From: "NEIL COLLINS" Subject: Fateful Mistakes of Apprehension Date: Thu, 2 Oct 97 11:31:26 UT Story Title: Fateful Mistakes of Apprehension (continuing from First Contact) Story By: Daniel Collins Commence: 2nd October 1997 >*< Chapter Name * * * * * * * * * * Previously, (First Contact by Daniel Collins) EAS Prometheus has made First Contact with the Minbari, but upon seeing their ships, the aliens appeared to be hostile. Taking offensive action, we now await the conclusion... * * * * * * * * * * The year is 2245, The name of the place is EAS Prometheus. * * * * * * * * * * >The First Fateful Mistake< As the first Minbari cruiser shuddered, the Prometheus fired again, and again, repeatedly into their hulls. The first Minbari cruiser didn't have enough power left to retaliate. The second opened fire, and the third. The Prometheus was hit, but took little damage compared to the Minbari. The Prometheus continued thundering it's weapons into the first ship. "Report" Skirami asked. "Minimal damage to outer hull. Minbari cruisers nearing critical hull integrity." Hobbson said "They won't last much longer. The second and third Minbari cruisers continued firing at the Prometheus, but it was too late. "Prometheus to Minbari vessels. If you withdraw your attack, you will be spared." went through the comm channels. "Sir!" Hobbson said, "We're too late. Massive damage to Minbari cruiser, they're going." The Prometheus crew looked out into space and watched as the first Minbari cruiser spun slowly, then a bright glow emanated from it's rear and blew out. When the light died down, a massive hull gaped into it's rear. Then, the remainder of the ship blew up. The second ship was also caught in the explosion of the first, and sustained heavy damage, the two remaining ships fired again. The Prometheus concentrated it's fire on the second cruiser, which also exploded from excessive damage to the hull. The third had also sustained heavy damage, but didn't remain to fight anymore. Before the Prometheus could open fire, it launched a Hyperspace buoy and entered the Jump Point... * * * * * * * * * * > The Truth Overcomes Lies < Now, the Prometheus was slightly damaged, and the crew effected repairs. Skirami opened a link to Earthdome to inform them of the situation. "Computer, Open a Link to Earthdome. Priority One Message." "Standby" the computer informed. "Ready" "Senator." Skirami said as Senator Yedekki's face appeared on the viewscreen. "Captain. What's up?" the Senator asked. "Our first contact situation..." Skirami started. "Oh yes, how did it go?" Yedekki asked informatively. "Not too good, senator." Skirami sighed. "Oh no, what makes me think something is alot worse than it seems?" the Senator asked. "I'll start to explain." "From the beginning." Yedekki said. Terris looked out into the vast expanse of space in front of him. It was a relaxing thing to see at the end of a hard days work. He looked at his drink, then skulled it down and headed toward his quarters. Skirami was walking down the corridor and he ran into Terris, they acknowledged each other, and began to talk. "What's up Haru?" Terris asked. "Oh, I just had a very long talk with Senator Yedekki." "How did it go?" Terris asked. "Not too good. They justify my decision, but said we should've waited until they fired first." "All well and good, but that would give them the leading hand, but it would have told us their intentions." Terris simpathized. "So we still don't know if they're hostile or not, but they know..." "That we are." Skirami finished. "We could've started a war that will never end." "Do you really think it'll come to that?" Terris asked. "I don't know, but I hope not..." Skirami said. * * * * * * * * * * > The Declaration < Chronicle Log, April 17th 2245. It has been two days since the fateful First Contact with the Minbari, and we are still awaiting any word from Earthdome. In the meantime repairs have been completed aboard the Prometheus and we are holding our position. "Skirami, this is Hobbson." Skirami was woken by the communication channel. "What is it?" Skirami asked. "A message from Senator Yedekki, Sir, Priority One." Hobbson replied "Put it through here." Skirami moved toward his viewer and Yedekki's image appeared. "Senator, what can I do for you?" Skirami asked. "First, you can get the Prometheus out of there, second, at 09:30 you'll open a channel on this frequency and listen." "What's the message?" "It's from the Minbari government. Two hours ago they contacted us about your incident. We tried to meet reason but they said their decision will be made at 09:30. Captain, their religious figure was on one of those cruisers you destroyed. They're a very religious people. I hope it won't come to what we've been trying to avoid. I really don't want a war on our hands." "Computer, Time?" "The time is 09:28." the computer responded. "Two more minutes." The entire bridge crew waited in anticipation of the message. Time drained past so slowly. "09:29, One minute..." Hobbson sighed. "Open the channel anyway Lieutenant Commander, I'm sure static would be a bit more entertaining." Skirami said. Hobbson complied and static filled the room. Shortly afterward, a strange humanoid face appeared on the viewscreen. It had a large 'bone' that went from one ear, around the back of the head and around to the other ear. He began to speak. "As a member of the Minbari Warrior Cast, we are enraged by the offensive action of Earth in an 'incident' two days ago. Here, is a member of the Religious Cast." Another person appeared. "As a member of the Minbari Religious Cast, we would not normally agree to the decisions of the warrior cast. But in this case, our greatest religious figure; Dukhat, was killed in the incident. We therefore leave the decision with the Warrior Cast." The original Minbari appeared. "It is the decision of the Minbari Federation, to declare war upon the Earth Alliance for hostile action taken against us on an errand of peace..." * * * * * * * * * * > The Realization < "Commander, have we got that ISN feed yet?" Skirami asked. "Right here, broadcasting now." The daily Interstellar News reporter appeared on the viewscreen. The bridge crew hung on every word she said. "New developments as the incident on the Rim is revealed. Three days ago, an Earthforce cruiser attacked a peaceful convoy of Minbari vessels. War was declared yesterday by the Minbari Federation. They have declared war on the Earth Alliance. I repeat, we are at war with the Minbari Federation..." Although the crew already knew all this information, it only just hit them when she said it again and tension began to fill the ship as the Earth Alliance was thrown into war, and they didn't know anything about their enemies... * * * * * * * * * * As the Prometheus continued out of the 'Falcon's Reach', Earthforce prepared all available ships for the upcoming war. At last report, an entire fleet of Minbari warships were on a course for the Earth Alliance border. The war has begun... TO BE CONTINUED... By: Daniel Collins Finish: 2nd October 1997