From: "NEIL COLLINS" Subject: A Beginning With Hope Date: Sun, 30 Nov 97 02:55:56 UT Title: A Beginning With Hope By: Daniel Collins * * * * * * * * * * Continuing From Thin Ice, Wild Fire * * * * * * * * * * It is now the Earth year 2246, after several engagements with the Minbari, things are going downhill. The Omega class project is looking good though, as now 13 ships have been refitted, and none have been lost yet. The Minbari have continued to close in on the Earth Alliance, no matter how much protection there is, they always break through. Only two months ago was Galvor Colony under threat, now it is in the hands of the Minbari, this is the continuation to the story of the Earth Minbari War, where the year is 2246. * * * * * * * * * * > Protecting the Weakened Borders < The Earth Alliance, although in a weakened position, now is very hopeful of their new Omega class vessels. But the fact that Earthforce was building a fleet, didn't help the fact that there were still ships out there, on the front, fighting the Minbari. It was obvious who was winning. It's just hard to admit it. The Earth Alliance has lost several key locations along the border, Valorndon Core was a major base of operations, but the Minbari seized it immediately. Now is the time that Earthforce is thinking differently. Negotiations are being held between Earth, and a race only new to them... The EAS Lexington was ordered to this mission, to get off on a good start, they kept their weapons un armed and moved off into a realm of the strange. This place had rarely been entered by Earthforce, it was near the Alpha Centauran system, the races of the Centaur system had had their conflicts with these aliens too, but this race was worse off. The race was the Narn. The Lexington was a Nova class Dreadnought, it's orders were simple, open up trade negotiations with the Narn. Why trade in a war? was the main question, and the answer would soon be clear. The crew weren't prepared for the upcoming situation, but nevertheless, they were there. "Any sign of ships?" Captain Torrey asked. "Two vessels detected three point seven light years away. They're on an intercept course." Ensign Valdimyre replied. "Very good, keep me informed." "Aye, Sir." * * * * * * * * * * >Negotiations< "...in further news on ISN, the war with the Minbari has taken a somewhat 'different' turn as Earthforce sends a ship to the Narn Homeworld, the exact reasons are unknown, but as the fleet continues to get weakened, this could be our best hope." The Lexington continued to it's rendezvous point with the Narn ships, it comes to a stop, and waits. "The two ships will rendezvous in about three minutes." "Can you identify them?" Torrey asked. "Yes, they're Narn Dreadnoughts." "Okay." The Lexington, alone in space, sits there as two, much larger Narn Dreadnoughts rendezvous. "Channel Open to the Narn Commander." Valdimyre said "Narn vessels, this is Captain Robert Torrey of the Earth Alliance Vessel Lexington." "Lexington, we understand you want to open up trade negotiations between our two peoples." The Commander said in reply. "Yes, our government requested this." "State your terms." "Okay then, as your government may well know, the Earth Alliance is at war with the Minbari..." "Yes we know of your war, none of which is our concern. We don't want to get involved when it's not our dispute." the Commander replied. "I know, and I understand you don't want to lose unnecessary lives, but we don't want you to join the war. It must be clear by now that we are heavily weakened by the Minbari forces. We need better weaponry against them. Our ships can't get through their shields, and our fighters are no better. If we could arrange to get some weaponry from you, it would be much appreciated." "I see, we help you slaughter another race? A race that probably had peaceful intentions. A race that was just flying past, When An Earth Alliance Cruiser Decided To Destroy It!" The Commander was obviously enraged. "You can look at it that way." Torrey was calm, he was a good mediator and diplomat, probably why he got the assignment. "But in their so called anger, they have damaged the Earth Alliance heavily." "Not our concern." the Commander said. "If you decide to destroy a ship, it's obvious that that was a hostile move, and the race will retaliate." "We understand that much, but we only need some help." "It's like knocking over a Centauran Ants Nest, the ants inside will attack the invader, and get help from the other neighbouring nests. You are the invader, the Minbari are the Centauran Ants, the ship your people destroyed was the Nest." "I understand what you're saying, but we only need help." "And if my government decides to help, what will we get in return? The Earth Alliance I doubt would get these items for free." "If you assist us, we'll trade you with maps and information of regions of space that have been untouched by the Narn. If you don't help us, there will be no Earth Alliance left, and could you live with that on your conscience?" "The evolution of the galaxy is something I cannot change, G'Quon said the same." "I don't care much about what your religious icons tell you, are you willing to help?" Torrey asked. "Religion is important to ALL Narns, and if you disrespect that, you can leave." the Commander was fuming. "Okay, bad choice of words, we just want to trade." "I'll consult the Narn Military. It shouldn't take long. For your sake, stay here and wait for our reply, we wouldn't want to lose the Earth Alliance." "Thank you for your co-operation." Torrey said. "The other cruiser will remain behind. I'll be back soon." The Lexington and one of the Dreadnoughts held their positions as the other ship flew into the jump point vortex that opened in front of it. * * * * * * * * * * >The Result< Two hours had passed when the Jump point reopened and a Narn Dreadnought and a Heavy Cruiser dropped out of the vortex in front of the two ships that were waiting. It had been an un eventful two hours, the Narn and the Lexington keeping silent. "Narn ship hailing Sir." Valdimyre said. "Hmmm, let's see it." Torrey said. "Our government has agreed to your terms, the G'Kqueth will go with you to your planet. Our engineers are well versed in the installation of Narn technology. If you require any more assistance, don't hesitate to call." "Thank you, we'll escort the G'Kqueth to Earth, and we'll transmit the data to who?" Torrey asked. "You may transmit the data to us, or the G'Kqueth upon arrival at your world." the Commander replied. "We'll transmit it now then, so our end is secure. A gesture of good faith." Torrey said. "If only you were the same when you engaged the Minbari." "Transfer in progress." The Computer voice said. "Transfer complete, thank you for this Captain." the Narn said. "Thank you, Lexington out." The Lexington and the Heavy Cruiser 'G'Kqueth' moved off toward Earth and the other two Dreadnoughts moved off back into Narn territory. Their mission was complete, for now. But the war was far from over... TO BE CONTINUED... * * * * * * * * * * In the continuation... Earth year 2246, the Earth Alliance will get off to a good start, someone will get what has been coming to them, a familiar face will emerge in the stories to come, and the story will keep unfolding... * * * * * * * * * * By: Daniel Collins All comments and Suggestions welcome! * * * * * * * * * * Hope you haven't missed the previous stories in the build up: The Earth/Minbari War series... * First Contact * Fateful Mistakes of Apprehension * The Brink of War * Into The Fire * Thin Ice, Wild Fire * A BEGINNING WITH HOPE