your performance, I'm impressed. The reason for calling you to my office was that I made my decision as to who I want as Captain of the SDF-3 and I wanted you to hear it from me personally."
John nodded. Miriya could see that he was preparing himself mentally and she didn't want to put him through anymore stress so she smiled and said, "I've chosen you to be the Captain of the SDF-3. She's yours if you want it."
John blinked for a few seconds. He was obviously expecting her to tell him she'd chosen someone else. Then the realization hit and he smiled and emphatically said, "Yes! Yes I want it! Thank you Admiral, I promise I won't let you down. Thank you!"
Smiling Miriya said, "You're welcome. I imagine you'd like to bring your command crew with you or do you have anyone you want replaced?"
John answered, "Yes ma'am if that's possible. I wouldn't be here without them. As for replacing anyone, no I don't need to replace anyone."
"Good, then I'll let you give them the good news while I make the arrangements to cut their orders. Get them aboard the SDF-3 bright and early tomorrow, we're going to be putting her through shakedown cruises to make sure she's ready and I want the crew ready as well."
John's smile was wide as he said, "I'll get right on it ma'am."
Miriya stood up and offered her hand for a handshake. "Congratulations, Captain."
John stood up and shook Miriya's hand. "Thank you Admiral."
Miriya said, "We've got a lot to do John and not enough time so let's get to work."
John said, "Will do."
John left her office practically walking on air. He was going to contact his people and let them know that they were going to be moving to the SDF-3. He was extremely excited and he looked forward to telling his wife Elizabeth the good news.
The Next Day
The SDF-3 Pioneer
Captain John Sheridan walked on to the Bridge of the legendary warship along with everyone of his officers that served with him on the Achilles and everyone looked at the stations of the warship's bridge with expressions of awe and reverence. They were on a ship of history.
John said, "Alright people to your stations, the Admiral will be arriving soon."
Miriya's voice surprised everyone. "The Admiral is here now."
John looked to see Miriya walking onto the bridge and Lieutenant Rose Hebert the navigator cried out, "Admiral on the bridge!", standing at attention as she made the announcement.
Everyone snapped to attention.
Miriya said, "As you were, go ahead and take your stations."
Everyone moved to take their posts and began making preparations for departure. While the ship was directly connected to the Factory's power everything was off. Soon systems were coming online and the men and women were bringing the ship to life.
All across the interior of the warship the lights and systems were coming online. The men and women that had worked on the Achilles, Aegis, and Daedalus and other former EarthForce ships were now aboard serving as the crew because the SDF-3 had very large crew requirements.
Diagnostics and checklists were performed and reports started coming in to the Bridge when those were completed. The ship's running lights came online first followed up with the exterior lighting powering up highlighting the ship's name "Pioneer". People in the hangar bay stopped what they were doing to see the warship power up and get ready for departure.
On the bridge, Lisa received a report from Engineering and she announced, "Sir, Chief Engineer Sevina reports that we are now running on internal power, we're disconnected from the Factory's power umbilicals."
John nodded and said, "Very well."
His Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Delinda Lamiz was taking in the reports that all departments were ready. "Captain, all departments report preparations are complete, all diagnostics are complete, we are ready for departure."
John smiled and looked at Admiral Miriya Sterling. "Admiral, we are ready for departure."
Nodding with satisfaction Miriya ordered, "Very well Captain, let us get underway. Take the Pioneer out Captain Sheridan."
It was almost impossible for John not to grin but he managed to do it. "Aye ma'am." Turning to Lisa he said, "Contact the Factory's traffic control and get us clearance for departure."
"Right away sir.", Lisa confirmed. "Factory control this is the SDF-3 Pioneer, requesting clearance for departure."
The speakers were on and seconds later a voice replied, "This is Factory Control to SDF-3 Pioneer, clearance for departure is granted."
John said, "Thank you Factory control.", then he gestured to cut the communication. He was sitting in the Captain's chair looking calm as he ordered, "Clear all moorings."
Aurora Cabel, the ship's helmsman answered, "All moorings cleared Captain."
John ordered, "Maneuvering thrusters Miss Cabel."
"Maneuvering thrusters, aye sir.", responded Aurora.
On the screen it was clear that the mighty warship was now on the move. Within the Factory hangar bay all throughout the bay and anywhere where there were windows that people could see out into the hangar bay, activity had stopped to watch the legendary warship make its departure out of the Robotech Factory. Even though this was a test cruise ISN was aboard with a news team broadcasting the departure of the SDF-3 out of the Robotech Factory live on one of its many networks across Earth Alliance space.
The warship was now out of the shadow of the massive Macross Cannon warship Thor's Hammer and it was well on its way towards the exit. On the Bridge the crew and officers watched the main view screen as the legendary warship traveled through the large structure with the hangar bay doors opening as the warship approached the exit.
Miriya cleared her throat and Captain Sheridan turned his chair slightly to see the Admiral giving a small gesture with her right hand along with a tilt of her head towards the large exit of the hangar bay. John saw the tears she was holding back. This was an emotional moment for her.
John recognized the mostly silent communication for what it was and he turned his chair back to center then he ordered, "Helm, ahead one quarter."
Aurora quickly replied, "Ahead one quarter, aye sir."
The warship moved a little quicker now, heading directly for the exit of the hangar bay and in seconds the SDF-3 had exited the Factory hangar bay and was now moving into open space. It was still very close to the Factory itself.
John ordered, "Helm take new course bearing zero two zero ahead one third."
"New course, zero two zero ahead one third aye sir.", Aurora replied.
Sixty seconds later Aurora announced, "Sir, we are free and clear of the Robotech Factory. We are free and clear to navigate."
John nodded and said, "Very good. Navigation, plot a Fold jump to Sirius. Helm, take new course zee plus twenty thousand meters bearing zero forty five degrees ahead one half."
Both young women acknowledged their orders.
The warship climbed higher above the elliptic and moved away from local Earth space heading out of the gravity well.
Miriya smiled and said, "Excellent work, all of you."
Soon, Rose Hebert the navigator announced, "We are out of the gravity well, Fold jump to Sirius has been calculated."
John said, "Good, start the clock for Fold jump T minus sixty seconds."
The warning klaxon sounded throughout the ship to warn the crew of the upcoming Fold jump. At the same time Lisa announced to the entire ship that they were on the clock for a Fold jump. Reports quickly came in that everyone was at their Fold stations and were ready for the Fold jump.
Miriya had regained control of her emotions as she watched and listened to everything as the crew performed their duties. She was satisfied with what she was seeing so far. As the warship had moved through the hanger bay and out into space she wished so much that Max was right there with her and even though she knew he was there in spirit it just wasn't enough. Looking around, it was hard as she could see the ghost of Rick and Lisa at their stations as well as the others in her mind's eye. Miriya blinked back the tears that were starting to form again.
Rose announced, "Fold jump in ten seconds!"
Ten seconds later the warship's Fold engines were engaged and for the first time in more than one hundred years the SDF-3 Pioneer performed a Fold jump and vanished. This was just the beginning of what would be several shakedown cruises.
Miriya took note of everything and was pleased with what she saw so far. They had a lot of work to do in a very short time. Soon this ship would need to work with others in fleet operations, not to mention all the Veritechs that would be needing to work together.
Earth
The Robotech Factory
General Lefcourt's Office
Admiral Miriya Sterling was sitting in General Lefcourt's office having recently returned from the first training cruise of the SDF-3. She was smiling as the General read the report that Captain Sheridan and herself had submitted.
"Very good", General Lefcourt said. "Impressive report for the first cruise Miriya."
"Thank you sir."
Putting the tablet down he looked at the legendary woman. "So, you said you had a request that you needed to speak to me personally about." Looking slightly tired he asked, "What request do you have Admiral?"
Miriya took a moment then she began, "Sir, if we're going on the offensive we are going to be taking Minbari prisoners and while the ship's doctor is good, I want the best. Someone who has a knowledge of Minbari physiology. I want Doctor Stephen Franklin."
The General's face soured. "Miriya, he's in the stockade."
Miriya nodded and said, "Exactly, I know why he's in there and he should be commended, not in a prison cell. We are not Deathwalker. Biological weapons are a coward's weapon Robert and you know it. If we used them on the Minbari, the whole galaxy would turn on us. General, I'm asking you to void those charges against him, release him and get him transferred to the SDF-3 as a doctor reporting to my current Chief Medical Officer. We're going to need him sir. I'm going to need him to keep any injured Minbari we capture alive."
Robert Lefcourt scowled. She was right, he knew it but he didn't like it. "You like asking for difficult things don't you?", he asked rhetorically. "You make a good case for needing someone that knows Minbari physiology…", he paused. "I'll think about it and let you know."
Miriya stood up and said, "Sir, you know I'm right, he needs to be out there doing what he's trained to do, heal. Let me and the others that are trained in killing others do the actual killing."
General Lefcourt hummed in thought then looked at Miriya and asked, "Was there anything else?"
Miriya nodded and said, "One last thing that I just remembered. I would like Skull squadron transferred to the SDF-3 and Commander Sinclair assigned as the CAG for the ship."
General Lefcourt said, "Well that's a lot easier to handle. I'll have the orders cut for Skull squadron and Commander Sinclair will be the SDF-3's CAG."
Miriya smiled, "Thank you sir."
"If that's all, dismissed Admiral.", Robert said.
Miriya saluted the Military Commander of EarthForce and said, "Sir."
Robert Lefcourt stood up and returned the salute. "I'll let you know Miriya."
Miriya turned and left the office while Robert sat back down and ran a hand through his hair. He pushed his intercom and barked, "Coffee please." He wished for a stronger drink but there was more work to be done. A lot more work.
The Valen'Tha
Minbari Federation Space
Minbar
The Grey Council had gathered to discuss the progress in mobilizing all their forces to destroy the hated Humans. There were smiles as recently under War Leader Brammer they'd dealt the raiders a series of defeats which led to the end of the commerce raids by the Humans and those that had been hired by them.
Satai Morann said, "With War Leader Brammer's planning we have finally brought an end to the raids by the raiders that the Humans have hired and by the Humans themselves. While this is good news, the bad is that the Humans have escaped from our justice. Still, well done War Leader."
Brammer gave a small bow of the head saying, "Thank you Satai."
"Satai Varenn, we are pleased that the supplies needed for reactivation of our ships are reaching their destinations. Work progress has improved and more of our ships are coming online. The workers are to be commended."
Satai Varenn bowed slightly and said, "We simply are doing our duty. For Dukhat."
"Yes. For Dukhat.", Satai Morann said.
Satai Coplann said, "A decision must be made as to where to attack first. Shai Alyt Sineval and the Elders of the Wind Swords Clan have strongly pushed to destroy the colony of Sestun as a message not just to the Humans but to the galaxy to show that this victory that the Humans won was but a fluke. Another has pushed for Deneb's destruction because of the treachery that the Humans dared to turn off the beacon network causing so many of our ships and brothers and sisters to be lost."
Coplann looked at the other Grey Council members and said, "We must choose the first target for destruction."
The group started discussing the merits of both targets and while many wanted to destroy Deneb first, it was clear that a strong message had to be sent. Even if the Humans had the ability to defeat their stealth, the colony of Sestun had to be destroyed first.
Satai Morann said, "So it is decided then, the colony of Sestun shall be eradicated. Shai Alyt Sineval shall have the honor of leading the attack to redeem himself and those that survived with him."
Satai Delenn asked, "When will this fleet be ready?"
Satai Varenn answered, "The ships of this fleet will be ready on schedule now that the raiders have been dealt with."
"Excellent news Satai.", commented Coplann.
The meeting continued with discussions over ship readiness across the different Clans. The Blood Knives, Moon Shields, Fire Wings, were either on schedule or ahead of schedule now that the supplies were coming through. Also, these Clans had gotten their turn and taste of Human blood at the start of the war so it was not taking very long to reactivate their ships. The Night Walkers, Solar Flares, and Star Riders Clans were reporting that their progress was only slightly behind schedule but they would be ready after the Sestun colony's destruction. The tentative plan was for a united fleet of all the Clans to destroy the colony of Deneb once the Wind Swords were victorious at Sestun.
Earth
The Robotech Factory
General Lefcourt's Office
It had been three and a half weeks and they were less than a week away from the President's deadline to launch their offensive. It was early in the morning and the office of General Robert Lefcourt was occupied by General Lefcourt, Admiral Rick Hunter in his android body, Admiral Komira Parino, General Sam Carter, Admiral Miriya Sterling. Coffee and breakfast pastries and savory breakfast finger foods had been served and eaten by the small group as small talk was had.
Now it was time to get down to business. General Lefcourt pushed a button to secure his office against eavesdropping and began.
"Everyone, as you know since the victory at Sestun we were given time. We've used that time to retrain our people to use Robotech ships, mecha, and weapons. I don't have to tell you that the time we've been granted has been a Godsend. Komira, Miriya you and your teams that you have brought together have been amazing in getting those people ready over the last month. You too, Admiral Hunter, your assistance and knowledge has been invaluable. Now, we've received some intelligence that our time is running out. The word is that the Minbari are getting ready to go back on the offensive very soon."
With a direct look at the people in the room he said, "With the President's directive to attack in four weeks we are rapidly approaching her deadline. I need an honest assessment of where we are. Will we have enough people trained to operate the ships and mecha so we can go on the offensive and launch this attack?"
Both Komira and Miriya answered simultaneously. "Yes."
Miriya added, "Our warships will not have their full mecha complements due to pilot shortages but my fleet as well as General Carter's fleet will have enough pilots to go around. Thankfully we won't be launching any ground assaults so we won't need Destroid pilots although we have a few on each warship if absolutely necessary."
A relieved expression crossed the General's face. "That's good. That's very good. In that case we'll start finalizing our plans for the planets that we're going to be targeting in the initial assault."
Komira asked, "What is the general plan?"
General Lefcourt answered, "Well, we're thinking of launching a simultaneous strike against two or three of their worlds depending on how many ships we have available." He paused then continued, "We want to let the Minbari know that the war has changed, with our Fold jump capability, we can hit any world of theirs without having to use the jump gates and travel through hyperspace."
General Lefcourt looked at Miriya and asked, "Admiral Sterling, what is the status of the SDF-3? Is she ready?"
Miriya nodded her head saying, "It is. We've taken her on three cruises, tested all the systems and I am pleased to say that we're ready. My fleet is also ready General. Just tell us where we're going and we'll hammer them for you."
General Lefcourt chuckled. "We're finalizing our targets but it does depend on how many ships will be fully crewed, including Veritech squadrons." Turning to look at General Carter he asked, "How about you Sam, is your fleet ready?"
Sam replied with that Texas drawl, "Yes sir, we're ready to kick ass and chew bubble gum and we're out of gum sir."
Everyone chuckled then Komira chimed in, "A simultaneous multi planet strike. So, I know Miriya, Sam, and Kazianna will be going out there to kick ass and take names, why am I here?"
Smiling, Robert glanced at Miriya who was eagerly now waiting for what was about to happen. Robert Lefcourt said, "You're here because you have combat experience commanding Robotech ships and you've done a great job getting our people acclimated to Robotech warship operations. But I am going to need you out there on the front lines very soon."
Komira protested slightly, "Sir, I appreciate that but I still have a lot to do. I'd hate to leave the job half finished."
Shaking his head Robert said, "You've put together a top notch team Admiral, and now your team can take over and they'll have Admiral Hunter as well to help with that."
Rick gave a jaunty wave. "There is something about training people that I get a sense of enjoyment out of. The training regimen you've put together is solid Komira, your team and I can take the reigns."
Komira sighed a little then she asked, "So, I'll be under Miriya's command then?"
Robert shook his head while smiling, "Oh no Admiral, it's been decided that we are going to rebuild and reform the Seventh Fleet and you are its new Commanding Officer. Congratulations Admiral Parino, you will be taking command of the Macross Cannon class warship Thor's Hammer and the fleet that will be assigned to it."
Komira blinked. She looked at Miriya who was smiling as if she was the cat who caught the canary. She looked at General Lefcourt who was smiling as well and offering his hand out for handshake. She was stunned.
Komira reached out her hand very slowly to General Lefcourt and he took her hand and shook it. "Congratulations Admiral.", he said.
Miriya clapped Komira on the back. Rick, Sam, and Miriya all exclaimed, "Congratulations!"
Komira was blinking owlishly. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Command of the Seventh Fleet?! The Minbari had savagely destroyed the Seventh at the second battle of Jericho when Earth tried to launch a counterattack that the Minbari easily repelled. It was the first real sign that the war with the Minbari was not going to go well after so many officers thought that the first battle of Jericho had been fluke.
Now the Seventh Fleet was going to be rebuilt and reformed out of the Robotech ships within the Factory as well as new ships built out of the Factory.
The General went to his cabinet and pulled out a bottle of scotch and poured three glasses. He offered one to each woman and he offered a toast. "To Admiral Komira Parino, the Commander of the newly reformed Seventh Fleet. I wish you the best success."
Miriya chirped, "Here, here!"
Everyone took their drink.
Komira was still stunned over this news. She was so amazed that she couldn't believe it. As she was coming to grips with this news she was confused and she had to ask a point something out. "Sir, there's no way that I would be able to have my fleet ready for the offensive by the President's deadline. There's not enough time left for me to get everyone and everything ready."
General Lefcourt nodded. "We know. The Seventh Fleet will be our largest fleet we assemble up to this point. Initial talks are we're going with five thousand ships, maybe more." Komira squawked in shock but quickly controlled herself as General Lefcourt kept going. "While it's main job will be to kill enemy fleets, the Seventh Fleet's first offensive assignment will be to conduct the invasion of one of those Minbari worlds. We want you to lead the Seventh Fleet to regain its battle honors Komira and we know you will do a great job. For the invasion, you will be working with Generals Franlkin and Fontaine. Franklin will have overall command of the EarthForce Marines that are going to be taking part in this invasion. Fontaine and others will be commanding their own divisions."
"So, while Admiral Sterling, General Carter, and Grand Admiral Hesh conduct their own offensive operations, you will be getting your fleet together and getting ready for the invasion and once everything is set, you will lead the Seventh Fleet against that Minbari world and you will lead it to victory."
"Just to let you know the target list for the invasion is looking good. One of the possible targets is Tarellenn, it's a major world of theirs and it fits the President's target criteria that Intelligence thinks the Minbari would fight tooth and nail to try and kick us off. Which is why we are going to make sure that the Seventh Fleet will have everything it needs to get the job done."
Komira nodded in understanding. "I see. So I assume I'm to start right away?"
General Lefcourt replied, "Yes. We've got no time to waste. While much of your fleet will be from existing ships that are aboard the Factory, we will be building some more new ships for your fleet. I am interested in your input as to what you think your fleet will need. We will talk about that tomorrow after you're settled in aboard your new flagship."
Komira nodded her head and the meeting continued to discuss personnel, warship and Veritech squadron readiness. General Lefcourt was pleased with the news and it was becoming more clear that they would indeed be ready to launch the offensive close to the President's schedule.
A couple of days later
The Office of the Director of Intelligence
Director Spiros Alexas was going over the latest intelligence reports from Minbari space. The advanced technology probes that were floating undetected but providing valuable information to him and to the Earth Alliance military was remarkable.
The man gathered the assimilated data and refined it then submitted it to the Military Intelligence people. It seemed that the Minbari would be going on the offensive soon, maybe on or around the same time as EarthForce launched their offensive. His job done, he left his office for a meeting with the Senate to discuss several topics.
Progress in getting ready for the offensive against the Minbari was moving full speed ahead. Provisions and supplies were being moved off of the EarthForce warships like the Olympus Corvettes, Artemis Frigates, Hyperion Cruisers, Avenger Carriers, and Nova Dreadnoughts onto the Robotech warships.
Preparations for the upcoming offensive were moving on schedule. Kazianna Hesh's Sentinels Alliance forces were just about ready, the fleet of one thousand ships was fully crewed including mecha.
The fleets being assigned to General Carter, and Admiral Sterling were fully provisioned and it was a matter of dotting I's and crossing T's. Admiral Sterling was pleased with the Veritech training program that she'd established and the team she'd put together had done a great job getting Starfury pilots trained to fly Veritechs.
She'd had to start up a training program to fly the new Queadlunn-Rhea since production on those was about to start. Right now, a lot of that training was strictly simulators only as there were only the one squad of prototypes that were being tested during this time. Rank having its privileges, she would flight test each new prototype model and give her feedback on the first day of test flights, sometimes squeezing in that flight very late in the day but no matter what she managed to take a test flight in the latest prototype model Queadlunn-Rhea. Miriya was constantly on the move between the Robotech Factory and her flagship, the SDF-3 so she could make sure that her fleet was ready as well as make sure the pilots being trained in the Factory were ready.
As much as she wanted a flight of Queadlunn-Rhea mecha ready in time for the offensive aboard her fleet, there were protocols to follow. The mecha would be ready soon and she would get at least one squadron of them as soon as they were ready besides, while they had a lot of mecha, they were slightly short on pilots. All of her Robotech ships were going to be going into battle with half of their total Veritech complement aboard even with the Invid helping out in that aspect.
Her flagship, the SDF-3 Pioneer would only have just over seven hundred Veritechs manned. Her CAG and Skull Squadron Commander Jeffrey Sinclair was shocked at the amount of Veritechs and other craft were aboard. Miriya had to explain that Robotech warfare wasn't just a lot of firepower from the warships, due to fighting the various enemies over the many centuries she'd been a Quadrano then fighting for the RDF and REF, mecha combat was about putting massive numbers of mecha out there to deal with the enemy's own mecha. Soon the Minbari would be vastly outnumbered by thousands of mecha that would be launching out of the many Robotech warships.
The legendary Super Dimensional Fortress warship should have just around one thousand seven hundred fifty Veritechs, shuttles, and other aircraft and she was offered more pilots but she decided that the other warships in her fleet needed them so she was reluctantly satisfied with what she had. Given that no ground operations were planned, she only had a few squads of EarthForce marines trained in Destroid operation aboard her flagship and there were a few squads on other ships in her fleet as well.
With Commander Jeffrey Sinclair and the rest of Skull Squadron aboard the SDF-3, the man was now the CAG of the SDF-3's Veritech assets as well as the squadron leader of the most famous squadron in EarthForce and as more squadrons were qualified he found himself looking currently at over three hundred Veritech pilots assigned to the SDF-3 with more due to be transferred over and assigned until they reached that seven hundred number.
To help with the workload Jeffrey had an assistant CAG that was Commander Robert Wolfe who'd been the CAG for the Achilles and together the two quickly bonded as friends.
The two men were talking in Jeffrey Sinclair's office, going over the paperwork for the latest arrivals of Veritech pilots. Their conversation was mainly about the newer Veritechs that had just arrived, more than one hundred VF-25 Messiah Veritechs. Word was more Veritechs would be coming soon.
Robert said, "Those VF-25's look absolutely amazing. You fly one of them yet?"
Jeffrey nodded, "Yes, Admiral Sterling had all of us fly them during testing while we were aboard the Factory."
Robert asked, "What about that Queadlunn-Rhea, what's your take on it?"
Jeffrey said, "Well I haven't had a chance to fly it but I can tell that a couple of my pilots want to switch over."
"Really? Like who?", Robert asked with curiousness on his face.
"Lieutenants Mylene Sterling and Mark Kincaid.", Jeffrey answered.
Robert nodded, "Well I can see Lieutenant Sterling, she's from Max's side of the family right?"
Jeffrey pushed paperwork from one side to the other as he finished looking at it. "Yeah, she may be from Max's side but she takes after her great great grandmother. She has more kills than I do since the battle of Sestun."
Robert whistled, "She's deadly."
Jeffrey looked at Robert directly and said, "She's highly motivated. The Minbari killed a lot of her family as well as her fiancee."
"What about Lieutenant Kincaid? Why does he want to switch over to flying the Queadlunn-Rhea?"
"He wants to be the first male pilot to fly the infamous Zentraedi 'Female' powered armor and assigned to the first squadron of them." Jeffrey said.
Robert asked, "So, is Skull going to be getting those VF-25's to fly or are they going to a different squadron?"
That was when Miriya who'd been standing in the doorway unnoticed said, "They're going to Skull Squadron." Both men started to stand up when Miriya gestured for them to sit. She looked at Jeffrey and said, "Skull is the tip of the spear, they get the best and the VF-25 Messiah is an impressive mecha. The Shadow Alphas and Betas will be staying aboard and we will be taking on some of the other mecha as well. Get your pilots familiar with them using the simulators aboard the ship."
"Yes ma'am.", Jeffrey replied.
General Carter's fleet was looking ready as well considering the fast amount of transitioning to Robotechnology. It wouldn't have been possible without so many Zentraedi and Tirolians and the few Invid hybrids that had answered the President's call.
Simulated combat using the warships and mecha in various scenarios was an everyday occurrence. Much of it was being done in the outer portion of the Sol system near Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto or they would Fold out to an uninhabited system and conduct the training operation there. After rigorous simulated combat training there would be debriefs where they would discuss what went right and what went wrong. Those that learned from their mistakes moved forward, those that seemed to not get it were sent back down to the base on the dark side of the moon to start over.
On the ground, the Marines were training hard on Mars and in the open fields of the former Russian and Chinese lands that allowed the Destroids and Cyclones to operate without any problems. The planned invasion of a Minbari world was going to be a massive undertaking but morale throughout EarthForce was at an all time high now. The Marines were looking forward to giving the Minbari a fight they hadn't had since the invasion of Flinn. While they fought the Minbari off the world, the aliens resorted to bombarding the world to the bedrock and glassed it. Since then, the Minbari refused to land on any Earth colony, simply bombarding them from orbit to the bedrock so that not even the deepest shelter could protect the civilians that tried to hide from the Minbari's wrath.
Admiral Komira Parino walked onto the warship that was her new Flagship, the SDFMC-03 Thor's Hammer. She was alone, she wanted to have this moment to herself and she walked the hallway, following the color coded identifiers on the walls and stepped on to the Bridge of the powerful warship. She took note of everything, it reminded her of the old SDF-1's set up as she looked around.
This was hers. A warship command after so long, and not only that they had given her the Seventh Fleet. As she absorbed everything, taking the time to sit in the Captain's chair she knew she had her work really cut out for her now.
She blinked back some tears as her emotions came up. She remembered when she first became a Captain of her first warship and she thought of everything she'd been through. Komira stood up from the Captain's chair and walked out of the ship. General Lefcourt had informed her that she would be getting her command team later today and she still had work to do to start handing off her duties as the commanding officer of warship training to her team so she could start getting her new command up and running.
Foreign Minister Roy Hunter of the Sentinels Alliance had been kept very busy over the few weeks since his arrival. From having to attend various functions such as meetings with Senators and other government officials, various dinners with high ranking officials as well as influential people, and he'd gone on a tour of Mars, the Jovian asteroid belt mining complex, and a trip to the moon and the colonies and EarthForce base that was present there.
Roy was hard at work, constantly in contact with the Sentinels Council and making sure they were kept up to date with the current discussions he was having with the Earth Alliance government.
Roy also kept in contact with Grand Admiral Kazianna Hesh, keeping informed as to their progress in getting ready for the offensive that was about to kick off. Everything seemed to be on track.
The Robotech Factory
General Lefcourt's Office
The clock was winding down, there were only a couple of days remaining for the President's deadline and the senior officer had received intelligence from Director Alexas that had him concerned. After a meeting with the President and the rest of the Joint Chiefs, it was necessary to find out if his men and women were ready a little earlier than planned.
An Hour Later…
The General's office had Admiral Sterling, General Sam Carter, and Grand Admiral Kazianna Hesh of the Sentinels Alliance. The room was secured and General Robert Lefcourt began, "Intelligence has given us some warning that the Minbari are about to go on the offensive and Intelligence is highly confident that they're going after Sestun first, namely because it's where their asses were handed to them for the first time in a long time."
Looking at everyone General Lefcourt had paused then continued, "We've completed the evacuation of Sestun and the Fifty Seventh Fleet has been keeping an eye on things but we all know that's not going to cut it. The hyperspace route from Sestun leads to three different colonies that will bring them closer to Earth." The General looked at Sam Carter and asked, "Sam, I know it's a little early but are your people ready? How'd you like to give the Minbari another defeat?"
General Sam Carter smirked, "We're ready and I'd love to give the Minbari another kick in the ass."
Genera Lefcourt smiled, "Then after this meeting, you get your fleet to Sestun and send the Fifty Seventh back home. Take the opportunity to finish up any training you can while waiting and when the Minbari finally do show up, don't mess around. The gloves are off, everyone. You are to use all weapons at your disposal and don't let them get into their firing range. We out range them now, so hit them from max range and pound them into scrap. If they surrender great, take it but be careful, Intelligence has received reports from the Centauri that these Warriors of theirs have done false surrenders before so if they do surrender, take all measures to protect your people from any treachery."
The assembled officers nodded their heads.
Sam stood up and said, "Well if there's nothing else General, I'd like to get going."
Robert offered a handshake to Sam, "Good luck General."
Sam smirked, "Thank you, I promise another victory Robert, we've got the tools and I believe in my men and women." With a salute between the two Generals, Sam Carter walked out of the office shaking hands with Miriya and Kazianna who offered their own words of encouragement.
After Sam was gone General Lefcourt said, "Grand Admiral Hesh I understand that your forces are ready to go, I was hoping that you could help me out with a situation."
Kazianna said, "Whatever you need, we're here to help General."
"I'm glad to hear it.", General Lefcourt said. "I'd like you to detach a couple hundred ships from your fleet and send them to Deneb so the 34th Fleet can return here and transfer to the Robotech ships and get back in the fight. The fleet is mostly Zentraedi crewed and they all remember how to fight with Robotechnology. So, I'd like to get them back, give them a quick refresher course and send them out to restart the commerce raiding. I have another fleet that I will send back to Deneb as soon as their training is complete. Additionally, I was hoping you'd spread your fleet out and take guard duty on some more colonies. In the end your attack fleet would still be around two hundred warships and you'd definitely outnumber the Minbari forces you encounter."
Kazianna stroked her chin in thought and said, "That won't be a problem."
General Lefcourt said, "Excellent. Thank you Kazianna. I'll give you the destinations for the other fleets later."
The General pushed a button and a hologram of Minbari space appeared. "Much of what we know about Minbari space is from the Centauri Republic. Ambassador Londo Mollari was kind enough to give us a map of Minbari space. He claimed the map was extremely old. Director Alexas has spent a lot of time and resources into confirming this data."
"Thanks to this information, we used it to send our raiders, the ones we hired and our own EarthForce warships into their space and hit their shipping. We've had to stop that tactic temporarily as the Minbari have finally started defending their shipping within their territory but we're going to start that up again very soon. Admiral Sterling, Grand Admiral Hesh, we've decided on the first targets."
The map split and zoomed in on two planets, one near the northern border of Minbari space the other deep within Minbari space close to the southeastern part of their Federation. "The first target is a system called Sh'Lekk'Tha, and the other is Eshar. The first one as you can see is near their border to ours and it makes them think that we're just getting started. The second as you can see is deeper within their space and will no doubt scare the shit out of them as they try to figure out how we were able to get so deep into their space without being detected."
General Lefcourt gestured at all of the planets that were on the hologram. "The President has given the directive that we are going to start hitting their worlds. We will be engaging in a multi pronged offensive by using your two fleets to start and bringing in more ships over time, attacking more of their worlds. While I wish I could send General Carter with you two, a good start would be your two fleets starting those planetary raids. When General Miraleth returns and switches over to Robotech ships he'll restart our commerce raids causing chaos, and this strategy will be expanded upon with multiple raiding fleets. Both of you have the authority to engage in such activity if you have the opportunity. But primarily Admiral Sterling, Grand Admiral Hesh, your task forces are going to start hitting their worlds."
"Then, while you are causing chaos and mayhem, making their citizens panic if the Minbari have not come to us to start negotiating a peace treaty, we will launch our first planetary invasion on one of their worlds and see if that gets their attention and makes them realize how serious we are."
Kazianna was looking at the holographic map then she looked up at General Lefcourt and she asked, "Just so I'm clear and I'm pretty sure that I already know the answer, are we going to hit these worlds with a full Rain of Death?"
Robert confirmed what Kazianna was asking by shaking his head and saying, "No. The President wants to show the Minbari and the galaxy for that matter that we are not genocidal. Planetary bombardments are authorized but what you and the others that are assigned this task will do is destroy their orbital infrastructure, bombard all their industrial buildings, hit their infrastructure, destroy any and all military targets. Do your best to minimize civilian casualties. Then you do this again and again."
Miriya smiled slightly. "That's fine."
Kazianna nodded, "Acceptable."
General Lefcourt said, "Are your forces ready? If I gave the word, could you pull this off or do you need a couple more days?"
Miriya and Kazianna looked at each other then at General Lefcourt. Miriya was first to say, "Say the word General."
Kazianna nodded her head. "We're ready."
With an approving look General Lefcourt said, "Ladies, the word is given. Finalize everything and prepare for departure to your targets in twenty four hours. Miriya, your target will be Eshar and Kazianna will target Sh'Lekk'Tha. Destroy their military forces defending those worlds including any reinforcements they may send to try and stop you then complete your mission, the complete destruction of all their orbital infrastructure, all military and industrial planetary targets and selected civilian infrastructure targets as well. Remember, we are not the Minbari so rescue any survivors that escape in their escape pods and once they're stable arrange to have them transported back so we can interrogate them and put them into proper prison camps."
Looking at Miriya General Lefcourt said, "By the way Miriya, I have freed Doctor Stephen Franklin from the stockade, he'll be reporting to the SDF-3 within the hour. Don't make me regret this."
"Thank you General, I appreciate it.", Miriya said.
Nodding his head and giving a grunt or maybe clearing his throat the General said, "The President has a message she wants broadcast directly to the Minbari people. So do not destroy all those communication satellites of theirs. You are to use your cyber warfare specialists to hack the Minbari's FTL communications so that this message will reach every Minbari world, ship, space station. This message will tell the Minbari that the war is no longer a game, that we're coming and if they want the blood of their people to stop bleeding then they have to come to the table. Before you depart, you will receive this message from the President, she's currently working on the message but I'm told it will be ready by the time you depart in twenty four hours."
The two Zentraedi women nodded their heads and rose. General Lefcourt said, "Alright, the clock is ticking so I'll let you finalize everything. Good luck to you both and to all your people."
The two senior officers left the General's office and the General started by making a call to the President.
"Madam President, I have given orders to General Carter to return to Sestun. We're anticipating another attack there and even though its been evacuated the hyperspace route needs protection. Furthermore Grand Admiral Hesh will be sending some of her ships to Deneb so we can send the 34th fleet back home for training. She's also agreed to send more of her ships to defend some of our other colonies so more our men and women can return home for Robotech training. Finally, both Grand Admiral Hesh and Admiral Sterling will be launching their attacks in twenty four hours."
President Levy nodded and pursed her lips in thought. "Are you confident that they can do this?"
"Madam President, if I wasn't confident I would not have approved this.", the General said with seriousness.
Elizabeth said, "Then I better finish my message to the Minbari people and their leadership. I sure hope they listen to this message and reach out to begin peace talks. Thank you General, I will contact you when it's ready."
Six Hours Later
Aboard the Eisenhower Class Battleship Damocles General Sam Carter was watching as the final preparations were being completed for his fleet of three hundred warships. The fleet was a mix of Eisenhower class battleships, Ikazuchi cruisers, and some Thurvel Salan Heavy Cruisers that had been modified for human sized crew.
Like the rest of the fleets the mecha compliment was so large that not one warship had enough pilots to crew them all but there were more than enough pilots spread though the fleet that would still overwhelm Minbari fighter numbers now. This was an aspect of combat that many Humans had forgotten.
General Carter looked to his new right hand man, Colonel Steven Smith a dark skinned man that had a very boisterous personality. His former right hand, Colonel William Hague was promoted to General and was going to be in command of his own fleet and forces soon, possibly taking part in the planetary invasion but it wasn't decided yet. He called to congratulate his friend and wished him the best of luck.
On the Flag Bridge of his flagship Colonel Smith looked at his commanding officer and said, "General, we're as ready as we're going to be, the fleet has moved to Fold position."
Sitting in his chair, looking at the holo tank that displayed everything he had his unlit cigar in his mouth. "Get me fleet wide."
After a moment the General was speaking to his entire fleet. "Everyone, a lot of you fought with me at the first battle of Sestun. For the rest of you, some of you have survived other battles with the Minbari where we lost friends and family. Today we go forward to defend our territory once more. We know the Minbari will want to avenge their loss and prove to us and to the galaxy that it was a fluke."
"But, that victory at Sestun was not a fluke. We have the technology to see them and we sure as hell have the capability to fight them and defeat them again and again. I trust you will all do your duty to the best of your ability. When will the Minbari arrive, we don't know. So, to keep you all busy we'll be training and training some more so that we will be even more ready to fight them and win."
General Carter paused, looking at the determined looks on his men and women with him in the Flag Bridge. "This is General Carter, start the clock for Fold jump."
A warning klaxon sounded and a voice announced, "Stand by for Fold jump, all personnel report to your Fold stations. T minus five minutes until Fold."
Everyone on the Flag Bridge was ready, it was a matter of waiting for the Fold to take place. The counter was on display counting down the time until the Fold jump took place and as the clock reached its final countdown everyone was ready.
Out in local space there was an ISN news crew watching General Carter's fleet about to depart and the reporter narrated as the Fold jump began, describing the scene of hundreds of glowing frosted snow globes suddenly appearing and then vanishing away as the fleet of warships executed the Fold jump back to Sestun.
Within the War Room at EarthForce HQ and the Factory Control center aboard the Robotech Factory they received the message from General Sam Carter that they had arrived at Sestun and were sending the Fifty Seventh fleet back home. The Fifty Seventh fleet would be starting their journey back to Earth in an hour. Now it was a matter of waiting for the Minbari to arrive and give them a very warm welcome again, a welcome that the Minbari were sure to never forget.
Minbari Federation Space
The Valen'Tha
Minbar
The Grey Council watched impassively as the fleet of over one hundred warships moved through the local space of Tarellen towards the jump gate. This fleet would destroy the Humans that would still be defending Sestun as well as any Humans on the colony world.
From there they would move deeper into their space and start making real progress towards the Human homeworld that they did not know the location of but in time they would find it and once they found the Human's homeworld they would at long last wipe out the infestation known as Humanity.
Delenn watched with concern, prior to this meeting she had met with Lenonn and that meeting did not go well.
Flashback Begins
Satai Delenn had moved secretly through the city making her way to the meeting place that had been agreed upon. Taking care to make sure she had not been followed she finally arrived at the meeting spot, a place frequented by the Religious caste.
She didn't have to wait very long as another hooded figure approached, bowed their head, and greeted, "Salutations Satai Delenn."
Delenn returned the greeting, relieved to see the leader of the Rangers. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about."
Lenonn, the Anla'Shok Na of the organization known as the Anla'Shok, otherwise known as the Minbari Rangers said, "I have spoken with War Leader Brammer a few weeks ago and I advised him to tell the Grey Council to stop the war. Did he not speak to the Grey Council about this?"
Delenn was shocked and surprised. "No, no he did not. Why would you think this was a wise course of action?"
Lenonn asked, "Did he not show you the footage I had given him?" The Minbari lowered his hood, expressing fear and concern as he said, "Delenn, these people have faced extinction not once but multiple times and each time they have emerged stronger and more powerful at the end! They possess a technology they swore they wouldn't use again but our actions against them have forced them to return to this technology and it will destroy us all unless we stop this madness! You must watch this historical footage, watch it again and again. Make the others watch, make them SEE! We must listen to what the Vorlons told us, Delenn. The Vorlons told us not to do what we are doing and I fear we are going to pay a price far higher that we are willing to pay to only result in our defeat."
Delenn leaned back and a flash of anger came upon her face. "Defeat!? These animals killed Dukhat! I want this war to stop but it is too late, this war cannot stop even as much as I want it to. Besides, their victory was only a fluke."
Lenonn cut in, "It was not a fluke and you know it, you sense it. Don't let this war cost us our best and brightest that we have left. I urge you to speak with the Grey Council and press for a cessation of hostilities. Let me speak to the Humans, I will go out and speak to them on the Grey Council's behalf."
Delenn shook her head. "The fleet is about to depart for Sestun, we will defeat that fleet that had beaten Shai Alyt Sineval and he will have his vengeance and the Wind Swords will be pleased. She paused and said, "I must go."
Delenn made to leave but Lenonn reached out and passed a data crystal into her hand. "Watch this, watch this and learn how the Humans had fought extinction more than once. Then you will see the truth."
The Anla'Shok Na left with a disappointed look on his face while Delenn left with a determined look on hers.
That determined look faded to astonishment and fear after she had watched the archival footage of the 'History of the Robotech Wars'. She couldn't believe what she had seen and that began to nag in her mind that something bad was coming for her people now.
Flashback End
Now as Delenn watched the Shargoti Class Battlecruiser Fires of Minbar fly by the camera, it was the flagship and Shai Alyt Sineval was aboard commanding this mighty war fleet to destroy the Humans. The Wind Swords Elders were promising victory with the Shai Alyt swearing that the Humans would die painful agonizing deaths for their audacity to fight back.
As she watched the fleet enter the jump gate and begin its journey, her fellow Grey Council Members seemed very confident that the Humans would be defeated even though they had broken their vaunted stealth. They believed they still out ranged the Human's weapons and this victory was still assured by their superior range and firepower and the Human's warships would be sliced and diced by their powerful weapons.
But Delenn was afraid. Afraid that the Humans might really be in possession once more of the warships she'd seen in the archival footage and she looked at Brammer, the War Leader as there seemed to be a concerned look on his face as well that quickly vanished after he seemed to realize that he was being watched.
Delenn felt so alone right now, she wished that Dukhat was there to advise her.
Earth Space
Admiral Miriya Sterling was on the Flag Bridge of the SDF-3 as she was making the final preparations for her fleet's departure. They were hours away from making the Fold jump to Eshar. Her aide informed her that someone wanted to speak with her. Miriya turned from the holo tank she was studying and looked at the doorway to see Doctor Stephen Franklin standing at ease.
Looking at her people she said, "I will return shortly, keep on with what you're doing we have a departure time to meet."
Miriya walked away and approached the young doctor who stood at attention as she got near and saluted her. She returned the salute and said, "Walk with me Doctor."
The two walked down the hallways of the warship a short distance until they reached Admiral Sterling's office. She gestured and said, "Please have a seat.", as she sat down in her own chair behind her desk.
The young doctor sat down saying, "Thank you Admiral."
After both were seated Miriya asked, "Have you reported in to Captain Sheridan?"
Miriya took her measure of the young idealistic doctor. He looked tired, as if he hadn't been sleeping well but his eyes were fiery with determination and idealism.
Stephen Franklin said, "Yes ma'am, I have reported in to Captain Sheridan. He told me to report to you right away before reporting to sick bay."
Miriya nodded, "Do you know why you're here Doctor?"
Stephen said, "I understand I have you to thank for my freedom, that you went to bat for me. Thank you Admiral. But since this posting has me aboard a warship as one of the ship's doctors and we're going to be going into to where we're going, well I'm not stupid. You expect to pick up Minbari prisoners and some of them may be injured and you need a doctor that knows Minbari physiology."
Miriya nodded in confirmation. "Correct, I don't want any Minbari prisoners that may be injured dying on my watch if it can be avoided. I applaud your convictions in destroying your notes. We are not Deathwalker and most importantly I would not support any of our people becoming our own version of Deathwalker. Biological weapons are coward's weapons, so well done in sticking for your beliefs."
Miriya pointed at Stephen, "You're going to make sure the rest of the doctors aboard are knowledgeable enough that they're not going harm or kill any Minbari patients we receive and once they are medically stable they will be sent off to a detention facility where they will be treated humanely until we are able to return them to their people once the war is over."
Stephen nodded in acknowledgment saying, "Yes ma'am I can do that."
Smiling, Miriya clapped her hands once saying, "Excellent. Go ahead and report to sick bay and to our Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Stephanie McCoy. My advice to a great start with her is to not call her 'Bones'. After you're fully checked in you can report to your quarters to rest. Our departure is not for several hours and I can see that you're tired."
Standing up, Stephen saluted and said, "Yes ma'am."
Miriya rose and saluted back. "Welcome aboard the SDF-3 Doctor Franklin, dismissed."
"Thank you ma'am.", he said.
The young doctor left and made his way to the ship's sick bay to report to his new boss.
The fleets of Admiral Miriya Sterling and Grand Admiral Kazianna Hesh had moved away from the local space around Earth, the Robotech Factory, and the moon well away from the gravity well and were preparing for their Fold jumps to their assigned destinations. Watching this all happen was a lot of people from EarthForce as well as an ISN news crew that was filming this. EarthForce insisted that this would not be broadcast live due to the security issues. ISN easily agreed and the footage would be part of the news broadcast later in the day.
A task group of two hundred warships from Grand Admiral Hesh's fleet would be going to Deneb to take over the defense of that world while the EarthForce Fleet posted at Deneb would return to Earth and quickly train up to get the rust off using Robotech warships and mecha then launch their own attacks against Minbari shipping once more. Another fleet from Earth would take over the task group guarding Deneb in about a week.
Meanwhile Kazianna Hesh's remaining fleet of eight hundred warships that were commanded by her in the Nupetiet-Vergnitzs-Class Fleet Command Battleship that had been named the Victory. She felt the name appropriate and she stood in her command blister overlooking the bridge crew performing their duties, she knew her fleet was ready as ever. Her remaining eight hundred ships would split into task groups of two hundred warships each and three of those task groups would Fold to Earth Alliance colonies to defend them while her own two hundred strong fleet would be Folding to Sh'Lekk'Tha and conducting their attack upon the Minbari world. Once there she would again deliver the Sentinels Alliance declaration of war even though the Foreign Minister had already declared it in a speech a few weeks ago. The recorded message she was in possession of was from the Prime Minister of the Sentinels Alliance itself.
As both Miriya and Kazianna prepared to depart an announcement came in that a message from President Elizabeth Levy as well as Foreign Minister Roy Hunter was due to be transmitted to the departing fleets. The special message to the Minbari people that the President had crafted and recorded had been uploaded to Admiral Miriya and Grand Admiral Kazianna with orders to make sure this message is seen by the Minbari populace immediately after their attacks on their targets were completed.
On both fleets the word came in that the message from the Foreign Minister of the Sentinels Alliance and the President of Earth Alliance was about to speak and both fleets opened their communications so that the messages could be heard.
The President went first, her voice calm and level as she said, "To all EarthForce and Sentinels Alliance forces about to depart, know that you take Humanity's hopes with you. War is a tragedy and while this war began out of a tragic confluence of mistakes and horrible decisions, we are depending upon you and those that will follow behind you to bring this war to an end. We want the Minbari to negotiate, we want an end to this war that both sides can be satisfied with." Her voice took a harsher tone now. "But failing that, if the Minbari are not willing to talk peace we will fight on and we will force the Minbari to surrender." She took a lighter tone again saying, "Remember our values, we are not the Minbari. We do not slaughter helpless civilians, we do not slaughter helpless people in escape pods. We do not commit genocide. I know that you will not fail in this endeavor and you all have our full support and prayers as you fight for our survival."
"To those of the Sentinels Alliance, we thank you for coming to our aid in our time of crisis and need. Truly you are the friends and blood brothers and blood sisters that forged our Alliance in the crucible in the war against the Robotech Masters, the Invid, and the Haydonites when they betrayed us. I am and our people will be forever grateful that you came here to fight with us again side by side."
With a brief pause the President finished, "Good luck to all of you."
A few seconds after that, Foreign Minister Roy Hunter of the Sentinels Alliance began to speak. "To the forces of the Sentinels Alliance and EarthForce, more than a century ago when the United Earth Government and the Sentinels Alliance government parted ways we parted as friends and allies. Humanity came to the Sentinels Alliance aid in our darkest time as we fought for our freedom against the overlords left behind by the Robotech Masters and then the Invid led by the Regent. In our darkest time, we fought together and bled together to free our worlds from the Invid and Robotech Masters. All for that which sentient beings across two galaxies hold dear: Freedom."
"When we had won and enjoyed that all too brief moment of peace, no one could have predicted the betrayal of the Haydonites and when our forces were at our lowest, it was Humanity that had our backs, that drive, that focus and united us all to defeat the Haydonites once and for all."
"Now in your darkest hour, you returned to the Pegasus galaxy to retrieve that which had helped you achieve victory time and time again. When we came to visit and speak with your Secretary of State, he told us of your plight and it was an easy decision to offer our aid, to come here to your home galaxy and help you defeat a terrible and mighty foe. As we had in the past we are united once more to fight. I know in my heart that together, we will win! Good luck to all of you and I pray you all return to your loved ones victorious!"
With that message completed the two war fleets, one which was a mix of Zentraedi warships which included a massive Zentraed Fleet Command Battleship as well as the old REF warships, the other a mix of Eisenhower and Ikazuchi cruisers with the SDF-3 as its flagship began to execute their Fold jumps to their assigned destinations.
Kazianna's fleet was the first fleet to execute their Fold jumps. Kazianna Hesh's Sentinels Alliance fleet quickly vanished in sequence, the two hundred ships going to Deneb vanished first then the remaining eight hundred warships began to appear like frosted snow globes and then they too vanished in two hundred ship blocks as they made their Fold jumps to their destinations until all one thousand ships were gone.
Admiral Miriya Sterling's fleet of three hundred warships led by the SDF-3 Pioneer began to disappear too as they Folded out to their own target and in an instant, the SDF-3 and the rest of the fleet was gone.
For the first time in more than one hundred years, Robotech warships and mecha were going back to war. The Milky Way galaxy would never be the same. In an instant, both fleets would be in Minbari space and the Minbari would experience Robotech warfare for the first time.
Author's Note: I did say that I had to cut the last chapter in half which meant that this chapter was well underway! So, at long last, the build up is done, next chapter is what I'm sure you are all waiting for: Robotech Space Combat! The Minbari will discover that they no longer have that vaunted range advantage as well as sticking out like neon signs on the sensor nets of EarthForce's Robotech warships. Expect at least the two battles of Miriya's and Kazianna's fleets against the Minbari at two Minbari worlds. Next chapter is barely started so no idea when it will be ready. Anyway, I just want to thank all of you who are reading and enjoying this story, so thank you!