By Candlelight Defiance

Chapter Five

Starbase Laberre:

Three years on the Bozeman had lulled Jonathan Archer and the rest of the crew into a particular mindset, so when they arrived at Laberre a little over two weeks earlier, it came as somewhat of a shock to their collective systems. But whatever else this was, they felt exuberant in ways that he couldn't quite describe. What they found was a real haven. There were Vulcans and Andorian talking and enjoying each other's company, and that came as somewhat of a shock. The Tellerites were there, acting boorish as usual, but he reveled in their good-natured insults, and they enjoyed his retorts. There was even a Romulan, looking uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable as Jon would have expected. Of course, there were only three of them in this universe, and he imagined that loneliness had new meaning for them. But they had their Vulcan cousins, and that might be some consolation in the long run.

They were in a new universe full of ideas and possibilities, but it stunned him that Earth Alliance hadn't had the ability to explore what was in their own backyard, being tethered to the jump gates system. There were dozens of systems that they had never explored because they couldn't get to them unless they were part of the jump gate system. He realized that this simplistic answer wasn't accurate. Between the hyperspace eddies, wavefront vulgarities, and gravitational disruptions and the lack of reference points, he understood why local exploration was almost never done. Earth Alliance's exploration into systems without jump gates was at a crawl as jump-builders had to build the gates and place beacons via normal space travel. Traveling to the nearest unexplored star without a gate was a tedious, long-term mission. And thinking about it, it was probably good at this time in Earth Alliance's history. The civil war, the Dilgar war, and several other incidents strongly suggested they weren't ready to encounter some of their less advanced neighbors in their own backyard. In his opinion, they were too human-centric, and he honestly didn't know how they would respond and treat those locally, newly discovered.

Archer was surprised by the attitudes of the humans here. Their attitude wasn't the exception; they were the rule. All the races here were very isolated from one another, which wasn't that surprising, as it was the same in his 'old' universe.

His own attitude towards the Vulcans was nothing to bring about and his attitude was typical. He strongly disliked those aliens who kept Earth from proper exploration and refused to share some technological advances, supposedly for their own good, they explained. But at the same time, it was different, and the humans of Earth were a prime example of the differences. He didn't understand why, but now; he had a working theory.

He still disagreed with their heavy-handed tactics, but being out there, exploring the galaxy as a human organization, was an eye-opener. Their Vulcan ideas of non-interference weren't as stifling as he first believed. In fact, he was the one who recommended to Starfleet a set of rules for exploration and noninterference with less advanced cultures being developed. Those recommendations became the Prime Directive. After some of those experiences, he was more reflective about the Vulcans and their rules. He didn't agree with all of them, but many of them were valid. Starfleet modified it for humanity's and later the Federation's unique approach. And over the years, with his experiences with T'Pol, his talks with Ambassador Soval (that stiff-necked Vulcan), and the science officer on Laberre helped a lot. Archer prided himself on being open-minded. Now was the time to turn that bragging into practice. He had the option to choose, but he wasn't convinced humanity in this universe had that choice.

These people were genetically altered by the Vorlons and Shadows. For the discussions and recordings and records, humans and other races in this sector of space, especially the Minbari, saw the Vorlons almost as gods and the Shadows as evil personified. Garret and Picard had mentioned that the races here couldn't make certain technological leaps without dismissing it or having something going spectacularly wrong. It was as if the incidents were a form of reinforcement to the genetic programming?

Archer wasn't sure.

Many of the Earth Alliance people he had met were nice, or at least accepting of him and his crew, but something was off. Terrell Drake, captain of the Earth Alliance ship Evanston, was a case in point. Jon liked the man, but he could tell something was a little off when the two men discussed the events in their lives of the last few years. Terrell was very talkative, surprisingly so. His retelling of his first contact with Picard's and Garrett's ships was raw, and Archer didn't dare show any signs of pity towards him. However, the interesting thing was how he referred to the Starfleeters as 'other hums'. Jon had asked for clarification, and Terrell's response was an eye opener. "I don't mean to be disrespectful," he said, explaining his opinion during their trip to Laberre. "But you people don't act like normal human."

Jon was curious and asked how were humans supposed to act? He was told that no offense, but Drake described the Starfleeters were too isolated, too distant. They hadn't supported Earth as they did with aliens.

That was a very strange opinion, and Jon had to think about that hard.

In his universe, humans were isolated, but (most) of them wanted to find out what was out there in the galaxy. If there were other displaced humans and there were, Earth had no interest in dragging them back into the Terran government, if they didn't want to join. Here, Earth Alliance was different. And Drake's attitude was a perfect example because the Feds had bumped heads with the EA. And it wasn't just him.

Ambassador Cheryl Roman was another case in point. The woman's jealousy, envy, and suppressed fear were evident in her body language. Captain Sisko told him of the Centauri diplomatic visit and the woman echoed the same attitude when she spoke to him. She couldn't, no, she refused to understand why the Federation humans wouldn't abandon the aliens and join Earth. Picard and the rest literally saved Earth at least twice from complete obliteration and there were many who still didn't understand why the so-called human-based Federation would ally themselves with aliens and abandon (their) humanity. "Humans should come together with humans, not place aliens above their own kind," was one of her comments. She, like many others, still believed the Feds were some long-lost colonies and not dimensionally displaced people. but it didn't matter either. They were human and humans put other humans first. They were pack.

Another point of contention was that she couldn't understand why the Feds would share with aliens and leave Earth behind to play catchup if they even could do so. Roman expected the Feds to give every bit of technology and scientific knowledge to Earth Alliance on a silver platter the moment the treaty was signed. She couldn't understand why Starfleet wouldn't immediately begin tech transfer and fully join with Earth Alliance and humanity. She said that Jon's people didn't act 'human', because we wouldn't join them and instead remained separated. It was obvious she and others didn't and wouldn't, on a fundamental level, understand.

Something was off, and Archer's discussions with the others served only to increase his suspicions. The Vorlons had genetically manipulated all the races, including humanity. They were creatures of order and during his review of the conference between all the major powers, his ideas crystalized. His theory surprised all three captains, as they hadn't thought about it. that was understandable, since they had so many other things on their plate.

"I think human here is suffering from I would describe as artificially induced, 'herd mentality', a by-product of genetic tampering," he explained. "The Vorlons valued order. From what I've seen and heard, I think that an unintentional side effect was isolation from the races. Minbari sticks with Minbari. Humans stick with humans as a form of maintaining order. In our universe if we were isolationists because we chose to be. We weren't compelled. In this universe, the humans here believe we are part of the herd and when we refused to join them and share with the pack, not only didn't they expect our rejection, but they also can't understand it. From their perspective, we should be a part of the herd, by the fact that we're human no matter where we came from. Because we're not, they don't understand us and are afraid of us. Our technology frightens them more because we won't give it to them, and they sincerely believe that we owe them everything because we supposed to be part of the pack, and the pack shares all for the greater good, even if it kills them."

Picard listened closely to what Jon was saying, and the theory made sense to him. There were still missing pieces, but most of what he said fit in certain suspicions of his own. "If your theory is correct, it helps to explain why the telepaths are so feared and reviled by these people. Telepathy aside, many of these people are terrified of their mere existence. And the telepaths isolate themselves from fear. Again, this isn't concrete proof, only conjecture, but it may be a factor to be added to your theory."

"They are a not fully herd, but a sub-pack within the greater whole. And the fact is that we accepted them without reservation." And here he looked grim as he thought about Alfred Bester and the other Psi-corps leadership. "Our acceptance of the telepaths just confused Earth Alliance."

"I will stress that not all of this branch of humanity has this herd mentality, to some degree. Naturally, there are degrees, levels by which they are affected," Jon stated. "Some of them already have accepted us as part of the pack. Some don't care. To others, we have to prove ourselves by fitting in to their concept of humanity, submitting ourselves to their authority, and giving them everything. Senator Wells is a good example but, in his case, it appears to be more political than anything else."

"That's never going to happen," Sisko said flatly. "We will not go out of our way to appease these those people. We wouldn't survive a week."

"But it is a quirk we will have to live with and be careful to remember."

"It's an interesting theory," Rachel admitted. "We need more data. We can't blame the Vorlons for everything. The Shadows manipulated the races, too." She nodded to the others. "I would suggest that we continue observing that to validate or disprove your theory. We'll know in time.

Everyone agreed.

"Another problem to deal with," Picard murmured. "I am glad they signed the treaty. That should alleviate some part of this problem."

Earth Dome

Geneva, Switzerland: Planet Earth66

Earthforce HQ

The time was a little after noon, but the people of Earth couldn't tell by simply looking at the sky. The effects of the plasma strike on Earth not only sterilized a significant portion of the surface but had also vaporized hundreds of billions of gallons of fresh and sea water. The sun was barely seen through the thick layers of dust and pollution that currently shrouded the planet. Like the rest of the people of Earth, General Michael Fontaine hated it.

Earth's condition brought back nightmares of the Earth-Minbari war and what could have happened when the boneheads went for the final push. Earthforce was helpless, unable to see the enemy and unable to strike back effectively against armor that resisted Earth's best weapons, weapons that were all but useless.

Only the Minbari knew why, on the eve of their victory, they suddenly surrendered, and they weren't forthcoming. Fontaine never discovered the reason, but the 'surrender' bothered him for years. Uncertainty reigned. If they could surrender for no reason, then they could begin the war once more for no apparent reason.

When the Babylon Project began, he was sure it would fail in the first few months, but despite his pessimism, the fifth station survived the destruction of the previous four. He was never a fan of that station. But the last station survived.

When Clark became President of Earth Alliance, having no intentions of serving under that man, he retired with three stars. Everything that man touched died and when he first suggested the Ministries of Peace and Justice, and other fascists and neo-Nazis, immediately after President Santiago's death, Fontaine knew it was time to get out. He saw that train coming down the tracks from miles away.

Fontaine was out of the loop for seven years and only returned to Earthforce at Luchenko's request. He really didn't have a choice. The Minbari had demanded that Earth Alliance become, and Starfleet submit to becoming protectorates of the Minbari federation under Shakiri's rule, and neither one of them had any intentions of doing so. All signs pointed to another war with the Minbari, and Earth Alliance was in a panic. Either the EA was going to war with the Minbari, or the Minbari were about to have a civil war at very least. Naturally, Earth would get pulled into it at the worst possible time.

The civil war and attempted hijacking of Earth Alliance never happened, and Earth breathed a sigh of relief, but fears about the Minbari returned. The crisis was averted, however, the Sinhindrea came soon afterwards. At first, he wasn't sure if he wanted to return, but now he was back, and understood why, given the situation which was so deadly, he preferred the Minbari trying to force a protectorate on Earth. He was never a man to stand by and do nothing, something he discovered in the last few years.

He and General Tywin Freisier were at a sit-down, speaking officially to each other for the first time since the attack on Earth.

"You're finally caught up?" Freisier asked. He already knew the answer. "It's been difficult these last couple of weeks."

"Dunn, Brindley, Phelps, Abrams," Michael muttered. "Most of our senior flag officers confirmed dead. From what I've seen, I'm surprised Pickett and Denisov made it through this."

"Earthforce lost most of our field experienced officers and crews. We've been gutted."

"Then why in God's name are we supporting this Officer Exchange program at this time?" he asked angrily. "We need our people here, rebuilding our forces, not gallivanting with some alien mercenaries."

Tywin returned the glare Michael was giving him. "Because we need them. We need the knowledge and technology, and they need us," he answered. "Without them. We wouldn't be having this conversation."

Fontaine continued to glare for a moment and abruptly turned away. "I am fully aware of the situation," he snapped. "They bother me," grumbled. "I don't care where they claim they came from. They're an unknown quantity who have no allegiance to anyone but themselves. They sided with Sheridan, beat just about everyone who tried to attack them and are hated by those Vorlons and Shadows creatures. Now Luchenko signed a treaty with them," he practically sneered. "Does she have any idea what she's done?"

"She did what she had to do, and I agree with her decision. It might come back to bite us, but as of this moment, we don't have a choice if we want to survive."

"I won't disagree with you," Fontaine said. "But they could turn on us in a moment if they want to, and we'd look like fools again."

Freisier ruefully shook his head. "You're not saying anything the Joint Chiefs haven't discussed over the last three years. Brindley had the most contact with the Feds and what he saw frightened all of us. His reports were the stuff of nightmares. We were preparing for a Federation attack we knew we couldn't win. I'm surprised Clark didn't have a stroke worrying about the Feds and Sheridan waltzing in and taking over everything. That was a misjudgment of our part."

"Do you honestly believe that? I've read those reports and I understand how he felt. When Voyager appeared, I was sure Earth was done for," he snarled. "I made the same mistake everyone else did. I was sure they were invading while we were at their weakest. I was wrong, but on this one point, I still feel the same as Clark about them," he said. "We need to have some measure of control over them if Earth is to be safe and have a chance."

"They're independent. Every government has come to that conclusion."

"And their independence frightens me and their close association with the Minbari frightens me a lot more."

"The Minbari liked them less than we did," responded Freisier. "According to Brindley, the Minbari considered them a threat to their supremacy and standing in the galaxy." He smiled.

So did Fontaine. "I know. Whenever I felt restless, I would look at the recordings of the Ambassador and that Minbari challenging each other. It lifted me right up. I still look at it from time to time. But that's another point. Voyager took them to wherever it was they went off to! The Minbari!" he hissed. "Why did they allow those, those aliens to go with them? Why did they allow them to go and not us, their own fellow human? It enrages me they would choose them over us. Did we even protest that action? No, we didn't!"

"There was a reason, and we know because Lefcourt asked Picard."

Fontaine was furious, but curious. "What was that reason, and did it involve large sums of credits?"

"The same Minbari that challenged Captain Garrett in honorable combat to the death was the same one who asked if he could go with them to wherever it was the went to. And we didn't."

"And that admiral allowed it?" he asked incredulously. "If, and when, that ship returns, they will have advances we can only dream of," he raged. "That's why I don't trust them. They care more about aliens than they do us. They're little more than traitors to humanity, just like Franklin's son."

"Dr Stephen Franklin stood up to his ideals," Freisier retorted. "I didn't like what he did, either, but he made a choice."

"I should have had him shot!" Michael snarled. "We were losing, and he refuses to help his ow people against the Minbari. I don't care about morality or his Hippocratic oath. When Earth needed his help, he rejected us, burned his notes to keep them from us. He was a traitor to humanity when we needed his skills the most, and those Starfleeters are not much better in my opinion."

"For the last three years, we were on a knife's edge with these people. We were the aggressors. They still helped us and saved our butts on multiple occasions. We've started a working relationship with them, and we've already benefitted from it. Look Mike, we're the lowest on the totem pole. The Narns are ahead of us now. We are now the weakest major power in the sector. We're playing catch-up. So, your opinions aside, don't mess this up. We already have enough problems with the politicians. Senator Wells, if he becomes president, will get us all killed. None of us can afford to play the blame game right now, not when our survival is at stake. If you can't get on board, then let me know."

"I can get onboard," he grumbled. "I am loyal to Earth Alliance."

"That was never in question, Mike," Tywin said, not unkindly. "But you will have to deal with the Feds. Don't think of them as mercenaries because they aren't. Senator Wells has a new catchphrase. Earthforce will not repeat it. Look, Mike, there are things coming up soon that you will not like, but they will happen. As for the exchange program, you have a point. Those already in the program will stay, but we will stop anyone new from entering the program. You're right, we need them here so that we can rebuild and retrain as fast as possible before they come back, God help us."

The general didn't approve of the situation, but he was pragmatic. "What do you want me to do?"

"We have to rebuild our forces. They're going to be smaller, more compact in the short term. The Warlocks are going to be our premier capital ship of the line. We're phasing out the Hyperions as fast as possible. They're nothing but deathtraps and are past their usefulness. Omegas are still useful with the upgrades, and we have a lot of them. Upgrading them to the Alexander standard will do a lot in helping the security for Earth."

"Can we duplicate that ship?" Fontaine asked.

"We can get close now," the general responded. "The tritanium we're purchasing from Laberre, along with the new jump engines and schematics from the Soul Hunters and the new Krell fusion reactors coming in from the Proxima Union, will give us a solid jumping off point. The gravity systems are a godsend. The Raneko Monsoons proved their worth several times over, and when jump engines are installed, we going to take a very serious look at using them to the best of their abilities. We can recycle the Hyperions faster than scheduled. The new Aurora and Thunderbolt star furies we will be able to defend ourselves."

"We need shields," Fontaine snapped. "The Feds have them and we need them."

"We're working on that. The problem is, we need time. Our infrastructure survived and we have access to the Proxima docks. But we have to train people as fast as we can, and we will lose people because of safety concerns. And we need new officers and crews to crew our ships. a lot of Earthforce survivors are about to be promoted, and we don't want to repeat our mistakes. Our First Contact protocols will need to be updated. We want aggressive commanders, but ones that think before shooting. We can learn some things from the Feds. If you read their history, you'll see that they were a peace keeping and exploratory organization first and the military portion a secondary option." He huffed. "The Starfleeters found out the hard way that doesn't work in real life. They're now more evenly split. They're stressing the military aspect more."

"Do you believe all that crap?"

"Yes, I do. So did Brindley in the end and Phelps. Lefcourt is onboard, and he was more worried about a possible Starfleeter invasion than Brindley. The point is, we're gearing up as fast as possible and we need all of our surviving command staff to be at one hundred percent. Sooner or later, we're going after the Sinhindrea, and we must be ready. This means working with the Feds. We need time and the Minbari are paying for it. if they lose, we all die. The Officer Exchange program gives us experienced officers we can use. Like it or not, they're here to stay and we need them. But getting back to you. Before we give you free rein, you need to go to Laberre for a detailed physical."

Fontaine's head snapped back as if slapped. "The doctors here certified me fit for duty."

"You suffered effects from exposure to the plasma strike. You're in remission from pancreatic cancer. I know the diagnosis says you won't relapse for another seven to ten years. They can cure you at B5 and Laberre. Their medical facilities are beyond unbelievable and as I said, we need you at one hundred percent."

Mike Fontaine thought about it. This was an unexpected opportunity; one he hadn't expected.

"For you, Babylon Five isn't the best. Too much bad blood between you and the CMO. But Laberre will give you options and opportunities to observe how things work and not just read the reports."

"Understood. Will I be allowed to bring my family?"

"Yes. They can come with you along with members of the officers in the programs. Those EF personnel will remain in the program, and I said before. Captain Garrett requested this for the well-being of the officers in the program. Less stress for them." Frasier's face softened. "I think they can help your wife's and son's blindness. Our doctors both there and here are finalizing techniques on optic nerve regeneration and rad poisoning for this particular type or radiation."

Inwardly. h shivered at the thought of what his family had gone through. The plasma torpedo utilized a particularly nasty form of radiation. Between that and her slower recovery from the effects of the Shadow plague, her health wasn't good. It was another problem for Earth to deal with, and another reason to kill them all.

"When will I leave, sir?"

"The military transport will be ready in two days. Warlock class. I'm not even sure if the paint is dry yet. It'll get you and your family there. Once certified by Laberre, you will receive your assignment."

Fontaine didn't like the sound of being on the receiving end of of that. "Yes. sir."