From: Wildtiger7@aol.com Subject: story Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 20:54:33 EST Brigitte LeBoeuf Wildtiger7@aol.com His People: David's Story Greetings all. This is my first attempt at fan fic, and any comments and or suggestions would be appreciated. I am a lurker on the J&D mailing list, and I got the idea from there: i.e., what kind of person would David Sheridan be? I hope you enjoy my interpretation. Much thanks to my mother and Sharon G., who were willing to weed through my atrocious spelling and give me valuable tips. And, of course, to JMS, who created this whole wonderful universe in the first place.His People: David's Story Part I: Tripping Over WaterWhere has the starlight gone? Dark is the day How can I find my way home? Endless Night, The Lion KingDavid stood with his arms folded along a windowsill, his chin resting on his elbow, and his bright blue eyes scanning the unfamiliar landscape of a countryside at night. His tall, muscular frame was hunched slightly to accommodate for his relaxed stance and his unruly dark brown hair fell in strands over his eyes. He looked more like his mother than his father, with his lack of eyebrows and gentle yet determined expression, though he did have his father's square jaw and blue eyes. He had no bone crest like his mother, but his ears appeared more Minbari than human in their location and size. As he watched the planet move by him, he found that the sky appeared bleaker than the ground, even though it was covered by thin, fast moving clouds. The two moons and the stars were able to light clouds easier than the relatively nearby sun the planet orbited. The transport he was in moved with deceptive speed, as David spotted the dark peaks that he was headed for. Lights were arranged in a strikingly beautiful pattern at the base of the peaks. David knew they shone always in a pattern, but tonight it was brighter with the added lights of morning. He had known well the warrior who those lights shone for tonight, and it made a visit to the Minbari home world that normally would have been welcomed with the utmost joy laced through with over-shadowing sadness. David stepped out of the transport onto a lighted landing platform and was greeted by a servant with the normal Minbari bow. A sad silence accompanied the two as they made their way to a complex not far from the platform. David's normally insatiable eyes looked straight ahead seeing only the servant, not wanting to look at the candles that reminded him of his own morning. He had come to say good-bye to a mentor, Lukenn, who had lead the Rangers from the time of Ivanova's retirement to his death, a few days ago. But he had also come to see Lukenn's son, Rousse, who he could not remember ever not knowing. He followed the servant with a conflicting mix of pain, loss, and joyful anticipation as he walked through a structure that was lit mostly with candles. Neither said anything as the servant led him to a complex not far from the platform. The servant weaved his way skillfully through the dim corridors made up of a brilliant gray crystal, and he motioned David toward an open archway that led toward a deck and left. David peered outside and saw the upper half of a well-built silhouette standing at what appeared, in the darkness, to be a wall, about waist high. David paused for a moment to take in the unwavering shadow of the man against the running clouds, then called out loudly with glee, "Rousse!" The holder of that name jumped noticeably and since warrior-caste Minbari were not known to jump at much of anything, snapped irritably, "In Valen's name, David, don't you ever announce your presence before pouncing?" David, who had been making his way with a great grin toward his friend, turned abruptly and headed back through the doorway out of Rousses' sight. Rousse stared at the place into which David had disappeared with a neutral expression, since he couldn't decide which of his contradictory feelings he should express. A moment later a servant appeared, looking more than a little perplexed. "Announcing the presence of David Sheridan of the house of Mir to see Rousse of the house of Yestieri. Will you see him?" "Let him in. But station a guard nearby to guard against trouble." Rousse's statement did nothing to help the servants confusion, and he left quickly as David entered. The two grinned at each other as they laid their hands upon each other's hearts and exchanged the rousing pleasantries of two reunited boyhood friends. "You still love abusing those who don't have any idea what you are up to," Rousse said, grinning. "Especially since that includes you," David retorted. He spoke to Rousse in a Minbari-Standard mix, randomly using words from either language, which ever happened to pop into his mind first. Rousse pulled away from his friend and circled him, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture and expression that of stern disapproval. Coming around to face an equally serious-expressioned David, Rousse said, "I have heard some interesting things about the new Satai." "Oh? I would be most interested in hearing them." "He likes doing the exact opposite of what is expected and demanded by his position. He has little respect for tradition or elders, and has generally had quite a good time of pissing everybody off." "Ah. And my sources have informed me that the new Satai likes pissing people off because it makes it easier for him to do the things he wants to do behind their backs." "Wouldn't it be more productive for this new Satai to engage the help of everyone in doing what he wants?" "Everyone won't listen to him, so he decided not to bother with them. Besides, I have more fun this way." Rousse's expression broke with a grin. "Perhaps so." He and David grinned at each other for a moment. He then turned his head back to the lights he had been watching when David intruded. The lightness of the reunion had vanished. "I could always count on you to make me smile," Rousse said softly, not really aware that he had said anything outloud. David turned his head to watch the lights as well, but found his eyes drawn to the hidden lights of the night sky. The two appeared as almost identical silhouettes, Rousse being slightly more muscular, David a bit taller. After a moment, David spoke into the silence, "Shouldn't we be going?" Rousse nodded instinctively. "Yes," he said without emotion. David waited until he was ready, and followed him into the house. The funeral was conducted as the sun rose to light the province. As the candles went out and the service finished, David wandered to he rear of the gathering, memories and the emotions that came with them playing through his soul, clouding his eyes with tears so he barely noticed the mourners as they left. Lukenn's funeral was held amongst his family's ancient burial grounds at the family's request, and as many Rangers as could possibly manage had made the trip to attend the funeral. David's trance was broken by a gentle touch upon his jacket. "Hey!" a grinning face greeted him with tenderness. David wrapped his arms around the lithe figure of Carpenter Raven, a friend with whom he had undergone Ranger training. Carpenter was only three inches shorter than his 6' 2", and one of the stronger full-blooded humans he knew, male or female. Her gentle face and laughing eyes made her appear sixteen, though she was five years older than David's twenty-six. But she was tough, intelligent, and strong in demanding situations, as David knew well. She pulled back from him and examined his appearance. "Interesting choice for a funeral," she said, indicating his human-style trousers, shirt, and jacket. "Did you not have enough formal outfits to choose from?" David said simply, "I came here as Rousse's friend, not as any of my titles." Carpenter smiled gently at him, and David noticed that her eyes were red and that her smile did not contain its normal happiness. "Glad to hear it." She turned to watch the people leaving along side David, but almost as soon as she did the pair was approached by another pair, consisting of two Minbari Rangers, a male and a female. David, skipping the customary greeting, simply enveloped the two in one hug, smiling gleefully. "Wow!" he said, laughing, "When was the last time you two were in the same place?" Brother and sister regarded each other with distaste, and then the brother, Torsch, offered spitefully, "The last time you got the two of us in trouble with our parents." "I'll have to work on getting you in trouble more often, then, considering that was a quite a few years ago," he said playfully. He knew Torsch and Anitenn regarded each other highly, but their different roles as Rangers kept them apart. David had grown up with them, as their parents were servants in his parent's house and they had joined the Rangers with him. They were very different, though, in what they did for the Rangers. David was a leader, already a captain in the White Star fleet, not to mention a Satai, whereas Anitenn was a builder, and worked with everything she could get her hands on. Her brother was best suited for the primary job of the Rangers, gathering information, for he was very good at understanding what others were not telling him. "That's okay," Anitenn said with a smile, putting her arm on her brother's forearm. "We'll make sure to see each other more often from now on." "Yeah, don't you have better things to do?" asked a voice from behind. Dan'teth's distinctive Narn head loomed over the two Minbari ones as she grinned at David. She greeted each of her friends cheerfully, saving her dearest friend, Carpenter, for last. Dan'teth was a hard, tough warrior who didn't put up with any crap except David's humorous tastes, and even those only rarely. As a result, she and Carpenter got along marvelously. Rousse spotted the group, and the sight of so many of his friends together lifted his spirits. He went to see them with a small grin, but it was real. He had already greeted them when they had arrived, but now they were all together. Except- "Where's Iziah?" Carpenter asked, referring to the dark native Earther who was of Cuban descent. "He's probably with Ro'uoth," David said. "When we get out of such a public place, I'm sure those two will materialize out of the shadows," he said, looking at Rousse as he spoke. Neither Iziah nor his Pak'ma'rah friend Ro'uoth liked it much in public places, and even in private preferred only the company of Rangers. "I agree," Rousse said, and, taking David's hint, lead them into the family compound. As soon as they stepped inside an acolyte approached them with a message for David from Satai Triblani. David stepped reluctantly away to receive it. "I'll catch up with you guys later," he called over his shoulder with a sheepish smile. "Well," sighed Anitenn, "I guess we should let him. It is from the Grey Council." "Oh, yes. The almighty Grey Council," Carpenter said. Anitenn looked at her sharply. Before the two could get into that argument again, Rousse said with a gesture in the general direction he wanted them to proceed, "This way, ladies." Anitenn glared at Carpenter a moment longer then followed Rousse's lead, catching up to walk along side him. Carpenter turned to smile pleasantly at Torsch. He smiled back and said cheerfully, "I heard that you enjoy, um, conversing about unmutually agreed topics with my sister." Carpenter laughed. "Keeps my skills at 'conversing' sharp." "And if you want to continuing sharpening your skills," Dan'teth said lightly, "perhaps we should follow were Rousse is leading us." "Agreed," said Torsch, and he and his two female companions followed behind their leader who directed them to a room not far away. It was an average sized room, sparsely decorated in the preferred military style, with a large window and a ledge big enough to sit on. Fortunately, there were chairs and a table to elevate the need for use of the ledge. They all sat down, and a silence fell over the group as they took one another in. A small smile was on Rousse's face. He broke the silence with, "I'm glad everyone could come," he said softly. "We're glad to be here," Anitenn said. She was naturally quiet, and the heaviness in the room only made her quieter. "I'm impressed David showed up," said a voice entering the room. It was Iziah, with Ro'uoth not far behind. Iziah was small and thin, light on his feet and quick with his mind. After everyone exchanged greetings, Torsch said with a laugh, "Well, he came expecting to see you, and so far he's been disappointed." "It's not good to disappoint a Satai," Carpenter added. "No, it's not," Anitenn put in. "Especially since David would rather play a trick on you than reprimand you. The reprimand would be easier to take." Everyone laughed at that. "Well," Rousse began when he caught his breath, "we all know what David's been up to, considering everything he does is in the news. What about the rest of you?" "You want to hear about our humble existences?" Iziah asked. Rousse did, and so did everybody else. When David returned, they were all laughing about the latest mess Carpenter had gotten herself into. David came in and asked, "What did I miss?" "Everything," Rousse said, offering him a chair next to him. "But since you already know everything, I guess you don't mind," Carpenter, who was on David's other side when he sat down, said with mock sweetness. "I don't know everything!" David said, exasperated. "No, you just act like you do," Carpenter shot back. "Well, David, since you know everything, perhaps you can answer a question I've been pondering," Rousse asked, leaning back in his chair and looking at David. David knew fighting was futile, so he simply mimicked Rousse's posture and asked "What's that?" "My father's death left a vacancy in the position of Anla'shok Na," he began, "and I was wondering if you could tell me who would fill that position." It was a question Rousse alone could ask, for no one else present would have broached such a sensitive subject in front of him so shortly after his father's death. But Rousse was a warrior and preferred not to dwell over such subjects. He would be forced to deal with it, but in his own time, and he would rather not do it now. "No, I can't, and they haven't offered it to me yet, if that's what you're wondering." "Oh, no?" asked Dan'teth." No. That's not what the call from the Grey Council was about." "So what's taking them so long?" put in Torsch. David glared at him. "You're assuming that I'm the best for the position. However, the selection of the next Anla'shok Na is a delicate and time consuming one that is necessary to find just the right person for the position." "Yeah, they'll consider a bunch of different people only to come to the conclusion that they aren't as good as you are for the job," Iziah said gruffly. "Other people have more desirable traits than I do," David said, putting his legs up on the table. There wasn't much room for this, and consequently his feet were in Anitenn's face. She looked at him with disgust, but he ignored her and went on. "More experience, more knowledge-" "What about all that knowledge and experience your parents passed on to you?" Torsch asked. "A lot of people would kill to know what you know," Anitenn said, pushing his feet off and onto Rousse's lap. "Yeah, a lot of people would kill me if they knew what I knew because they wouldn't want me to tell anyone else," David said darkly, staring at the table, as Rousse pushed his feet to the floor and he had to readjust himself to a normal sitting position. "Besides, my parents might have taught me what they knew, but they couldn't teach me what experience can - namely, how to use that information and when, especially when I'm two seconds from being obliterated." "I've seen you act in situations like that before, and you did just fine from my point of view, considering both you and I are still here," Iziah said. "Yeah, David, you're still far better at that than most people twice your age. And you're only going to get better," Anitenn told him. He smiled at her. "Thank you, Anitenn, but I don't think that only what my parents have done should get me this position." They exchanged looks as he went back to staring at the table. "So you won't take it if they offer it to you?" asked Rousse." Of course I'll take it," David snapped. "If they looked and couldn't find anybody better, then I'd be pretty stupid not to take it, knowing that by declining the position the Rangers would be in the second-best's hands." "Oh, of course," Carpenter said, rolling her eyes. They continued to talk and laugh, but David soon had to leave, citing that the Grey Council required his presence. As he lifted off from the planet he was again at the window looking down, and wondered how many of the lights he saw were lit in morning. He remembered the sad, lonely expression upon Rousse's face, remembered what it felt like to lose one's father, and wondered how many others were feeling the same. The transport soon docked with the cruiser in which the Grey Council traversed the stars. Stepping down into the ship, he couldn't help but feel trapped, strangled, as he always did when entering this particular vessel. He didn't like the fact that the ruling members of the Minbari did not even live on Minbar. He shook his head to clear it as an acolyte came hurriedly to greet him. The woman bowed and said, "Satai, your presence is requested in the convening of the Grey Council." "What?" David asked the bowed head. "I was told the meeting wasn't for another half an hour." "I do not know why the meeting was moved up, Satai, but I'm sure it must be important." "Of course," David muttered, passing the acolyte. "Thank you." He wouldn't have time to change, and he wasn't even wearing anything so formal as his Ranger outfit. He suspected this was done on purpose. He was the last one to arrive. As he stepped partially into the light, he heard, "Welcome to the meeting, Satai Sheridan. You honor us by your presence." The greeting was Yatz's normal one, but David heard the sarcasm. "I must apologize for my appearance. I was only told about the meeting a few moments ago." "Yes, well, that should be expected when one leaves to take care of personal matters," Yatz said. David admired his cover-all statement, and did not take any offense to it. Yatz was perhaps the shortest of the warrior-caste David had ever seen, and he made up for it by being loud and obnoxious and overbearing in attitude. He tended to lead most of the convening of the council, and the other members seemed inclined to let him. This, David assumed, was because it kept Yatz happy and, thus, the meeting flowing. "We are convened here to discuss the reports of activity near Upper Ridge," Yatz continued. David assumed this was another piece of information they all knew and decided not to tell him about. Upper Ridge was on the edge of Minbari space, and not to far beyond it was a vast unexplored area, due to unnavigatable gaseous formations. A view screen descended into the middle of the circle, showing Upper Ridge and the Minbari activity in it. "Here, and here," Yatz said as red dots lit up with each of his here's, "the border monitors have been destroyed. When we sent ships to investigate, they found no trace of evidence." "Maybe they didn't know what to look for," David interrupted. Yatz, as he usually did anytime David said anything, took this as an insult. "Just because the ships were not piloted by your Rangers, Satai, doesn't mean they aren't as thorough." "Your soldiers are just as capable of doing the complete scans as the Rangers. Rangers, however, often have more inherent curiosity to go and search what is not seen. Perhaps if we sent a White Star, we could learn more about what caused the destruction of those two stations." "Perhaps. Or perhaps it would be better if the Grey Council went. Is there enough intuition and knowledge amongst us, Satai Sheridan?" There was something Yatz wasn't saying. "There's something you're not telling us, Satai Yatz," David said. "I'll leave you to wonder what it is I'm not telling you, Satai Sheridan," Yatz said smugly. He looked around the room. "Is it agreed? Shall we investigate what could be a threat to our boarder and our security?" It wasn't really a question. David figured Yatz had already approached the other members of the Grey Council. Yatz got approval from all the other members of the council. The meeting concluded, they all began to fade into the darkness. "You've been contacted by a previously unknown alien race," David said, still staring at the blank spot were the chart used to be. "Who told you that?" Yatz snapped, returning to the circle. The others did the same. "You did," David said. "In the chart you showed the council earlier, in between the two stations that were destroyed, there's a manned outpost. And around it, there are stationed a lot more ships than normal, as with the rest of the border. Now, to have the amount of increase, in the areas you do, you must have more to go on than the destruction of two small, unmanned border monitors. Besides, if it's important enough to bring the Grey Council out to investigate, then it's probably a delicate first-contact situation." As he spoke, he stared straight ahead, allowing nothing about his posture to change except his facial expressions as he explained his reasoning. Yatz decided to get angry instead of being impressed. "So why don't you tell me what we know about these aliens?" "Nothing, except the fact that they like to blow up our border monitors. Good thing you sent in ships to replace them, or they might try to do something behind your back." He shrugged his shoulders. "They probably are, anyway." Yatz chose not to ask how he knew that. "Thank you for your impressive show of intuitiveness. Why don't you make it available when we try to contact these aliens?" "It always is available, Satai," David said, and walked out of the light. He wasn't very happy as he walked back to his sanctuary onboard the ship. They were always testing him, being none to happy about his appointment. He was here because of popular demand, and because he had managed to impress the right people, not because those in power approved of him in any way. Reaching his room, he stretched his long form out upon his bed. From were he lay he could see out the window, and the infinite intricacy of hyperspace. The meeting with the Council greatly disturbed him. They weren't to fond of him both for his age and his heritage. Not that they didn't approve of his father but that they didn't think a half-human, half-Minbari should be a member of the Grey Council. The door chimed. David sat up and said, "Come." Seeing it was Treblani, a female member of the Grey Council representing the religious caste and the closest thing he had to an ally, David stood up and bowed in greeting. "Satai Treblani, it is good to see you." Treblani bowed in return. "And you, Satai Sheridan," she said with a slight, knowing smile as David went to turn on some lights. "Was I disturbing your rest?" "Oh, no," David said, shaking his head and offering Treblani a seat. Treblani declined as David explained, "I was thinking." "About the meeting?" When David nodded, she continued, "So was I. There was something else that nobody spoke of." "Knock me over and call me stupid," David murmured to himself. Seeing Treblani's worried expression, David quickly said, "So I suspected. What is it?" "Nothing we have discussed formally, just whispers I have been exposed to. It is thought that the unknown alien might be a former shadow ally, and as such, a dangerous enemy." "That's interesting," David said, his expression turning to one of curiosity. "They're nowhere near what used to be shadow space. In fact, they would have had to gone clear around several civilizations to get there." "All the more reason to think it might be the Shadows. They are trying to get us to think that it is not them." David shook his head at the warped logic of a people who still had the Shadows constantly plaguing their unconscious thoughts. "To make any kind of attack successful, they'd have to build a base, a rather large base, and there's not much room between the border and the nebula." "The Shadows had ways of disguising well their activities." "Not the activity of that scale. We surely would have picked up something by now. And if they came from inside the nebula, then they'd have to be a lot more advance than the Shadows." "We can not know for certain if the Shadows did not possess such technology." "But we can be pretty certain. Otherwise, if they did, would it not have been a wonderful way to attack our people? We couldn't have followed them into the nebula, and we wouldn't have been expecting an attack from that area, so our defenses would have been low and the casualties high, especially since we had some pretty important ship building bases near the nebula." Triblani nodded thoughtfully. She narrowed her eyes at David, asking, "What do you think they are?" David shrugged his shoulders. "An alien race we've never encountered before." Seeing that Triblani didn't appreciate his sense of humor, he added, "I think they came from inside the nebula, or the other side of it. Either way, they possess the technology to travel through it unharmed. They first encountered our border monitors, and because they couldn't get any response out of them, decided to destroy them to see if that would get a reaction." "That sounds reasonable. Do you think they are approachable?" "There's always a risk, but I think it's worth it." Triblani smiled in appreciation. "Thank you, Satai Sheridan. This conversation has been most enlightening." "For me as well," David said, returning the smile. Triblani took her leave, and David remained standing right were he was, with one shoulder leaning against the wall, a drink in his right hand and his green eyes locked on nothing outside his window. Coming out of hyperspace a little while later, the Grey Council had assembled in the command center. An armada of ships greeted them, and David noticed they hadn't spared anything in the way of firepower. A distance beyond the fleet, he saw the enemy fleet hovering against the great expanse that made up the clouds. They appeared only as black masses to David, he couldn't make out any distinguishing figures or shape. There did, however, appear to be a lot of them. It worried him that there were two well-armed fleets aimed at one another, neither knowing the other's intentions. And it also worried him that he was considering them enemies. "Contact the fleet," Yatz ordered. When the Alyt appeared on the screen, he continued, "Alyt, report." "They arrived here a few hours ago, Satai, and have not responded to any of our attempts at communication. They've just sat there." The Alyt was obviously confused. "Thank you. We'll take over from here. Position your ships in formation around us and monitor the enemy carefully, but do not do anything unless ordered to do so. Is that clear?" "Yes, Satai." The Alyt bowed and disappeared. Yatz turned to the Minbari in charge of communications. "Try to contact them. Let them know who they are talking to." "Receiving a response, Satai." "Good, let us hear what they have to say." Yatz made it sound like a tremendous favor. David doubted the aliens would see it as such. "We have been awaiting your arrival," came the oddly metallic voice. It sounded as if a computer were talking, only a step away from beeps and splurges, but it was very light at the same time. David could tell nothing from the tone, but he didn't like what was said and tensed even further. He was standing on the edge of the Grey Council, almost as if to fade into the background, but he could see and hear everything. "We came as soon as we heard you were trying to contact us. We are Grey, the ruling body of the Minbari." "We know who you are," the voice said. The ships moved closer, and the same time spreading out into an intricate design. "Then you have an advantage over us," Yatz said. The ships moved closer. "Yes." "How is it that you know who we are?" "Your fame precedes you," the voice intoned. "I must request that you break off from your present course. You are headed-" A shriek was heard over the com system, breaking off the Satai's request. They involuntary flinched and covered their ears. David didn't move, keeping his eyes on the ships as they past through and around the fleet. "Don't fire unless fired upon!" Yatz ordered, screaming to be heard over the roar. The ships passed without a shot. David shook his head and said wistfully, "You should have fired. They've flanked us." "What are you-" Yatz broke off as more black ships appeared from the multicolored backdrop. "Incoming!" A voice announced. "Thirty ships on approach vector!" "The ones behind us won't attack," David said, moving forward to assume a more central position. "They're only going to keep us from running toward the base. I suspect that the ones headed toward us are a bit larger and more deadly." He paused, letting what he said sink in. "In other words, a trap," Satai Treblani said. "Yes," agreed David. "They said they knew who we were, and therefore knew we wouldn't fire the first shot, no matter what they did." He stepped forward, to speak to the fleet. Their little flyby did allow him a better look at their ships. "Split in two groups, and head to their right and left flanks. Send fighters out to keep them busy. Take us to the left. Now, they're going to follow our ship, because I believe it's us they want, since they went through so much trouble to get us here." The fleet broke in two, veering off in opposite directions. The fighters were launched, the larger ships were almost within firing range, and as they passed the first group of enemy ships, a group of White Stars shot out from behind the planet the station was orbiting and under the Minbari warships, straight at the opposing fleet. The first group didn't fire until the incoming vessels opened up, and they fired on the White Stars simultaneously, attacking them from two sides. The highly maneuverable ships avoided most of the blasts, but as they swept close to the enemy ships, several were hit by powerful shock waves that seemed to have been emitted by the attacking vessels. Explosions erupted along the hauls as the injured vessels backed away. "What happened?" David barked. "They seem to have been attacked by some type of biological weapon that is disrupting their systems." David nodded grimly. "Tell the White Stars to pull out and keep clear of the enemy." He picked out the ship that all action seemed to be centered around. "Tell the Endless Night to come around at attack the enemy located at point twenty-eight. We'll get them from the front, they get 'em from the back." The vessel flew in, firing at whatever might wish to distract it, on a direct course for the ship David had picked out as a prime target. "Satai Sheridan!" a warrior practically screamed from his station. "We have an unknown object headed on a intercept course!" David caught the movement at the edge of the view screen. It was black, like the other ships, but it had no shape, morphing as it flew, and no lights, no hint of anything but a blackness that gleamed as it reflected the battle off its surface. It was a most eerie picture, to watch as it engulfed the ship and the explosive, brilliant light of energy weapons alike as it moved to refract another scene of the battle. Almost before David could do anything, the object was nearly upon them and showed no signs of slowing down. "Evasive maneuvers!" David called. "Open the-" He was cut off by a screeching sound as the black form morphed around the ship, engulfing it. Earsplitting noises came from all directions as the ship shuttered in protest at the violent assault. Vents leaked and metal and wires became displaced while the noise grew louder and the ship took to shuddering violently. It was almost impossible to stay standing at their stations, and David, with nothing to hold on to, was thrown to the floor, along with bits and pieces of the ceiling. David tried to get up to see what was going on through the smoke, and he realized that they were boring hundreds of holes in the ship's hull. He saw a form materialize in front of him, black and without a definite shape, like the ships outside. David ducked instinctively, as the wall behind him showered hot sparks upon his back from the high charged weapon. David rolled to the left before he had even gotten all the way down, to the area with the most debris. Gripping the first object he laid his hands on, he pushed forward and hit his attacker full-force, first with his body and then with his make-shift metal weapon. He pulled out his pike as shouts, shots, and chaos added into the screeching of metal to make it nearly impossible to think, see, or feel anything but pain. The lights dimmed and went off as he hit a couple of the black forms in his way. He leaped toward the weapons console were he saw a warrior fighting with his instruments. Gripping the console as the ship shuddered beneath him, he shouted in the warrior's ear, "What bio-hazardous gas do we have stored in large quantities?" "Methane, gluzine, sulfur-" "Pick whichever one's the easiest, and vent it out into space!" The warrior moved quickly to follow his command. A few tense seconds later, he announced, "The- the enemy is pulling away from the hull, Satai." David turned to shout into the diminishing noise as the poisonous gas ate into the enemy's method of assault. "Do we have-?" "Communications back online!" "Contact the Destroyer and order them to vent-" he turned back to the warrior standing next to him. "What did you use?" "Methane, Satai." "-vent methane at our hull to speed up the process. Tell the other ships to attack with gases that are poisonous to biological systems but not in the vicinity of the White Stars and give me control of the propulsion system," he ordered. He turned back to the Minbari next to him. "When I get close enough, aim for the parts that are all black. Don't aim for anything with lights, they don't contain biological components. And after you've released the gas, ignite it." The Minbari nodded in understanding as David maneuvered the ship to sweep under the broad side of the biggest fighter nearest him. Their shots rocked the damaged vessel, but the methane was also ignited the ship had already emitted, and it lit up in fireballs that were forced toward the enemy vessel by David's partner's firing. David didn't stay near the vessel long but quickly moved to another and then another, only staying long enough to start a chain of damage he knew would be hard to stop. Each time, his ship was further damaged by enemy fire, but David knew he was doing more damage to them. Other ships followed suit, and the enemy began to pull out, escaping toward the safety of the nebula. However, those that had already been damaged by David's method only further augmented the problem as the gasses of the nebula heated up their disabled systems and quickened the destruction. The remaining injured vessels saw this but continued in anyway, rather than being captured, as the undamaged ships disappeared behind the security and secrecy of the clouds. David brought his ship around, heading toward the base, slowing it down so as not to damage its battered systems further. He stood up straight and let go of the console, unconsciously flexing his hand to restore circulation. "Good job," he said to his helper. "Thank you, Satai," the young Minbari said, his head bowed in ascension. David could see, even in the dim, hazy light, a reddening gash alongside the man's face, and his uniform was no longer fit for him to wear. "What is your name?" he asked. "Dryieron of the house of Chite," he answered. David smiled. "It's an honor to work with you." He turned his head to survey the bridge, and found it resembled more of a junk pile. In some areas, there were no lights, cords, wires, and metal hung in all directions, and what wasn't still clinging to tattered structures was heaped on the floor. He saw a few Minbari at their stations, some trying to pick themselves up off the floor, and others being helped up. "Status!" he barked as he moved to help Satai Ullin up. "Wide spread damage." I know that. He thought. "Complete systems failures on levels ten and twelve, jump engines off line, artificial gravity at sixty percent capacity-" "What about the rest of the fleet?" "One White Star dead in space, it's been evacuated, and heavy damage has been sustained by all but White Star 62. The warships are better off, mostly only sustaining damage to their weapons and engines, with some slight hull damage." David nodded as he moved to deal with a wire that had started to spark. "Casualties?" "Thirty-two confirmed dead so far, and a large number of injuries." "Satai Sheridan!" a frantic voice called from a fallen support beam nearby. David looked up over to see several warriors crouched around the rubble. He hurried over. "Satai Treblani-" David put his hand on the shoulder of the Minbari closest to him. "Alright, we'll get her out." He said, not letting any panic creep into his voice. "We only need to lift this a few inches." He pointed to two of them. "You and you pull her out while the rest of us lift." He got them quickly into position. "Ready? Now!" He pulled up as hard as he could on the huge metal beam. Sweat mixed with the blood and grime on his face. He was almost as strong as a full-blooded Minbari, but he didn't feel like it. When he heard the shout of "She's free!" he dropped the beam. The others did likewise and it clattered to he ground. David went over to Treblani, breathing heavily, feeling lightheaded and having a hard time seeing. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off. "How is she?" he asked. "Badly injured," answered the doctor who had appeared. "We will move her to med lab and do everything we possibly can to save her." David didn't like the sound of that, but he simply nodded and said, "Alright. Keep me informed of her condition." Another Minbari approached him, as he stayed in his crouched position and whiped his brow with his arm, cringing and sighing at the same time. "You should be checked out as well, Satai." "I've fine," he murmured, brushing her off. He tried not to wince in pain as he stood up, but the effort took his breath away. He swallowed and closed his eyes to steady himself. Seeing a tarnished, shattered ship and other similar ships through the view screen when he opened them did nothing to steady him. He forced himself over to the nearest console and studied the readouts. "We're pretty close to some of the ejection pods from the White Star. Let's move in and pick them up," he said, waving his fingers over the reports he was trying to make sense of. "Yes, Satai." David moved automatically from station to station, person to person, problem to problem as he tried to put the ravaged situation back in order. His body felt a hundred times its normal weight, despite the significantly lowered gravity levels. He felt as though he had a million tiny spikes being driven constantly into his back, every single muscle was sore and bruised, and heaviest of all was his head, which required most of his concentration to prevent him from hitting the floor. One of the doors to the control room opened with a series of explosions. David turned to fast to see Rousse; followed by several none-to-pleased looking warriors, burst onto the bridge. Rousse looked frantically around and, spotting David, rushed toward him. "David! They didn't want to let me up here, but I had to see-" He didn't get any more out, as David threw his arms around his friend and collapsed against him."So, what do you think they are?" Rousse asked, as he passed a half-circle around David's bed. He had explained to him what had happened to both of them, allowing David to regain his bearings, and told him the current condition of the fleet. David sighed and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. He was lying on a Minbari-style bed, slanted, and his doctors had refused to let him leave. They wanted to make sure he didn't have any serious head trauma or traumatize some other unfortunate souls. "I think they're a bunch of aliens who set a trap and sprang it rather successfully. I have to admire their ingenuity." "David!" Rousse exclaimed, as he temporary stopped pacing to stare at his friend. "I'm serious!" "So am I," David replied, propping himself up on his elbows. "The doctors want you to stay in bed." "I am in bed." "I assume they meant lying down." David had by this point gotten himself into a sitting position, bringing his knees up in order to rest his elbows upon them and keep himself from sliding down the bed. As it was obvious David wasn't going to listen to him, Rousse continued, "I've heard rumors that they're Shadow allies." "They're not Shadow allies," David said, a bit annoyed. "Then what are they?" "I'm not positive, but they're not Shadow allies. Got it?" "Yes. I got that you are pretty sure what they are, but you have no intention of informing me." "Why start more rumors?" "I would not start rumors." "No. But God know who's listening." Rousse stopped his pacing and turned as a doctor entered the room. The doctor looked back and forth between Rousse and David for a moment, giving the distinct impression that he did not have good news. Finally, he focused his gaze on David and said, "I am sorry to have to inform you, Satai Sheridan, that Satai Treblani did not survive. She died only a few moments ago, as she was being operated on. Her injuries were just too severe. I am sorry." The doctor was now looking at the floor. Both David and Rousse froze in place. David was staring at the doctor's head, Rousse at an indistinguishable point on the sleek, blank, cold, metal wall. Finally David managed to croak, "Thank you, Doctor." The relieved Minbari quickly left. David and Rousse exchanged a look. "You know, we're really great at these first contact things," David muttered sarcastically as he placed his head in his hands. "The other eight didn't bother telling me they were initiating contact until they had practically already done it. Oh, yes, let's go rushing off so we can play a little game with new aliens. That's always worked so well in the past!" Rousse walked over and gently put his hand on David's shoulder. "I'm sorry." "So am I," David said, without lifting his head. Rousse's jaw hit the floor. "David-?" Another visitor interrupted him. "Satai-" seeing David's posture, the intruder stopped short.David lifted his head. "Yes?" The Minbari took a deep breath, gathering courage, keeping his head bowed in the tradition way, so as not to look at David's face. "We have received a message for you from the Council of Elders," he said, holding out a data crystal. "Thank you," David said, taking it. He listened to it, but he already knew what it was going to tell him. "So you managed to ward off a hostile alien and get offered Entil'Za, all in the same day. I am impressed," Rousse remarked when the message was done. David collapsed back onto the bed. "I don't feel all that impressive." Rousse stared at him for a moment. "In Valen's name, David, you did this on purpose!" "If you mean the rest of the Grey Council's idea to come out here and meet with these aliens, no, I just went along with their little idea but suspected something was up. However, I did see the invader headed toward the ship, and I let it come." "But, why?" "I figured we could get a few prisoners, question them, and learn more about their technology. Not just from the prisoners, but from the ship itself. They attacked us on purpose, they knew who we were. They're going to do it again. Hopefully, they'll be less successful. I don't know exactly why they attacked us yet, but I'll figure it out." David sighed. He didn't sound too convinced himself, and Rousse could tell he was more than a little worried. "People died, David." "I know," David whispered softly. He pushed himself up from the bed and swung his feet over the edge, gingerly trying his legs. "Where are you going?" Rousse snapped. "Home," David murmured, and walked out. Rousse followed him. "What?!" "I have a ceremony to prepare for," David explained, as if it was obvious. He stopped at the first link he came to. "This is Satai Sheridan. Have a long-range flyer ready for me in one hour." "Yes, Satai." David continued on his course. "You can't clear everything up here in an hour!" Rousse exclaimed, chasing after him. "You're needed here!" David wasn't listening. "You're running away, David!" David kept going. David allowed himself to relax in the solitude that hyperspace provided, and breathed deeply for the first time in days. He took deep breaths, his body going slack in the chair, his eyes not closed but nevertheless unseeing. It didn't take long for that to change, though. His eyes soon saw the White Star blowing up in front of him, the wreckage that used to carry the Grey Council between the stars, and Treblani's shattered body. He tried to wade through the images assaulting him, to piece together step by step what had happened and develop a picture. This had never been so hard for him before. Normally, he could take the events that had just unfolded and piece together a plausible future, and he was never very far off. Now, every time he tried the images came back to assault him again. When he tried to focus on the task in front of him, he found himself thinking of Lukenn, how he had died. David had greatly admired Lukenn, who was like a second father to him, and his death had left David with to many holes to be filled. He found no solace in sleep, and was grateful when the ship awoke him to inform him of an anomaly it had picked up. Sensors in the vicinity of Epsilon Three were reporting a spatial disturbance. David figured it was worth his time to investigate. It could turn out to be a hazard to travel in the area. Bringing his ship out of hyperspace, he was immediately assaulted by a dazzle of bright, motile colors that bored their way into his brain. He checked his instruments to make sure he had come out of hyperspace, and then checked them to find out what the anomaly was. "Computer, run a particle scan on the anomaly," he ordered. "One moment," the computer ran and buzzed electrically to itself. "The anomaly is composed of unknown particles," it said pleasantly. "Very informative," David murmured, looking at his instruments and not at the lights in front of him. He could still see them, but at least it was not as painful. "Computer, check for radiation signatures," he ordered. The computer came back presently with, "No known radiation signatures are present." "So it is emitting radiation?" "Unknown." David seethed with frustration. He decided to try a different route. "Computer, can you locate where the signal is coming from?" "Epsilon Three." "Oh? What is Draal up to now?" David wondered out loud. "Computer, prepare for descent." He switched to manual flight controls. He knew the territory was loaded with weapons, and he didn't know if he would be considered a welcome intruder or an unwanted guest. Perhaps Draal was just getting a little bored of the lack of attention this area of space drew now. From what his parents had told him, anything could be possible where Draal was concerned. It was best not to wonder about it too much, for Draal would soon let you know. "A missile lock has been detected," the computer informed him. David cringed as he saw twin darts headed for his ship. It looked like he was the unwelcomed guest. David pulled his ship up and out of the atmosphere in a loop. The missiles winged closer. As soon as David was at the top of the arch, nearly out of the atmosphere, he kicked the engines to full, heading straight down toward the planet's surface. The missiles, nearly in space themselves, took a quick turn and followed him down. David and his pursuers picked up speed as they headed toward the planet with the help of gravity. David watched the ground grow closer and closer, then at the last second pulled up and skimmed along the surface at full speed toward the chasm that descended deep into the planet and the entry leading to Draal. David looked back, expecting to see the missiles explode on impact. Instead, they simply disappeared right before their dual explosion should have rocked his flyer. They weren't real. What was Draal up to? David landed his craft on a platform that was conveniently marked and lighted, presumably, for his use. Stepping down, he looked around cautiously. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a door open. Not presented with any other options, David took the passageway. He wandered for awhile, always aware of how to get back to his ship, but knowing that way held no answers except what he already knew. He concentrated on his surroundings, which weren't like anything he had seen before. Following the patterns on the walls, he was a bit taken aback when the wall suddenly disappeared and he stood at the threshold of the Great Machine. The machine went impossibly far up and impossibly far down, and was wonderfully intricate. No wonder his father thought so much of this place, David thought as he gingerly stepped out on the walkway, his mouth slightly open and his head turning in all directions, trying to see, hear, feel, and understand everything. He noticed a figure at the other end. "Come, come, follow Zathras," it called to David. He squinted curiously at the keeper of the Great Machine, not able to make out much. Watching both the alien in front of him and the machine work around him, David quickened his pace to follow Zathras. By the time David got to the other side, Zathras was gone, and David just caught a glimpse of him disappearing around a corner. David hurried to catch up, and, rounding the corner, found Draal waiting for him. "Do you always attack everything with such suicidal tendencies?" Draal said in greeting. David was still awed by the place. "I'm envious!" he said softly, with a slight smile, not really seeing Draal, but the area in which he stood. "What a wonderful toy!" Draal continued as if he hadn't heard his visitor. "Humph. Reminds me a bit of your father. He was never concerned about ramming his own foot up the enemy's broad side." "What do you want with me?" David asked, suddenly realizing who stood in front of him and stepping a bit closer to Draal's rather imposing figure. "To compare me with my father? Other people already do that enough, thank you. You could at least think of something original." Draal wasn't phased by the insult. "Do you think your parents are perfect, Sheridan?" "No! What are you-" David was getting rather frustrated. "I know they're not perfect. I know they made mistakes. They never hid that from me. They never hid anything from me." "Really? I don't think you really understand that they weren't perfect. You see their mistakes as completing them, therefore you do not see them as real mistakes. Tell me, David Sheridan, do you remember when you asked your parents if they knew where Valen came from?' "What? What does that have to do with anything?" "That is the question all Minbari children ask their parents at one point or another and when they find out the answer is 'I don't know', they realize their parents aren't perfect for the first time. Do you remember, David?" "Yes," David said simply. "And what did they say?" "It wasn't 'I don't know'." "No, I didn't suspect it was. So you never realized that they didn't have all the answers. They always did, for you. And in your quest to be just like them, you were surprised by suddenly not knowing all the answers. You didn't know what you should do, because you didn't have any examples. But guess what, Sheridan? Your parents did the same thing. They had to learn a lot before they were able to do all they did, and so will you." "So this was just a learning experience? People died! If everybody had to learn by watching others die, there wouldn't be anybody left!" David said in disgust, and quickly hurried out of the room. Draal, however, was not limited by humanoid methods of travel. His voice followed David as he tried to escape what he didn't want to hear. "Not everybody. Just those destined to great things. They must suffer great losses, to be able to gain what they want." David didn't respond. "They must learn from what has happened, or the deaths will have been in vain. Your parents didn't run away. How fortunate for the rest of the galaxy." With that, he let David go. Draal turned his body towards Zathras, who had been watching the conversation with his usual interest and now shuffled forward. "How many people do you think will have to tell him that before he listens?" "I think... three," Zathras offered. "Three?" Draal asked, turning his head to look at Zathras with an expression of puzzled amusement. "How did you come up with that number?" "Three... is good number," Zathras said, nodding his head.Draal laughed, and it shook his formidable frame. "That it is."David tried not to think about his encounter with Draal on his way home, but that proved to be impossible. He kept thinking, and, at night, dreaming, about the aliens and Treblani and his role in everything, and Draal's interpretation of the situation. It made him mad. How could Draal know any of what he claimed to? He was stuck inside a machine! David seethed inside, alone, on his voyage home. Upon arrival David hardly spoke to anyone, heading straight for the Ranger Compound outside of Tuzanor. He immersed himself in the task of preparing for the ceremony and the job that lay ahead. He was in a private room standing at a desk going over the procedures of the ceremony when the door chimed. "Come," he called, not even turning around. He figured it was another helper with more information for him. When nothing was said, he turned to look toward the door with, "How can I-" The figure in the doorway stopped him."I know what you're doing," Rousse announced, entering the room and letting the door close behind him. "And what is that?" David asked, frozen were he was, still holding the now forgotten papers. "Have you been talking to Draal?" David asked with annoyance. That took Rousse by surprise. "Who?" he asked, perplexed. "Never mind," muttered David, looking down at the papers in his hands but not knowing what they were or why he was holding them. "So, I'm running away, am ?" he asked, walking around the desk, sitting down and putting his feet up on the desk upon the papers he had just been holding. "Yes," said Rousse. He never took his eyes from David and stood rigid in the middle of the small room. "From what, if I may ask?" "From responsibility." Rousse was going to make him draw it out of him and he wasn't going to leave until he said what he had come to say. "How? I take responsibility for my actions. I'm preparing to take even more responsibility as we speak," he said, motioning to the variety of objects and papers around the room. "And you're preparing to abandon all your other responsibilities." "I haven't yet." "But you will." Rousse sighed. "I know you, David. I know what you are doing. You think you have failed-" "I have failed, Rousse, in case you haven't noticed. People died, and I could have prevented it." "How? By not allowing the ship to be taken? How do you know you would have survived without that little maneuver. The thing is, you don't. And neither did your father when he went to Za'Ha'Dum-" "That wasn't a mistake!" David shouted, standing up. "He didn't kill anyone else in doing that!" "So that makes it not a mistake? How do you know that if he hadn't of gone, fewer people would have died, because he would have lived longer? Or, on the other side, maybe he would have died in even a shorter period of time? The point is, you don't know. The whole Grey Council could be destroyed by now if it wasn't for you, or everyone could be alive. You don't know. You did what you thought was best at the time, and it unfortunately lead to the death of a Satai, as well as Rangers and warriors." "You're trying to make the fact that people died sound better, trying to make me not take responsibility for my actions." "David, you're not listening to me," Rousse said with exasperation. "I'm trying to not let you run away from your responsibility. You have to take chances like the one you took, and because it didn't turn out the way you wanted, everything perfect, you think you failed completely. But you have only failed completely if you run away. Everything is not going to turn out exactly as you planned it all the time. There are infinite possibilities you can not control." Rousse paused, his gaze upon David sharp. "I do not know what upsets you more, David, the fact that Satai Treblani died, or the fact that it was not in your plan." There was silence in the room, as each seethed inside, letting their anger show in their eyes. David's jaw hardened, his hands clenched in fists, and had he been close enough, Rousse would have been on the floor. Rousse wondered if he had gone to far, said too much.In a very low, threatening yet surprisingly hurt voice, David asked, "Is that all you think of me, Rousse? That I'm so concerned about my plans that I don't care about the people I hurt? You're wrong. I know what it feels like to lose someone, and I would do everything in my power to make sure others didn't have to feel the same." David paused, no less angry, and a lot more hurt. "You've changed since your father died," David said wistfully, "and I don't think it's for the better." "I could say the same about you," Rousse snapped. "Get out," David growled. "David-" "Leave. Now." Rousse saw something in David's eyes he definitely didn't like, and turned and left. He was more disappointed than angry as he walked quickly down the hallway. He had hoped to get through to David, but he didn't think he had done a very good job. Where was Torsch when you needed him? Torsch had this amazing ability to make anybody understand exactly what he wanted him to. David could do it as well, but now somebody needed to do it to David. Rousse stopped abruptly. Torsch wasn't around, but somebody else was. He started walking again, with renewed purpose. He knew where to go now. However, he soon stopped again, as he realized that in his anger in leaving David's room, he hadn't paid attention to where he was going and now he was rather lost.After Rousse had left, David stood trying to bore holes through the door with his eyes. Perhaps if he had, he would have felt better. As it was, his fingernails bored holes in his skin, leaving blood to run down his palms. He tried to calm down. He had a ceremony coming up tomorrow to prepare for, and he had the distinct feeling that it was going to be the most important ceremony of his life. As David put the final touches to his uniform, looking in the mirror to smooth his hair, he heard a gentle knock. "Come," he said, turning halfway to the door. "Hello, David." "Mom!" he exclaimed, and rushed toward his mother, holding her as tight as she held him. "I'm glad you could come," he said, standing back to smile at her. Delenn returned the smile, seeing in her son a smile so much like her own. It was a smile that could reach the darkest of places. Looking into her son's eyes, she saw the storm clouds that had gathered to darken them, clouds he could hide from others but not from her. "Why would I not?" she asked, trying to hide her worries with playfulness. There would be a time to voice them, soon enough. "I see no reason why you shouldn't be here," he said, matching her lightness with his own, as he offered her a seat. He quickly turned serious, though, with too many emotions causing his thoughts to be pushed back, confused. The emotions demanded more and more space, more and more of his time. "I know how important this ceremony is, Mom. I'm ready for the job." Delenn chose her words carefully. "I know. I am curious, though, why you rushed home so soon after the events on the border. The ceremony could have waited until everything was under control.""Mom," David said with a sigh, "I really don't think the Rangers should go that long without a leader." Delenn, gathering his meaning, moved closer to touch her son's arm. "What happened out there, David?"He shrugged. "The Grey Council went out to investigate an unknown alien race, and we ended up in a fire fight with them."Delenn flinched and turned away, looking down at the floor. David reached for her, but she shifted away from his outstretched hand. "Mom, that was different.""Really?" she asked, turning her head to look at him. "We, too, were going to contact, or at least, investigate an alien race. We ended up in what became a rather one-sided firefight because I made a decision in a second of fury that had longer lasting effects than I care to think about." "You made your decision in anger. I made mine knowing full well what I was doing, and people still died.""That's the point, David. Both our decisions turned out to be wrong, but at the time we thought they were right. You can't change what you've already done. Trust me, if it could have been done, I would have done it. Unfortunately, the universe doesn't work that way. The future, however, has yet to happen." "But I shouldn't have worried about gathering as much information as I could on a new threat, and worried more about protecting the lives of those threatened," he said, his eyes and voice displaying his torment. "And you came here because you thought you could save more lives by leaving those you already have hurt? Did you not think you could hurt them more by leaving than by staying?" Delenn questioned, as much with her voice as with her piercing, haunting green eyes. David averted his eyes away from his mother, glancing down at the tightly clutched hands in his lap. "Do you think that Dad would have saved more lives by staying with you instead of going with Anna to Z'Ha'Dum?" he asked, still not looking at her, his lips barely moving and his voice little more than a whisper.Delenn was silent for a moment. Finally she said, "I do not know. However, by doing what your father did, he threw the Shadows into confusion, forcing them to take a break from the attacks. That gave us time to breathe, to put together a plan. And by coming back from Z'Ha'Dum alive, he was able to pull together the other races in a way other wise not possible. Had he not gone to Z'Ha'Dum, I do not know what we would have done." Her voice was tight, controlled, and even. But he knew her too well, and he knew she was hurting. That was not his intention. He seemed to be doing a lot of things he hadn't intended lately, and hurting people in the process. "I can't imagine how the war would have turned out had Dad not done all that he did. But that doesn't stop me from wishing he was here now. Perhaps, then, things would be easier. We could all work together on this." He looked up at her. "Mom, I know these aliens are a bigger threat than anyone else imagines. I figured that by becoming Entil'Za I would be able to deal with any disaster I knew was coming. I helped start it," he choked, hiding the tears he was fighting back by adverting his eyes to the floor. "But if you went back," Delenn said softly, reaching out to lay a hand on his forearm, "you might be able to prevent the disaster from being as great as you fear it will be." "Or I could make it worse." "David, you see things others do not, know things others can not even imagine. You know the threat for what it really is. Do you really believe you can not stop the damage you know is coming? If your father believed that there was nothing he could do about the Shadows, if he had waited to 'pick up the pieces', I do not think there would have been any pieces left to pick up." David raised his head to look at her, his eyes full of tears. "In other words, running away from the disaster probably won't do much to prevent it." "No," Delenn said, shaking her head, tears showing in her eyes as well. "Unless you think you are the disaster," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Then you definitely can not run anywhere." "No," David said with laughter, even as the tears fell. He took her small, delicate hands in his firm, strong ones. "Thank you," he said. The words seemed about as inadequate as a lone candle trying to shine as brightly as a star, alone in space, but he saw in her expressive eyes that she understood. Delenn squeezed his hands. "Don't you have a ceremony to attend?" David shook his head. "That can wait. First,I must try and prevent a disaster." Delenn, smiling, leaned over and cupped his face in her hand, kissing his cheek. "Then I will see you then, my son." As she stood to leave, David told her, "One more thing. Tell Rousse I said thank you, as well." "I will," Delenn promised with a smile, and left. David was not far behind her. End Part I