Address criticisms to[xazqrten@cox.net]
*****************************
0420 Onboard the Minbari war cruiser Valen's Path:
"We are about to enter the space near Mars, sir," said the shai alyt's
second in command.
"Ensure that our gun ports are closed and the weapons are powered down. The
humans have just had heavy combat with a small Drakh force and suffered a great
many casualties. They will be very nervous, and quick to shoot first and ask
questions later," reminded the shai alyt.
"It is as you order."
A few minutes later they Valen's Path opened a jump point. The captain was
not surprised when he was told, "Shai Alyt, someone has locked weapons on us."
"You seem surprised," replied the shai alyt.
As the war cruiser exited the jump point, the shai alyt noted, "They have
their weapons systems powered-up and ready to engage us." A few seconds later,
the weapons lock was terminated and the shai alyt observed that the Ares
weapons systems were placed in standby.
"It is as you said. They are nervous."
"I prefer to think they are vigilant. I would be in this situation. We could
be a Drakh force. It isn't inconceivable. You note that as soon as we could be
identified, they dropped their lock and placed their weapons in standby. That
ship has a well trained crew, considering that they are humans," commented the
shai alyt.
******************************
0430 hours in CIC onboard EAS Ares:
"Lieutenant Ellis, someone is opening a jump point at one thousand
kilometers off our port bow," said the duty SWC, Ensign Hall.
Lieutenant Ellis was in the process of calling Captain Owens, When Ensign
Hall spoke again. "Forward weapons arrays are powered up, I have weapons lock
and am bringing the ship about."
Less than a minute later, Ensign Hall identified the ship as a Minbari war
cruiser, dropped the weapons lock and placed the main batteries back into
standby. "Lieutenant, it’s the Minbari war cruiser we’re expecting."
Lieutenant Ellis was by this time talking to Captain Owens on the intercom.
He was instructed to contact the Minbari warship and arrange for Doctor Harris
to communicate with them.
"Mister Ellis we have an incoming call from the war cruiser," noted the
communications watch.. With that said, the watch put the call on the main view
screen.
*********************************
0500 hours in Ivanova's stateroom:
Susan had been working since 0500 the previous morning. When her ever
present wake-up call sounded at 0500, she was jarred back to consciousness,
sweat running off her face and feeling very sticky all over. She checked her
data pad and realized she must have lost her fight with sleep at or just after
0300. The nightmare she had experienced prevented the sleep from relieving her
fatigue and caused her to sweat profusely from the stress it induced. Still
very groggy from her fatigue, she started a shower and spent the next thirty
minutes under the hot running water, fighting her emotions and the tears that
came as the events of her nightmare were vividly recalled.
Her nightmare had her beside her husband as he reclaimed his bags at the
terminal and proceeded to call a taxi. She was sitting beside him in the car
all the while trying to communicate with him to get him to have the car
stopped, but he couldn't hear her. Up ahead she saw the entrance to the tunnel
and was screaming to Charles that he had to stop. She was still screaming at
him when the car entered the tunnel at a speed just below the legal limit.
Susan saw the accident start to occur and tried to shake Charles, but she
couldn't touch him. The fire started with a bright flash and engulfed the taxi
and several more cars and a truck in less than an instant. She watched in
horror and screamed even louder as Charles burned before her eyes. It had been
at that moment that her wake-up alarm had sounded.
Susan was dressed in her bathrobe and recording messages for the next of kin
of those killed in yesterday's action. She was so engrossed in her activity
that she was startled when Mary said, "General, it's time you ate breakfast."
Susan consulted her watch and was surprised to see that it was already 0645
hours. She looked up at Mary and realized that she had better eat. The look in
her friend's eyes was not a pleasing one. She moved over to her dining table and
started to dig into the eggs on the plate. She had eaten all of two forks full
of food when her communications panel beeped. "Accept," she said through the
mouthful of chewed food.
"Good morning, general," said the cheery face of Captain Patrick Owens. "I
hope I didn't catch you at an inopportune time."
"I'm eating breakfast, Pat. You talk, and I'll eat."
"Colonel Munoz has reported that they have finished examining all the spaces
on the Drakh dreadnought. The entire crew is dead and his marines are moving the
bodies to a staging area near the point where they cut through the hull. He
assumes you want the bodies disposed of before the 'spooks' take over. He sent
the telepath back late last night. He says the kid was kind of spooked by what
he saw in the Drakh minds. I'll send him to see you whenever is convenient for
you."
"Send him to see me about 0800. Anything else?"
"Your friend Delenn sent us a bunch of Minbari doctors to help with the
injured rangers. We've lost a couple of them. The Minbari doctors said there
would not have been anything they could have done for them either. They seem
impressed with our medical staff's efforts. The captain of the war cruiser that
transported them has issued an invitation to you for lunch aboard his ship
today. It seems he is impressed with your tactics, amongst other things. Last
but not least, the captains of the other warlock destroyers are being brought
over this morning for interviews. Captain Cashdollar is being brought over to be
interviewed and left to you for punishment for his disobedience of your orders
yesterday. It seems that you gave up one job, just to be buried by another one."
"Like the song says, Pat, It never rains, but it pours. I'll be ready. Also,
tell that Minbari shai alyt that I accept his invitation."
********************************************
0700 in the Ares' flag mess:
"That's about it, General Leftcourt. The various captain's including
Cashdollar should all be aboard before 0830. I assume that Susan will get first
crack at him," said Sanchez.
"She is his immediate superior officer and he disobeyed her orders. I want
to see how she handles him. Especially after her handling of Captain Denson."
"The only thing Denson and Cashdollar have in common is that they are both
captain's in Earthforce," noted Marsh.
"I know that, but I’m curious to see her logic differs in the situations,"
noted Leftcourt.
"I thought you had ordered breakfast, Tom?" queried Sanchez.
"I did about fifteen minutes ago. Your stomach has too much influence on
you, Manuel."
"He has always had a thing for food. It must be a DNA thing," commented
Marsh.
"When do you plan to Leave, Tom?" asked Sanchez.
"As soon as Susan can arrange transportation back to Earth for us. I've been
away from my office for too damn long as it is. If I don't get back soon, my
chief-of-staff will probably have displaced me."
"Maybe she can fast talk the captain of that war cruiser hanging off our
port bow into taking you two back. Hell, it wouldn't take them an hour," said
Sanchez.
"I think they're too busy supporting their doctors and ours. Besides, with
that thing here with the Ares, I seriously doubt the Drakh would try another
attack. At least not without a hell of a lot more firepower than the last group
had," observed Leftcourt.
"I forgot about the group of doctors they sent over here. I understand they
are helping with the worst of the human casualties in addition to the wounded
rangers. I guess it helps to have influential friends in high places. Lord
knows, President Luchenko could never have managed to get this much help,"
commented Sanchez.
"How do you think that kind of influence would play for someone who was
President?" asked Leftcourt.
"The companies who do a lot of off-world trading would love it," replied
Marsh.
They heard the pantry door open and close. A moment later the odor of eggs,
bacon and several other breakfast items assailed their olfactory nerves. "I
believe breakfast has arrived, gentlemen," noted Marsh.
***********************************
0800 hours in Ivanova's stateroom:
Hearing a knock on her door, Susan said, "Enter."
A young man entered the room and stood in front of her desk. "Rodger Norton
reporting as ordered, General."
"Have you eaten this morning, Mister Norton?"
"Yes Ma'am. I ate in the wardroom at about 0630. The food is rather good."
"I understand you managed to gather some information from the Drakh, but
that the process gave you some trouble."
"I'm not sure trouble is the correct term. It left me feeling uneasy. Their
thought patterns aren't quite like anything I've encountered before. I'm a
commercial teep, rating P-5. We were taught how to handle alien thoughts in the
course of our normal jobs. We never received any training in forcible scanning.
I think they reserved that for the psi-cops."
"What did you get?"
"It might be easier to show you, general. I know you can't be scanned, but
this wouldn't be anything like that."
"We'll give it a try. It can't hurt anything."
Norton reached across Susan's desk. "If you will hold my hand, ma'am, it
might make it easier."
Susan took Norton's hand and commented, "This better not be a new pick-up
technique."
Norton couldn't help a little laugh, which was exactly what Susan wanted. If
he were at ease this should be easier.
For twenty minutes Susan's mind was busy trying to understand the images
Norton was sending her. She had experienced telepathic mind linking with Lyta,
but this was or at least the images were as alien as anything she had ever
experienced.
"I'm sorry, general, but that was what I got from their minds. My best guess
is that they were dying, satisfied that humanity would be snuffed out. As to
when, where and how, I don't have a clue," said Norton.
"It's all right, Mister Norton. I can't make heads or tails of the images
either. I just wish Lyta were here. She would probably know exactly what it all
means."
"If there is nothing more I can do, general. I need some down time. These
images give me the 'willies'."
"Thank you for your efforts, Mister Norton. You may go."
Norton had hardly left when Susan's door was again assaulted by someone's
knuckles. "Enter," responded Susan.
The door opened and an Earthforce captain entered. A glance told her it was
Captain Cashdollar. "I was ordered to report to you, general. It concerns what
transpired yesterday."
"It most certainly does, captain. I have to decide how to handle the
incident. There are some things I need to ask you. None of what you say here
will be used in any actions that may be taken by a board of inquiry. I want
answers for my own information. You may refuse to answer any of my questions if
you so wish. Essentially, what does or does not happen to you is completely up
to you. You’ll be offered alternatives. It’ll be up to you to make choices."
"Let's cut to the chase, general. My ass is grass and you’re driving the
lawnmower. What else is there to know?"
"I for one would like to know why you were dispersed as you were when Ares
arrived on the scene? I haven't seen the recordings from the whitestars yet. I
know they have complete records of all the intership communications, but I'll
watch and listen to them later. You have the floor. Enlighten me."
Cashdollar stood silently arranging his thoughts. He was silent for so long
that Susan finally asked, "Okay. Let's start with something easy. Have you ever
read the Standards of Engagements Manual, particularly the section that
addresses situations to be expected when encountering Drakh forces?"
After nearly two minutes of silence, Susan stated, "I'll take your silence
as a no. Do you know who wrote that section of the manual?"
When Cashdollar still remained silent, Susan asked, "Tell me, Captain, do
you know anything? If not, I have better things to do than waste my time
watching you do a poor imitation of a cigar store Indian."
Finally, Cashdollar broke his silence. "It doesn't matter if I answer or
not, general. You’ve already made up your mind."
"Since that’s the way you want it, captain, that's the way you'll have it. I
was prepared to offer you the opportunity to request immediate retirement at
your current rank, and that would be the end of it, no board of inquiry, no
nothing, even though I think you screwed up very badly because you don't like
me, and you never read the manual dealing with the Drakh, because of that
dislike. As long as it didn't hurt anyone else, it was your business. However,
yesterday, it may have cost a great many lives. You could have walked in spite
of that. All you had to do was be honest with me. Since you chose not to take
that path, I’m remanding you into the custody of Captain Owens until your board
of inquiry is completed, and I’m going to convene a general court-martial for
you for failure to obey my lawful orders in a combat situation. I should have
you shot, but there has been enough killing over the last twenty-four hours.
You are dismissed. Report to Captain Owens. He will see to accommodations for
you."
As he turned to go, he asked, "What about my charges against Captain Denson?"
"As your superior officer, and having court-martial jurisdiction over this
area of operation, I held office hours on the good captain. What his punishment
is does not concern you."
As Cashdollar closed the door behind himself, Susan thought, [Stupid
bastard. You hate me so much you just threw your retirement out the window.]
Susan didn't have to wait long for the other captains to make their
appearance. She had them come in as a group. Her first action was to personally
apologize to Captain Harper for almost destroying her ship and killing a number
of her crew. She showed them the recording showing what she and her CIC crew
saw as they exited hyperspace and commenced their final attack on the Drakh
dreadnought. Captain Harper commented after watching the recording, "You
couldn't even see us until the damage had already been done. It was an
accident, General Ivanova. Just a damned deadly, but honest accident. I also
appreciate that you took the time to record personal messages for next of kin
of those of my crew that were lost in this accident."
"It took a long time, Captain Harper, but I feel I owe that much to their
families and next of kin," replied Susan.
"What else do you can we do for you General Ivanova?" asked Captain Harper.
"General Marsh wants all of you to make depositions, for his investigators
to use as guides in their search for evidence to be used by the board of
inquiry that is being convened to examine yesterday's events. All I ask is that
you be honest and forthright. Keep in mind that the destruction of the three
omegas isn't part of the inquiry. We feel that even if Ares had been here and
at general quarters, the Drakh would still have destroyed those ships. So they
are a non-issue. If you haven't had breakfast, yet, I'll have something rustled
up for you. I've finished most of what I needed to do, except for the final
report on yesterday's events. I feel like taking a final walk through the ship.
I turned her over to Captain Owens yesterday evening." She then rang her
service bell and instructed Mary to take care of her guests and made a call to
Leftcourt to inform him that the captains he wanted to interview were in her
stateroom. Leftcourt asked her to make arrangements to get him and her back to
Earth.
********************************
Susan was finishing up her walk with a visit to hanger bays one and two. It
had been some time since she had seen this many wounded bodies in one place.
Even the attack on the Zeus hadn't resulted in a third of the number of
casualties she was seeing here. She was pleased to see Minbari and human
doctors working over wounded personnel. It reminded her of how far they had
come in the last ten years or so.
As she watched the doctors she became aware of someone standing at her side.
She turned her head and was greeted by the grim face of her former XO. "Hello,
Pat. What can I do for you?"
Remaining silent for a minute, he finally replied, "General Leftcourt is
wanting to leave sometime today, if that's possible. He said you'd handle the
transportation arrangements."
"So, now I'm the social secretary. I'll see what I can do. Have you told him
that I have a lunch date with the commander of the war cruiser?"
"No. I'm leaving that to you. Aren’t you afraid he might be jealous?"
Susan smiled and replied, "That's not my problem. What is my problem is
assembling the final report on this fiasco. I'm afraid I'm going to need some
help from you to do that. I have most of what I need, but the data concerning
these casualties isn't going to be complete for several days. I'll submit the
report and note that the casualty data will be submitted under separate
correspondence (SEPCOR). I'm also going to need information on the Minbari
doctors and their efforts. I want to submit letters of appreciation for all
their efforts on behalf of the ranger and human patients. I heard we would’ve
lost many more than we did if they hadn't arrived with better equipment and
techniques."
"That's not a rumor, General. It's what I learned from Captain Harris less
than thirty minutes ago. She hasn't been to bed since she got up yesterday
morning. She, her staff, and the doctors sent up from Mars, have been up to
their asses in bloody bodies for the entire time since we began receiving the
wounded yesterday. It is hard to believe that we have lost so few. They deserve
recognition."
"I intend to see that they get it, Pat. I want you to write up the
preliminary recommendations using all information available, including
evaluations and recommendations of Doctor Harris. I’ll smooth them out and add
my twenty credits worth to them. I'm going to leave you copies of
recommendations and evaluations that I have already written. You can review
them and send them to me through headquarters."
"My other reason for being here is to inform you that a shuttle from Mars is
about to land, and it has visitors for you."
Susan looked puzzled as she asked, "Visitors? I'm not expecting visitors."
With Owens at her side, Susan walked up to the area set up to receive
incoming personnel and said to the watch, "I was told that I have visitors down
here, sergeant."
"Their shuttle is coming in now, general. It will be a minute or so before
they can debark. Captain Owens, I have notified the medical personnel that
there are more blood supplies on this shuttle."
"How many units of blood have we received from Mars, sergeant?"
"I'm not sure without checking the logs, captain, but it's been a lot. They
went through massive amounts while they were getting some of the injured
stabilized. We would have not been able to pull that much blood if we bled
everyone on the ship. Some of the rare types were extremely critical. Rumor has
it that they made a massive effort on Mars to get enough of some of the rare
types and we still lost a couple because of shortages."
Unnoticed by Susan, Owens and the sergeant, three individuals had approached
the check in area. "It's not a rumor, sergeant. We had to twist the hell out of
some arms to get that blood," said an individual, who's voice Susan immediately
recognized.
"Garibaldi! What’re you doing here?"
"I just thought you should meet someone who might be useful in the future."
"Pat Owens, this is Michael Garibaldi, the fellow who was going to give you
a job on Mars. Michael, this is Captain Patrick Owens. He was shanghaied into
serving fourteen months as the commanding officer of the Ares. He’s taking her
through her yard overhaul period."
Garibaldi shook hands with Owens, and said, "This gentleman is my chief cook
and bottle washer and this other distinguished gentleman is the present
President of the Mars Colony. The younger man offered his hand to Owens. "I'm
Robert Bryson, chief cook and bottle washer of Edgar Industries. Turning to
face Susan, he said, "You must be the Ivanova he’s always talking about. Is it
true that you once issued a shoot-on-sight order for him during the civil war?"
Noting that Bryson had not offered to shake hands with her, she
replied, "Yes."
Bryson offered her his hand, "I'm honored to meet someone who knows the real
Michael Garibaldi, warts and all."
Susan took the offered hand, tentatively. It was obvious she was
uncomfortable. The other man shook her hand and said, "My name is Paul Waters,
general. I'm President of the Mars Colony. I've been impressed with all the
dealings with your people. You have a really professional outfit up here."
"I like to think that my people are competent, Mister Waters."
"We aren't intruding, are we Susan?" asked Garibaldi.
"Not at all Michael. I think we should vacate this area, before we do. If
you gentlemen - that term doesn't include you, Michael - will follow me, I'll
take you to the flag mess. We can sit there and talk, out of the working
stiff's way. You can also meet the CJCS since he’s still here."
"You really did have all the heavy hardware on board." stated Garibaldi.
"Yes. I did. This may prove to be an opportune time for you President
Waters. I have a lunch date with the commander of the war cruiser parked off my
forward port quarter. If I can wrangle it, would you like to accompany me?"
Waters looked at Bryson and Garibaldi. "I thought this was supposed to be a
short visit to say hello in person, Michael?"
"It is. I damn sure didn't plan anything like this, even if I could,"
replied Michael.
"Don't get upset gentlemen. The commander of the Minbari ship will probably
say no, anyway."
"It's just that I'm not prepared," said Waters.
"Look at it this way, Mister President. A Minbari friend of mine insists
that the universe puts us where we’re most needed. Maybe it was meant to be.
After all, it won't be formal, and no treaties are being negotiated or anything
like that, besides the only Minbari ship's commander I ever had a meal with
before went gaga over my friend Lyta Alexander," commented Susan.
**********************************
It the Ares' flag mess:
"That's the whole story, General Leftcourt. I have this lunch date and I'm
not sure what to do with it, said Susan.
The communications system chirped. "Accept," said Owens.
The screen logo shifted to show the image of a distinguished Minbari male of
indistinguishable age. The image said, "I am Shai Alyt Prathen commanding
officer of the Minbari war cruiser Valen's Path. I wish to address General
Susan Ivanova."
Susan moved into the video pickup's field of view. "How may I be of service,
Shai Alyt Prathen?"
"I issued a lunch invitation to you through Captain Owens early this
morning. I have heard nothing in reply."
"I have been busy ,Shai Alyt. Is this a formal or informal invitation?"
"Informal of course. It intrigues me that a relatively unknown human female
could bring such pressure to bear on us through Ambassador Delenn, or maybe I
should say Vice-president." Prathen's words were being translated from Minbari,
but the Minbari phrases could be heard in the background. Susan had studied
very hard and was able to understand most of what he had said, even before it
was translated.
"I'm sorry for any pressure that Delenn caused to be brought to bear on you.
For your information, I never requested any help from your people. However, I
and my medical staff appreciate the assistance that you have provided. I’m told
that our losses and those of the rangers would have been considerably higher if
it weren't for your assistance. For that we are in your debt."
Prathen studied what he was seeing on his display. He asked, "Who are your
associates?"
Susan had each one step forward and identify themselves. Prathen's image
became studious. "Since it is an informal lunch, maybe your associates would
like to accompany you. They are welcome to do so."
Susan looked at the others in the room; all nodded acceptance. "They accept
your hospitality, Shai Alyt Prathen. There will be seven of us."
"I will have Whitestar 71's shuttle be at your ship at 1200 hours your time,
if that is acceptable."
"It is, Shai Alyt," answered Susan, then the circuit was broken.
"You all have been invited to lunch, gentlemen. I suggest we muster in
hanger bay one at 1145 hours."
"Susan, I would like to see your reports," said Leftcourt. She handed him
several data crystals.
"Those contain reports, recommendations, evaluations and even the material I
recorded for inclusion in the messages to family members of the killed in
action. I have not included a final report on the medical situation because it
is still fluid. I’ll submit that data when it is completed."
"If you all don't mind, I have an obligation to read what she wrote. Manuel,
you and Arthur stay. You can review this with me," said Leftcourt.
*****************************
1230 hours aboard the Valen's Path:
"Welcome aboard the Valen's Path, gentlemen," said the Minbari that had met
Susan and her companions. Shai Alyt Sheraun was with them. "Our commanding
officer will be along in a few minutes. I will be acting as your interpreter
while you are aboard the ship."
Susan said nothing, but her erratic telepathic abilities revealed that the
guide was lying about the shai alyt. This lowered her opinion of the shai alyt
a full notch. He had known who his guests were and when they were arriving, and
this was a snub. However, given that he was warrior caste, she hadn't really
expected anything different. She looked at Sheraun and could see disappointment
in his eyes. She followed their interpreter as he led them from the hanger bay.
As they followed their guide down the wide passageway, they were met by Shai
Alyt Prathen at a passageway cross-corridor. He spoke in Minbari and their
guide translated, "My apologies for not meeting you, but something needed my
attention at the last minute."
Susan looked at Sheraun who was looking at her. She said nothing even though
she mentally sensed that the shai alyt was lying, and the expression on her
face even before the shai alyt's last words were translated, left no doubt in
Sheraun's mind that Susan Ivanova could understand Minbari. He didn't know how
extensive her knowledge of Minbari was, but he knew that she had a phenomenal
memory. Shai Alyt Prathen was going to get a rude surprise before this lunch
date was over.
Susan and her group were given a tour of the ship, with emphasis being placed
on its superiority of technology. The tour had lasted almost an hour. Finally
they arrived at what was obviously a dining hall. The lunch was eaten in
silence for the most part. The attitude of Shai Alyt Prathen and his crew was
that of superiority. Susan and her group had suffered the indignity in good
humor, even smiling sometimes. It was just after they had finished eating that
Shai Alyt Prathen inquired about the denn'bok that Susan wore attached to a
holster of sorts on her belt.
"It was given to me by a ranger just before he died," answered Susan to the
shai alyt's inquiry.
"Do you know how to use it properly?" translated their guide.
"I know enough to open it without doing major harm to myself," she replied.
"Have you ever fought anyone with it?" translated their guide.
Susan could see where this was leading; the shai alyt's thoughts were
painfully obvious, so she preempted him by asking, "Do you have anyone who
could spar with me. It would help me learn to use the device better." She had
been watching Shai Alyt Prathen closely, and had concluded that he could, in
fact, speak Earth English, or at least he understood it. She smiled at him.
Prathen could see that the smile held only contempt. He was confused.
"Do you have anyone aboard who is trained in hand-to-hand combat?" asked
Susan.
This statement caused Leftcourt to look at her and ask, "What are you
thinking about, Susan?"
"I see no reason why I shouldn't enjoy this little lunch date, general," she
replied.
Garibaldi and Bryson had said almost nothing for the whole time they had
been aboard the ship. Garibaldi knew damned good and well that Susan was hell
on wheels in a bar fight, but this would be different. "Susan, is this a good
idea?"
"I think it is a very good, Michael. In fact, guide, tell the shai alyt that
I challenge him to a no-holds-barred match of hand-to-hand combat. He is much
larger than I am and is also a male. Tell him that I don't think he can defeat
a human female, that being me. You tell him, or I will."
The expression on the Minbari shai alyt's face told everyone in her group
that she had scored a bulls-eye. She now had no doubts, whatsoever, that he
understood Earth English, perfectly. She sat waiting expectantly for his reply.
"It is an unworthy challenge, therefore I decline," translated the guide.
"I didn't think you warrior caste types had any balls where a fair challenge
and level playing field were involved. However, I’ll even stipulate that he can
use a denn'bok, and I will compete unarmed. Certainly, that must be enough of
an advantage for him."
The way Shai Alyt Prathen's expression clouded to one of anger made Susan's
heart sing. She was confident that he had, in his arrogance, probably never
learned any fighting styles except his beloved Minbari ones. She had learned
enough in her sparring with Minbari rangers to know that Minbari fighting
styles had some gaps in their effectiveness. She also knew that if he were
stupid enough to accept her challenge, she would beat him half to death before
they could stop her.
Her hopes were dashed when he vehemently refused her challenge. She sneered
and looked at Sheraun. "You people and your superiority crap make me sick. I'm
ready to leave. This has been a wasted trip. Also, I withdraw my former offer
of thanks for providing the medical team to help my medical staff. I had
nothing to do with your being ordered by the Grey Council to transport them
here then support their efforts. If you had your way, all the wounded could
die, rangers and earthers alike." Susan, then got up from her chair and
said, "Take us back to the shuttle. I have better things to do that kill time
around here."
The generals, Garibaldi, Bryson and President Waters were left gaping
speechless at Susan's verbal blast. Shai Alyt Prathen said nothing for a
moment. Then he arose, and instructed the guide to return the group to the
hangar bay.
On the way back to the shuttle, Susan addressed Sheraun, "Since the shai
alyt is gone, let me apologize for what I said about Minbari in general back
there." She said this too low for the guide to overhear.
"I never took it personally, Susan. Remember, my life's love is your best
friend. I think I know you well enough to know when you are baiting someone. I
think you might even have been successful," replied Sheraun.
Garibaldi dropped back and walked beside Susan. "What in hell are you trying
to do, Susan?"
"I was hoping to piss Prathen off enough to get him to fight me. It appears
that he’s too smart for that."
"He could hurt you very badly."
"I really don't think so, Michael. Besides, you don't know what I've been
doing for the last five or six years. Marcus and his ranger buddies spent a
great deal of time teaching me the fighting techniques used by the rangers."
"Yeh, but that doesn't make you qualified to take on a trained Minbari
warrior caste male, who's been doing it all his life."
"That's just the point, Michael. He's been doing the same things all his
life. Meanwhile, I have become very proficient in the martial arts of a more
than a dozen different races. Learning how to fight is how I have been able to
keep my mind off Marcus all these years, and I'm very good at it, Michael."
"Her marine colonel swears by her abilities, Mister Garibaldi," added
Sheraun.
"You just missed Lyta, Susan. She was on Mars less than a week ago. She went
to Earth with Robert for a couple of days."
Garibaldi noticed Sheraun perk up at the mention of Lyta's name.
"She told me in hyperspace while I was in transit back to Earth that she was
headed this way. That's the last I heard from her. I had to go destroy a space
station and some ships, replied Susan."
"How did she do that?" asked Sheraun.
Susan tapped her head. "Remember, she is an extremely powerful telepath."
"As if I'm ever likely to forget. After all, she's been inside my mind
several times. She knows me better than I do," responded Garibaldi.
Sheraun and Susan laughed. Bryson overheard these last few statements, and
offered, "Don't forget her little trick of jumping to hyperspace without the
benefit of jump engines."
"You have to give up the stuff you've been snorting, Bob," chided Garibaldi.
This was the first he had heard of that particular little trick, but he didn't
doubt that she could do it. Bob wasn't one to exaggerate things like that.
"Next thing you guys will be telling me is that she can bring people back
from the dead," chuckled Susan. She didn't see the look of alarm on Garibaldi's
face.
"Let me guess. You people will be nominating her for God next, right?" asked
Sanchez, after overhearing part of the conversation.
The Minbari guide was listening to all of this and was completely baffled.
He had never heard of Lyta, whoever she was, but she sounded interesting. If
that was who Sheraun was pursuing, it made some sense, even if she was human.
"I don't think that's an elective office, General Sanchez," replied Susan.
The three generals exchanged puzzled looks with one another. All of them had
met and interacted with the Alexander woman. There had been nothing about her
to indicate that she was anything but a very powerful telepath, and that was
only a thought for Marsh and Sanchez because of her midnight demonstration.
Susan was already finishing up the medical portion of the reports in her
mind, except for the numbers of the various categories of wounded and dead. She
hadn't noticed that they had just entered the hangar bay. She wasn't really
surprised to see Shai Alyt Prathen there with several Minbari bodyguards. She
looked at him and concentrated. Then she let a little smile purse her lips. It
was a very cold smile, and it wasn't missed by Shai Alyt Prathen. He had the
irrational idea that this was exactly what she had wanted just after lunch.
"Ah, Shai Alyt Prathen, I'm so glad you haven't disappointed me. Which one
of these young men's lives are you going to sacrifice on the alter of your
ego?" asked Susan in a very taunting voice. Her associates were mortified.
"Susan, you can't do this!" snapped Leftcourt.
"The only way to stop me, general, is to get between me and them. Take my
word for it, you really don't want to go there."
Leftcourt started to say more, but Sanchez whispered, "Let it be, Tom. Don't
crowd her style."
Susan strode across the hangar bay and stopped in front of Shai Alyt
Prathen. "Which one is it to be. I'm telling you now, Shai Alyt, I intend to
kill whoever you select as my opponent. If I have to fight, only one of us will
live to tell about it. Do you understand?"
"You wanted the fight, now you have it," replied Prathen.
"I need ten minutes to warm-up. While I warm up, you should make sure that
the man you chose knows that this isn't a sparring match."
Susan proceeded to hurry through warm-up exercises and a few minutes
stretching. Prathen watched her and was impressed with her grace and
flexibility. She would be fighting someone ten standard years her junior. It
was an uneven match, and he wasn't prepared for her tossing her denn'bok to one
of her associates, Garibaldi, if he remembered the names correctly.
Susan turned to the surprised shai alyt and said, "I plan to take your man's
weapon from him, and kill him with it, that is if you have no objection, Shai
Alyt Prathen."
Prathen nodded to one of the young men who then stepped forward, extending
his fighting pike as he did. He went through a few basic moves to demonstrate
what a Minbari could with it. Susan watched every move he made very closely,
noting his eye movements and everything else about him as he moved.
The young man warmed up with the weapon for all of five minutes. Susan's
associates were choked with apprehension and outright fear for her safety after
watching the demonstration.
With the exercises over, Susan and the young man took up stances just over
two meters apart. Prathen signaled for them to start.
The young man made a couple of feigns at Susan, but she easily dodged them.
In a flash he made a serious swing for her head. Susan ducked and grabbed the
pike. She closed her left hand over the very center of the weapon and triggered
its closing mechanism. Before the young man could respond to the completely
unexpected move, Susan moved her hand and triggered the weapon to extend. The
end of the pike struck the young man in the head just above the center of his
eyes. He was knocked senseless. Susan twirled the pike and smashed him in the
left temple as hard as she could. She was sickened by the sound of breaking
bone. The young man fell limply to the floor, bleeding profusely from both
injuries.
Susan stood over him and aimed the end of the pike toward his head and
raised it to strike a killing blow. In perfect Minbari, she said, "You can
apologize for your rude behavior toward me and my friends, and you can do it in
Earth English. I know you can understand it, and I suspect that you also speak
it. You have five standard seconds, or I will crush this man's skull. If you
think I won't do it, just wait six seconds. It's your call, Shai Alyt Prathen.
Time starts now."
Prathen looked Susan in the eyes, and what he saw there actually chilled
him. He knew she would kill his crewman to make a point. He had called her
bluff, and she had a better hand. She had spoken in Minbari, so his men all
knew what she had said. She was full of surprises. He had never thought about
the denn'bok's opening and closing mechanism being a major flaw. She had been
correct. Their arrogance had already cost him the services of his best denn'bok
fighter. If he didn't apologize, it would cause his death. He looked at the
other humans then back at her. It was obvious who the true leader amongst them
was.
In almost perfect Earth English, Shai Alyt Prathen said, "I and my crew have
behaved badly toward all of you today. Our actions were not honorable and do
not reflect well on us. Your General Ivanova has made me see the error in this.
I hope to be able to meet with you again under different circumstances in the
future."
Susan closed the pike and rejoined her associates. Shai Alyt Prathen
asked, "About his pike?"
Susan turned at his call. Looking somewhat thoughtful, she tossed it to
him. "I was going to keep it as a souvenir, but it really isn't appropriate."
Then she turned and joined her associates boarding the shuttle.
As the shuttle was being moved out of the immediate area, Shai Alyt Prathen
turned to his crewmen and said, "Somehow, she cheated. There is no way that a
human female could defeat an accomplished warrior, the way she did here. She
will pay for her skullduggery." After his statement, he stalked off toward the
hangar bay exit. The crewmen looked at one another, but no one said anything.
They had seen no evidence of deceit or cheating, and like it or not, the human
female had defeated their best denn'bok fighter.
******************************
In the shuttle on the return flight to Ares:
"What in God's name did you think you were doing!" exclaimed Leftcourt.
"I was using effective communications techniques on a hard-headed Minbari
war cruiser captain. You're too in awe of the Minbari, general. They're not
unbeatable. Take away their technology, and they’re just another humanoid life
form, nothing more. Under the conditions I used, several of our marines could
have done the same thing. Besides, I'm proficient in more than a dozen alien
forms of martial arts and other close combat techniques, with and without
weapons. The Minbari youngster never had a chance," noted Susan.
Susan stiffened in her seat and got a faraway look in her eyes. A few
moments later she said, Sheraun! Get us back to the Ares ASAP! Get me CIC on
the comm. system! We're in grave danger!"
A minute later, Susan was in the shuttle cockpit with Sheraun looking at the
image of her Duty Command Duty Officer (CDO).
"Lieutenant Ellis, we have a problem. You have let the Ares drift too close
to the other ships in the vicinity. I want you to start using thrusters to move
the Ares well away from the other ships. We have all the wounded we're going to
receive already on board. Get Lieutenant Breen up to CIC on the double. I need
someone with more experience running the show."
"But General Ivanova, we have," started Ellis.
Susan cut him off short. "Mister Ellis, I gave you two orders. They are not
open for discussion. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir, general."
"You better contact your ship, Sheraun. I need you to get Delenn on the horn
ASAP. Can you encrypt your transmissions from the shuttle?"
"Of course," he replied looking puzzled. "Why, do you think we will be
attacked?"
"You won't, but if you're in the line of fire... as for how I know, my
telepathic ability is rearing its ugly head. I can hear the shai alyt talking
to his second in command. His second has doubts about his shai alyt's
intentions, but being a good warrior caste member, he won't outright object."
Susan returned to the passenger compartment where she was met with faces full
of questions.
"Please explain the danger we're in, Susan?" requested Leftcourt.
"I was reading the Minbari shai alyt's surface thoughts all during our
visit. What he was saying wasn't congruent with what he was thinking. The funny
thing is that I'm finding that people's thoughts are as individual as their
voices, maybe even more so. I'm hearing his thoughts now. His feelings are very
strong. He is livid at the humiliation he perceives that he received from the
denn'bok incident. He is furious for being forced by the Grey Council to
transport the doctors here. He is irrational, and his anger is raging. I hope
we get back to the Ares before he starts shooting. He is going to attack the
Ares. So, I'm having Lieutenant Breen called up to take over CIC until I get
back. I think I can communicate with him telepathically. If so, I can bring
Ares to condition one without anyone being the wiser, except those directly
concerned."
"You’re making a mountain of assumptions, Susan. And, you're doing it with
out a shred of evidence," noted Garibaldi.
"I almost forgot that you don't trust telepaths. I trust my gut instincts,
and what my mind knows is true, Michael. If I do this wrong, I could start an
interstellar war. So, I'm having Sheraun contact Delenn. I'm going to try and
convince her to contact the Grey Council. I want them to be witness to what
transpires here today. Unless Shai Alyt Prathen jams all communications going
in and out of the area, we should be able to pull that off. I don't think his
one ship can jam everything in the area. Even Minbari transmitter technology is
subject to the inverse square of the distance limitations for RF transmissions."
"You keep saying "I", Susan," commented Sanchez.
"That's exactly what I mean, too. I'm going to have to ask all of you
gentlemen to trust me on this. I’ll be the sole person responsible for whatever
consequences are attached to what transpires between the Ares and Valen's Path.
For that reason, I’m taking command of the Ares, Captain Owens, until further
notice. I would suggest that you all go along with me, because you can't stop
me."
General Leftcourt said, "You're taking an awful lot for granted, Susan."
"Yes sir, I am. However, if what I have in mind works, we won't have to
destroy their ship, and kill maybe a thousand innocent Minbari, not to mention
the damage or the casualties we’ll suffer. I'm going to supply all of you
general staff officers with plausible deniability."
"You seem damned sure of your ability against a war cruiser, Susan,"
commented Garibaldi.
"Did you see the Drakh ship that was missing its front half as you
approached the Ares?"
"I was meaning to ask about that. What happened to it?"
"What happened was a fifteen second burst from the Ares forward main
batteries at a range of just over thirty-thousand kilometers."
Bryson whistled, then asked, "Where did we get weapons like that?"
"We didn't," answered Sanchez. "They're a result of Susan and her crew not
having enough to keep them busy on a long deployment."
"Mother of God," said Garibaldi. "At the range the ships are apart now,
you’ll vaporize him before he knows what hit him. How are you going to track
him through his cloaking system?"
Susan pointed at her eye and answered, "Mark-one eyeball, Michael. We have
learned a bunch of new tricks. That's why I want my crack CIC crew on station.
They really cook when the weapons fire gets intense."
"Even with that much firepower, how do you propose to defeat him without
destroying his ship?" asked Bryson.
"You'll just have to watch and learn, Mister Bryson. There is one very
important thing to remember. I'll know what he's going to do, even before he
issues the order."
"Susan used to be one hell of a bare-knuckles bar brawler," commented
Garibaldi.
"I still am, Michael. It's just that I've learned a whole bunch of new
tricks. Shai Alyt Prathen is going to learn about some of them before too long.
That is, if he doesn't blow us away before we get back to the Ares. So far, I
don't sense him planning to do that. However, he is voicing some other thoughts
that would make very interesting reading, if they could be put into print. If
we live long enough, I'll tell you about them later."
"Susan, I have your Mister Breen on the communications system," Sheraun
spoke loudly back toward the passenger compartment.
"While I speak with Lieutenant Breen, I want all of you to do me a favor.
Please think of a black ball. I mean concentrate on a black ball. It will make
it easier to ignore your thoughts while I'm trying to hear his."
As Susan seated herself in the pilots compartment, Sheraun said, I’ve put us
on autopilot. I will be meditating."
Susan looked at him. He said, "Some of my religious caste rangers finally
taught me how to do it properly."
Back in the passenger compartment, Sanchez was looking around at his fellow
passengers. "We've never had anyone like her before, a telepathic general. How
are we going to handle her, Tom?"
"We'll have to discuss that after this is all over. Right now, I'm inclined
to let her drive the bus. She has an edge that only she knows how to exploit.
We may have to rethink some of our procedures. I'd damn sure hate to face her
in battle because it would be a losing proposition," commented Leftcourt.
"If you fellows think she would be a nasty opponent in a battle, you haven't
seen anything yet. Her friend Lyta Alexander is bad in the worst way. I watched
her send a pair of thunderbolt fighters back into the hanger bay of the ship
that launched them at over seventy-thousand KPH. How would you like to face an
opponent that could make your own people kill you?" Asked Bryson
The men all considered one another. Then Marsh said, "You fellows are real
pessimists. Think of the idea that they're on our side. Then it doesn't seem so
depressing. After all, the last time I checked, Susan still worked for us."
Susan had finished giving Breen instructions and turned to Sheraun. "You and
I need to discuss strategy, Sheraun."
Blinking his eyes and looking at her, he asked, "What do you have in mind?"
Without missing a beat she said, "You and I are going to prevent a possible
war."
*****************************************
Onboard the Valen's Way:
"Shai Alyt Prathen," asked his alyt as they left the hanger bay, "What do
you really think of the human female?"
"It is not important, Alyt Devro. They will not exist when the day is done."
"I don't understand, Shai Alyt Prathen? Why is this to be?"
"She is a favored one of the Starkiller. She also commands the pride of the
Earth Alliance fleet. I swore vengeance on the Starkiller after I learned the
identity of the one who destroyed the Black Star. I can't kill him, so I will
settle for someone who means very much to him, his protégé. The pride of the
Earth Alliance fleet will be a worthwhile substitute for vengeance. You may not
know that my father was Alyt of the Black Star when she was destroyed by the
earther's cowardly act."
Alyt Devro was stunned by the statements. Surely his Shai Alyt could see
that this could start a war with the Earth Alliance. "This could lead to war
with the Earth Alliance, Shai Alyt."
The look of pure hatred that he received from his commander left no doubt in
Devro's mind that this had been one of the considerations in Shai Alyt
Prathen's decision to take the action he was presently contemplating. "When
shall we start the attack?"
"I want to let them get comfortable with us being in a high state of
readiness with our weapons and drive systems. Then we will hit them when they
are least expecting it. I think during the return of our doctors will be a good
time."
"Won't that put our medical personnel in danger?"
"It is of no consequence. They are only Religious Caste. This will be their
chance to do something really useful."
Prathen's disdain for their doctors shocked Devro, but he let none of his
emotions show on his face. Instead he changed the subject a bit. "Will the crew
be privy to our plans?"
"No. They obey orders. We will begin opening the distance between us and the
earthers. If they inquire, we tell them we don't want all the ships bunched up
together. It invites attack."
"You are assuming the female will not question our actions. She does not
impress me as being a fool, Shai Alyt."
"She is not their senior officer present, Alyt Devro. That captain will be
in command of the destroyer. The other officers and she will be occupied with
their inquiry into the other ships' actions during the recent attack. They will
not even notice us. You give them too much credit."
"It is as you say. She is not in command, therefore, we can ignore her." He
said it because it was expected of him, but he personally felt that to ignore
her was a very bad mistake. She had been one step ahead of Shai Alyt Prathen
the whole time she was aboard his ship. He saw no reason for her to suddenly
become terminally stupid. He wondered who, if anyone, had sanctioned his Shai
Alyt's actions. His training would prevent him from questioning their actions
until it was too late to change the results of them.
******************************
Susan and her associates had been met in hanger bay one by a contingent of
ten security personnel and escorted to the flag mess. Awaiting them inside of
the flag mess were the other generals. "I regret this gentlemen, but I must
insist that you remain in the flag mess, while Sheraun and I try to prevent an
interstellar war. You’ll be able to watch everything on the communications
monitor system."
"What you mean is that we are under house arrest!" commented General
Fitzgerald, testily.
"I prefer to think of it as protective custody, General Fitzgerald."
"You’re going to have a great deal to answer for after this is all over,
Susan," said Leftcourt.
"It goes with the territory, General Leftcourt. However, the situation
dictates my course of action. You gentlemen please just relax and let me and
Sheraun take the heat. The instructions to my security people were that they
had to get you in here without using any force. Those are their orders for
keeping you here. They aren't allowed to use force, but they can flood the
space with tranquilizer gas, if it becomes necessary. So, please don't try to
leave. That goes double for you, Michael. You give my people reason to use the
gas, and I will kick your ass when you wake up, assuming we survive the
upcoming situation." Turning her back on them she continued, "Come on Sheraun.
We have work to do."
***************************
After the flag mess door was closed and locked, Bryson asked, "Are you
gentlemen going to just sit here and do nothing?"
Sanchez looked at him and asked, "Just what do you have in mind, Mister
Bryson?"
"Those are Earthforce marines guarding the door. I can't believe they won't
follow orders from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
"Shows how much you don't understand the military, Bob," said
Garibaldi. "Those are her troops. They won't hurt any of us, but they will damn
sure gas us to prevent our escape. Up until now, she hasn't given them a
patently illegal order. She said this was protective custody. She can legally
hold us if she truly thinks we are in danger. She will have to answer for it
later, but for now, we stay here and watch the communications panel displays."
"Mister Garibaldi is correct," added Marsh. "So far she hasn't done anything
illegal. Also, she has given orders that we are not to be harmed in any manner.
I don't know why she is doing this, but I'm sure she has a good reason, or at
least she thinks she does, and we do pay her to use her best judgment in
difficult situations."
"General Marsh is correct. We wait and see how this plays out. She has been
correct in her actions up until now. I don't understand her reasoning, but I
don't have all the facts," stated Leftcourt.
"It's not as if we had any choice," groused Fitzgerald.
"All of you are missing the most obvious fact of all, gentlemen," noted
Owens.
"Pray tell, what is that, Captain?" asked Fitzgerald, condescendingly.
"Because we are being held prisoner here, we are all absolved of any
responsibility for whatever she does. Like she said, we all have plausible
deniability," replied Owens.
"That much is a legal fact, gentlemen," added Marsh.
*********************************
In CIC on the Ares:
"Gents, give me your undivided attention!" ordered Ivanova.
"General, we have the IA vice-president on the communications system," said
her communications watch.
The image of Delenn looked out of the display at both Ivanova and
Sheraun. "What may I do for you, Susan? Hello, Shai Alyt Sheraun."
Sheraun bowed his head slightly and replied, "Greetings, Entil'zah Delenn."
"I'm going to transfer tactical command of the Ares to Shai Alyt Sheraun who
is the senior IA officer in the area," answered Susan.
In the display, John Sheridan walked up behind his wife. "What is going on,
Delenn?"
"John, I'm going to transfer tactical command of the Ares to Shai Alyt
Sheraun."
Realizing that something serious was afoot, John Sheridan replied, "Are you
familiar with the parts of the IA-EA treaty that deal with that function?"
"I've been playing ambassador-at-large for almost two years, John. I'm
thoroughly familiar with the IA constitution and most of its treaties,
especially those that pertain to the league of aligned worlds, and the EA is
one of those entities," answered Susan.
"May I ask why?" asked John.
"I'm not latent anymore, John. I picked up on the shai alyt's thoughts while
we were visiting on the Valen's Path. He plans to destroy the Ares. If he does
that, he won't hesitate to finish off the damaged warlocks and maybe even the
damaged whitestars. I can't prove any of this, but my abilities are getting
better, and damned it, John, I'm going to trust my instincts. They've saved me
before, not to mention Babylon 5."
"What does this have to do with transferring tactical command of the Ares to
Sheraun?"
"After I do that, the Ares becomes part of the IA fleet. In that capacity,
its crew, under the command of Shai Alyt Sheraun, can engage the Valen's Path,
if that becomes necessary, and the EA is left out of the shooting match. It
becomes an IA action. Hopefully, we won't get to the shooting stage. I promise,
we won't fire the first shot."
"Susan, may I respectfully remind you that the Valen's Path is a fully
functional Sharlin class war cruiser?" queried Sheraun.
"I know," she acknowledged, "But if he shoots first, then he’s responsible
for whatever happens after that. We can survive his weapons fire long enough to
respond. However, he won't survive ours."
Sheridan looked out of the display at Sheraun. I suppose the two of you have
a plan?"
"Yes we do, Mister President."
"Then let's do it, Susan," said Sheridan.
Five minutes later the Ares was legally transferred to the IA fleet.
**************************
In the Ares' flag mess:
"My God. I don't believe it," said Fitzgerald.
"I do," answered Owens. "Gentlemen, she just redefined the box, then
promptly stepped outside of it again. She has just let all of you and the Earth
Alliance off the hook."
An unidentified general in the back of the group asked to no one in
particular, "With her abilities, why in God's name is she still in Earthforce?"
"Dedication to a purpose," replied Sanchez. "Dedication to a fault. We could
use more people with that fault."
*********************************
In Ares' CIC:
"Report, Mister Breen," ordered Sheraun.
"We have opened to about three hundred kilometers from the rest of the
ships, sir. The war cruiser has moved off about fifteen-hundred kilometers."
"Shai Alyt Sheraun, we have completed moving all our missiles and warheads
to the starboard side and are preparing to evacuate the unmanned port side
spaces," reported the SWC.
"Excellent. Mister Breen, use the engines and open out to five-thousand
kilometers from the war cruiser. It will let him know we are on to him. Keep
our port side to him. I'm trusting you, Susan, that the Ares can take the full
power of the war cruiser's weapons down her port side."
"He has to shoot through a number of meters of Shadow bio-armor and several
hundred meters of hull and non-volatile supplies to reach anything important
and then he has to shoot through at least ten more meters of bio-armor after
that. By that time, you can destroy him, if it becomes necessary. However, I
think that between us and your whitestars, he may decide it isn't worth it."
"I won't make that assumption, Susan," stated Sheraun.
"Actually, neither do I."
****************************
Onboard the Valen's Way:
"Shai Alyt Prathen, we have opened the distance between us and the Ares to
fifteen-hundred kilometers. It is also moving away from us."
"What is our status?" Queried Prathen.
"Shai Alyt, our engines are all on-line and at half power. Our weapons
systems are on-line and powered up. We are tracking the Ares, but have not
locked weapons at this time."
"Are they aware of our readiness?"
"No sir. Their reactors are on-line, but are operating at less than one-
third power. Their engines are at idle. Their weapons are in standby, and they
are only using maneuvering thrusters to open the distance between us. They are
apparently unaware of our intentions. I stand corrected Shai Alyt, they have
powered up their main drives and are rapidly opening the distance between us.
They are also keeping their port side toward us."
"Maybe they aren't so uninformed after all," noted Prathen.
"Sir. The whitestars have moved to bracket our stern."
"Are their weapons on-line?"
"No sir, but they are maintaining their positions at a distance of fifty
kilometers."
"I smell vermin," noted Prathen.
********************************
In IA headquarters on Minbar:
"John, I have initiated contact with the Grey Council," stated Delenn.
"I still have contact with the Ares. What orders shall we give Sheraun? I’m
inclined to have him destroy the war cruiser if it initiates hostilities. I
won't have our people fired on without a proportional response."
"What do you mean by 'our people'."
"I mean the rangers that are manning the whitestars and the Minbari doctors
and wounded rangers on the Ares. The humans are quite capable of fending for
themselves. If we don't call the shots, Susan will damn well call them, and she
isn't very likely to be magnanimous. This will be her fourth combat situation
within the last two months. That's a lot for peacetime, don't you think?"
"I have a representative of the Grey Council on the communications system.
Let me see how they view the situation."
"Enthi'zah Delenn. If I understand the situation correctly, you are under
the impression that Shai Alyt Prathen intends to initiate hostilities with the
humans by destroying the Ares."
"Satai Kelovr, that is exactly what I believe."
"What is the source of this enlightenment?"
"General Susan Ivanova of the Earthforce, who is presently aboard the Ares."
"I would inquire as to her source, but it won't be necessary. The word of a
human military leader hardly qualifies as reliable. If this is all you have,
this communication is a waste of time."
"Satai Kelvor, Susan and her senior officers were invited aboard the Valen's
Path earlier today. While that in itself proves nothing, it was during this
visit that Susan became aware of the shai alyt's feelings and plans. Before you
dismiss this, I would advise you to consider that General Susan Ivanova is a
telepath. If you wish not to believe her that is your business, but be advised
that the Ares has been legally transferred to the IA fleet and is presently
under the command of Shai Alyt Sheraun. His orders are to do nothing unless
Valen's Path fires upon the ships presently in orbit around Mars. If that
happens, he has been ordered to destroy the Valen's Path with no mercy. Shai
Alyt Prathen and his crew will be destroyed with no chance of surrender. I
strongly suggest that you not dismiss my communication. If you do so, the fate
of the Valen's Path and her crew will be entirely your responsibility. I will
be waiting for further communication from the Grey Council after you conduct
your deliberations and make your decision. I strongly suggest that you not
delay. Shai Alyt Prathen may render your involvement moot."
After the display returned to the IA emblem, John looked at Delenn and
said, "In Valen's name, you drive one hell of a hard bargain."
"I meant every word I said, John. A great many lives turn on what the Grey
Council does or does not do. I won't tie Sheraun's hands in responding to this
situation."
"But you didn't give him any such orders."
"You should read the "Standard Operational Procedures Manual" for ranger
operations sometime. Unless otherwise directed, all rangers are ordered to use
all methods and measures necessary to bring hostilities directed at IA
personnel and property to a quick closure with the lowest possible loss of IA
lives. The quick and ruthless destruction of the war cruiser comes under that
heading, and the Grey Council knows this."
"I wonder if Susan knew this when she turned the Ares over to us?"
"You can rest assured that she did. As she said, during her long deployment
she has made it her business to learn as much about the treaties between all
the IA worlds, and I assume as much as possible about those worlds not yet a
part of the IA. As much as she says she hates politics, she would make one hell
of a diplomat, John."
********************************
Onboard the Valen's Path:
"Shai Alyt Prathen, you have a call coming in from the Grey Council. Shall I
put it on the display?" Asked his Alyt.
"I will take it in my ready room."
A few minutes later in Prathen's ready room. "Shai Alyt Prathen, the Grey
Council has been informed that you intend to destroy the Earth destroyer Ares.
Is this true?"
"Satai Brenan, I believe you are of the worker caste. Why are you
questioning me about my intentions?"
"You did not answer my question, Shai Alyt Prathen."
"I don't recognize a worker's right to question me."
"Whether you do or not does not interest me or the council. However, an
attack on the Ares will constitute an attack on the Interstellar Alliance. The
Grey Council has been informed by the vice-president of the IA that the Ares
has been transferred to the IA fleet. It is presently under the command of Shai
Alyt Sheraun. Command of Whitestar 71 has fallen to his alyt. If you initiate
hostilities toward the Ares or any of the other ships presently in orbit around
the planet Mars, you will be destroyed without mercy. Those are the orders
issued to Shai Alyt Sheraun. His record in combat is one of distinction. That
distinction being the complete destruction of his adversaries. He does not take
prisoners, Shai Alyt Prathen."
"I will destroy the human lover, and then I will destroy the other humans
and their ships. Do not bother me with these communications again." With that
Prathen closed the channel.
**************************************
In IA headquarters on Minbar:
"I regret Entil'zah Delenn, but we were unsuccessful in reasoning with Shai
Alyt Prathen. He admitted that he intends to attack and destroy the Ares and
the other Earth ships as well. We believe that he also intends to destroy the
damaged whitestars. You have our unanimous consensus to order Shai Alyt Sheraun
to do whatever is necessary."
"I regret that there seem to be no other choices, Satai Kelvor."
"As do we, Entil'zah Delenn."
"Well, I guess the fat is in the fire, Delenn," commented her husband.
"Let's get a channel open to Sheraun. He needs to know what he is facing."
"I think he already knows. Susan has probably given him the whole picture."
**********************************
IN CIC aboard the Ares:
"I understand, Entil'zah Delenn. I will try to avoid destroying the Valen's
Path, but I will do whatever is necessary to resolve the situation. I will keep
the channel open so that you can observe our actions."
"You have been very quiet, Susan," said Sheraun.
"At the present time, Sheraun, I honestly can't think of anything
constructive to say. I can still read Shai Alyt Prathen's thoughts. He was
contacted by the Grey Council, but he blew them off. He’s hell bent on
destruction and he’s willing to get his crew killed in the process. If I didn't
know better, I'd say he's insane," replied Susan.
"With all due respect, Susan, I believe you may be correct. His actions make
no sense. He can't get a war started, and revenge just doesn't seem to be
enough. Maybe if we damage his ship enough, some of his crew may turn on him,
but I wouldn't bet on it. A warrior ship's crew has never mutinied on a shai
alyt since before the time of Valen."
"You have the Ares and three whitestars to work with. Show us what kind of
tactical commander you are."
"I will be pleased to comply, right after he fires the first shot. Whitestar
triad, as soon as the Valen's Path fires the first shot, destroy their engines."
The man shown on the display from Whitestar 71 replied, "It will be done
Shai Alyt Sheraun."
******************************
In Ares' flag mess:
"It looks like we’re going to be in the fight of our lives, gentlemen,"
noted Marsh, "and all we can do is sit and watch."
"I have to give her credit. She has covered all the bases. The EA is off the
hook and Shad Alyt Sheraun has permission to use whatever force is necessary to
get the job done. Susan wouldn't have given him command if she wasn't sure he
would use that permission," commented Bryson.
"I’ve always known Susan had big balls, but I wouldn't have guessed they
were this big," added Garibaldi.
"After her destruction of Clark's advanced destroyer fleet, I'm not
surprised by anything she does," commented Leftcourt. "That's why I want her in
positions of real power. She won't back down from anything or anyone, but when
she does, you can bet it's only because she has found a better way to get the
job done."
"There are going to be a lot more dead people around this area before this
day is over," noted Sanchez. No one disagreed with him.
******************************
IN CIC aboard the Ares:
"He's getting ready to give the order to fire, Sheraun," stated Susan.
"Mister Been, give him a view of our port side!" ordered Sheraun.
"Already being done, sir," responded Breen.
"Sheraun, here it comes!" said Susan.
*************************
End Part 13
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