From: Price <price@aesim.com>
Subject: Babylon 5: IA Sheridan "Extinct Dragons" & "Overdue means trouble"
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 07:02:36 -0700

Babylon 5: IA Sheridan - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Rampart/8842/index.html

The following stories are part of a Play By Email role playing simulation.  The
setting is the Babylon 5 universe in the current fifth season.  Events and
references in these stories may contain spoilers for prior and future episodes
of B5.

Additional information, character back ground, etcetera can be obtained by
visiting the above website.

We live for the one.  We die for the one.   Enjoy.


   *****


"Extinct Dragons"
 by Commander Kem Zaelea
 9804.20


*** Red Dragon Squadron ***

For several hours the wing of five Minbari fighters under the command of Ranger
N'Graz were flying in tight formation with a convoy of Gaim freighters. The Red
Dragon Wing were using the freighter's and their close formation piloting skills
to conceal them from any outside scans, making the series of 16 Gain freighters
look like an easy target to whomever wanted them destroyed.

Per the Wing leader's orders, not a word had been uttered over the
communications channels while the Rangers maintained total radio silence.
Instead, the Rangers would use hand signals to silently communicate with each
other as they flew in their individual fighters. It was something every Ranger
was required to learn while preparing for the coming of the Shadows, for the
last thousand years.

["Scans show negative."] Ranger Tilmar gestured, ["No hostile ships display
within range."]

["Keep scanning."] the red eyed Narn sternly fingered in silence. ["The enemy is
here I feel it."] he emphasized by making a fist.

Rolling his Minbari eyes slightly, Tilmar gave N'Graz a nod from his fighter
that hugged the side of the Gaim freighter to conceal their signals. ["Very
well. Scanning continues."] he gestured.

In a less than enthusiastic fashion, the young Ranger returned to his routine
scanning of the immediate area. It would be the last mundane task he'd perform
for the rest of his life when dozens of jumpgates abruptly opened all around the
Gaim convoy.

*****

*** Bridge, IA Sheridan ***

Lennor entered the Bridge and handed a data crystal with the results of the
test. He look at the Captain and the Commander and said "We may have here either
proof that the Centauri are behind this or that the enemy just left more
evidence pointing toward another alliance member to break the alliance apart. "
He looked at them and said "Either way is what you humans would say 'Hot stuff'.
I would like permission to forward this information to Ranger HQ and to B5. " he
waited for a response.

Captain Yawashita took the data crystal from Lennor and examined the casing in
his hand. He then looked up into the Chief Intelligence officers eyes. "No, I
will contact Babylon 5 personally Lennor. If President Sheridan authorizes it,
then I will allow you to send the results to the rest of the Rangers."

Lennor raised his eyebrow slightly, but quickly made a triangular gesture with
his hands and nodded, "As you wish Captain. If you like, I can arrange a secure
coded channel?"

Captain Yawashita nodded his approval. "That would be fine. Route it into my
office, I will make the transmission from there."

"Yes Captain." Lennor acknowledged, "I will attend to it at once." He said,
turning to move to the required station.

Senji glanced over at Commander Zaelea who was standing near by and remained
silent during the exchange. "Commander, the bridge is yours. I will be in my
office."

"Aye sir." Kem answered, turning aside to allow Captain Yawashita to pass by,
before taking up position in the command chair.

Inside his office, Captain Yawashita sat down. Taking a moment to inhale and
exhale fully to relax his mind, Senji reaches and activates his view screen. A
flat, holographic view screen appears hovering to one side of his desk. The
placard that indicates it is a secured channel displays briefly before the
Captain activates the channel and sends a signal back to Babylon 5. A moment
later, the familiar face of the one appears and fills up the view screen.

Bowing his head slightly, Captain Yawashita greets Delenn.

["What is it Senji? What have you found out about these attacks?"] Delenn asked.

Captain Yawashita slotted the data crystal and tapped a control to begin sending
the data to the Minbari Ambassador. "I am sending you our findings now Delenn.
There was superficial evidence planted that would appear to indicate that Gaim
fighters destroyed this Llort freighter, but further analysis indicates that the
debris left were not the result of this attack but planted afterwards." Senji
began while Delenn listened diligently, "However we did find one small detail
that we believe did result from this attack. A small metal fragment that was
imbedded in a hull panel from the Llort vessel."

["I see. And this fragment, have you had it analyzed? Does it match any of the
materials used by any of the known forces we have encountered before?"] Delenn
asked.

"Indeed it does Delenn. It appears to be a fragment of a Centari weapons system.
It is the sort of fragment that would be caused if a weapon of the type the
Llort freighter was equipped, were to score a direct hit on the Centari weapons
system. It is a small splinter of a fragment. I doubt they would have noticed
it. The only reason we did is because Chief Intelligence Officer Lennor saw it
imbedded into the side of one of the Llort hull fragments."

A worried look formed on Delenn's face. ["That helps to confirm information that
we have come by here. Mister Garibaldi while trying to question the only
survivor from one of these attacks was himself attacked by a group of strange,
hooded men. He managed to rip a button off of one of the attackers responsible
for murdering the only witness. It was discovered that this button is a
ceremonial dressing that is common on Centari clothing. No one knew of Mister
Garibaldi's assignment because it was classified. We fear there is an informant
among us that is passing information onto the Centari. Your findings help to
validate the evidence that the Centari are behind these attacks."] she
explained.

Senji nodded. "What do you want us to do about this Delenn? Lennor was going to
transmit this information to the rest of the Rangers back on Minbar."

She shook her head negatively, ["No. Do not do that. Until we know exactly who
the informant is, we can not risk letting everyone know and allow him, or them,
to escape and go into hiding. Keep this information to yourself Senji. Until we
have something more solid to go on than just a metal fragment we can not risk
exposing what we already know."]

"I understand Ambassador. Presently there is a wing of Red Dragon escorting a
Gaim convoy across the outer rim of the non-aligned worlds. We are hoping that
it will be an attractive target for this Centari attack force. If they strike,
we shall have the proof we need." Captain Yawashita explained.

["Very good Senji. It is important that we obtain positive, undeniable proof of
this before we approach the Interplanetary Alliance with these charges. Any
thing less will result in chaos and quite possibly the splintering of the
Alliance."] Delenn relayed her worst fears.

"We will not let you down Ambassador. We will continue to examine the wreckage
here, and keep you posted of the Red Dragon escorted Gaim convoy. When we have
proof, you will know of it." Captain Yawashita bowed in a Minbari fashion.

Delenn smiled weakly, nodding her head before ending with, ["Babylon 5 out."]

The holographic display screen disappeared at the end of the transmission. A
moment later, Lennor hailed the Captain over his communications wrist unit.

["Captain, shall I arrange a secured channel to Minbari, or would you like me to
contact the Rangers directly myself sir?"] Lennor asked.

Sighing, Senji turned his hand over and activated the triangular communications
device, "I am afraid that it's not going to be that simple Lennor. Come into my
office and I will give you a full briefing on what I have just learned."

["I'll be right in sir."] Lennor replied before closing the channel.

When the Chief Intelligence Officer arrived, Captain Yawashita began to brief
Lennor on the entire situation with the Centari.

*****

*** Red Dragon Squadron ***

Out of the dozens of jumpgates that emerged all around the Gaim convoy flew
several Centari Warcruisers and fighters. The Gaim freighters began to panic and
break formation, but it was no use.

["Help us! By the maker, help us!"] came a transmission from one of the Gaim
freighters when the Centari ships began opening fire on the defenseless
freighter ships.

Breaking radio silence, the Wing Commander, N'Graz, ordered, "Attack formation
Red Dragon, lets return fire and transmit our status back to the Sheridan." The
red eyed Narn bellowed, rolling his fighter out from under the protection of the
Gaim craft it was hiding behind. The other Red Dragon Fighters did the same,
quickly engaging the many attacking Centari warships.

["I can't get through to the Sheridan Red Leader! I am transmitting, but they
are not answering my signal."] Ashar declared in an adrenaline filled voice of
one locked in mortal combat with the enemy.

"They must be jamming our signals." N'Graz declared loudly, but in a calmer,
more seasoned tone, "We must try and neutralize some of their ships to allow one
of our fighters to break free and notify the Sheridan."

Stellar combat flared while large, Gaim, fuel carrying freighters began to
explode in the vastness of space under heavy Centari attacks. Having now spotted
the Red Dragon Wing that were hidden inside the recesses of the 16 ship Gaim
convoy, the Centari fighters were concentrating on engaging the enemy fighters
and eliminating them, one by one.

["Mealon! Watch your tail, there is a Centari fighter angling for a shot... Roll
out! Roll out!"] Tilmar yelled over the local communications channel.

The Minbari's warning was too late though, the Centari ship gained the angle
needed to fire the deadly shots that destroyed Red 4 in a fiery explosive blast.

It was soon becoming apparent that these Centari were not interested in allowing
anyone to survive this clash, even if there was a full wing of Red Dragon
present. There were simply too many Centari ships to deal with.

*****

*** Bridge, IA Sheridan ***

Commander Zaelea sat in the command chair, somewhat bored since the Sheridan was
hovering in the middle of the wreckage from the Llort freighter attack.
Collecting of debris continued for further analysis, per the Captain's orders.
Kem supposed it was a good idea to go over every bit o
f the evidence with a fine toothed comb, but still, it made for boring work for
the Commander of the ship. She was looking forward to the scheduled radio
checking of the Red Dragon Wing, if for no other reason to have something
interesting to do.

Several minutes past, and no signal was received. Kem found this strange,
because N'Graz was not the sort that would not report in at the scheduled time.
That is, if he were able to. "Has the Captain finished contacting Babylon 5 yet
Pierce?" Commander Zaelea asked.

The Ranger looked over from the engineering monitoring station towards the rear
of the bridge. "I believe Lennor went in to have a private discussion with the
Captain over an Intelligence matter. I don't think that it would be a good idea
to interrupt them... Captain Yawashita hates being interrupted." Pierce
explained.

Kem listened to the Chief engineer and lightly bit her lip. She didn't like that
the Red Dragon were overdue for their check in with the Sheridan, but she didn't
want to anger the Captain needlessly either. Returning her gaze out the main
view portal, Commander Zaelea decided to wait until the Captain and Lennor were
finished to inform Yawashita that the Red Dragon were over do for their hourly
check in.

*****

*** Red Dragon Squadron ***

["Red 3, you've got two Centari fighters on your tail. Bank left and try to
loose them under the Gaim freighter straight ahead."] Denok transmitted over the
communications system.

Ranger Tilmar began doing as his mentor suggested, rolling his fighter and
twisting between the wreckage from the many Gaim freighters that were being
mercilessly destroyed by the Centari Warcruisers that stayed back and just fired
away at the helpless tankers. One of the Warcruisers attacked the very freighter
that Ranger Tilmar was using as a shield. The tanker cracked in two and exploded
in a violent explosion the caught the tiny Minbari fighter in it's wake. The
screams of the Ranger could be heard even as his ship melted around him, until a
brightness prevailed, but the scream seemed to linger on in the minds of all of
his Red Dragon Rangers.

The color of N'Graz red eyes seemed to burn brighter and grow more hateful then
was typical for the Narn. The acting Wing Leader of the squadron was Narn in
blood only. His heart was Ranger, through and through. In the tradition of the
Minbari warrior Caste, the Rangers were not ones to surrender, or give up. It
went against their code. That's why the order he was about to give was the
hardest one he'd ever given. "Red Dragon Wing, break off the attack. Retreat. I
repeat, retreat from the Gaim convoy."

In disbelief, Denok spat back over the communication system, ["Are you mad?
These Gaim will not stand a chance without our help!"] the young but experienced
Minbari pilot scolded. And he was correct. They didn't stand a chance against
this massive force of Centari warships. The Rangers job was to protect the
innocent and defend the weak. The Gaim were presently both of these things and
more. But the Wing Commander had a higher responsibility to adhere to. One more
important than seeing the entire Red Dragon Wing go down in defeat in a gallant
attempt at saving the weak in a battle they can not win. Proof had to begotten
to the Sheridan and the Alliance or in Valen's name, this entire battle was for
nothing.

"That was a direct order Red 5. Break off the attack and fly clear of the
Centari jamming signals. We must contact the Sheridan and inform them of this
attack and that the Centari are responsible." N'Graz hissed, not liking having
his orders questioned.

["You are a coward Red leader! Rangers do not run from battles. At least not
Minbari Warriors."] Denok argued while avoiding enemy fire from a pair of
Centari fighters.

"Warriors know the importance of orders Denok. Do not question me! A signal must
begotten to the Sheridan and our fellow Rangers or more will suffer this same
fate!" N'Graz explained, piloting his fighter clear of the convoy and into deep
space. Several Centari fighters pursuing his ship.

["What shall we do Denok?"] asked a confused Ashar, ["Red leader is right, if we
fail to report what we have learned we will have failed in our duty as
Rangers."]

["Leave if you must Ashar. But I am of the Warrior caste. I will not abandon the
weak that need the help of a Ranger."] Denok scolded back through the
communications channel.

Ships were exploding all around. The fuel carrying Gaim freighters were turning
the immediate area into a burning blaze of flame. Flying in and about the
twisted wreckage of the exploding Gaim Freighters, Denok fought gallantly while
Ashar watched from his fighter. He was a noble man, Denok. One not afraid to die
for what he believed in. In an instant, with the single blast from a Centari
Warcruiser, Ashar saw him do just that.

His decision made, Ashar pulled his Red Dragon Fighter around and prepared to
retreat from the scene of the battle. Firing all engines on the Red Dragon
Fighter, the young Minbari pilot watched his hud at the closing Centari fighters
that were pursuing. He had hoped that he could remain ahead of them just long
enough to escape the jamming signals from the Centari Warcruisers. Had he of
listened to the Wing Commander's original orders, the young Ranger might have
made it. In a barrage of fire from the trailing two fighters, Ashar's tiny Red
Dragon Fighter exploded in a white ball of sparks, silencing the Minbari Ranger
forever.

N'Graz tried transmitting a signal back to the Sheridan to inform the Rangers of
the attack, but it was no use. The three pursuing Centari fighters and single
Warcruiser were still blocking the Narn's transmissions with a jamming signal.
When the fighters closed to within weapons range they began to open fire. The
red eyed Narn's face appeared even more hateful then before. Like an animal
trapped and tormented in a cage. One knowing full well that when it's captors
are through with amusing themselves with it's torment, they would snuff out it's
life without the least bit of concern.

Knowing he didn't stand a chance against the sum of the pursuing Centari craft,
the experienced pilot flew his Red Dragon fighter to the nearest planetary body.
A little world of insignificant value that be believe was called Aloc.

Skillfully, N'Graz avoided the weapons fire from the lead Centari fighter long
enough to allow him to enter the atmosphere of the planet. Unable to follow,
that left the Centari Warcruiser with it's heavy weaponry in orbit around the
planet, leaving one less hostile that the Narn had to deal with. Pulling his
fighter into a tight loop, N'Graz attempted a reversal to gain position on this
twin pursuers, but the maneuverable half crescent Centari fighters were not
going to fall for the classic tactic. Splitting off, they gave N'Graz the choice
of one target or another. The free ship left to pursue the pursuer.

N'Graz eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed further when he made his choice,
pursuing the crescent shaped fighter on the right. Closing, N'Graz skillfully
got into position and was able to score several hits on the armored fighter,
forcing it to leave the atmosphere for the safety of space. That left but one
ship on his tail, but the pilot flew like he were trained by Shadows. N'Graz
could not shake the trailing Centari fighter no matter what he tried. Finally,
several shots hit the Red Dragon Fighter, causing the ship to spiral down deeper
into the planet atmosphere below.

The tail spin was completely out of control. N'Graz struggled to maintain his
orientation and consciousness while at the same time, struggling to regain
control. He could not allow the Centari to beat him. This was too important to
the Rangers. It was too important to the Alliance. And it was too important to
his own people. When the tumbling fighter broke through the clouds of the upper
atmosphere, the rugged terrain and jagged canyons of the surface of Aloc could
be seen spinning out the main view portal. Realizing that he was fighting with a
lost cause, his fighter now a worthless, twisted pile of organic machinery,
N'Graz prepared to eject just as the Red Dragon Fighter dipped into the jagged
terrain of the canyons of Aloc.

Two seconds later, a giant explosion erupted, followed by a billowy plume of
dark smoke where the Red Dragon Fighter had exploded on impact, where it was
utterly destroyed.

Moments later, the pursuing Centari fighter cleared the canyon walls and
casually flew by, recording the destruction of the last Red Dragon Fighter
before returning to the pack to finish off the attack on the Gaim freighter
convoys.

*****


"Overdue means trouble"
 by Commander Kem Zaelea
 9804.22


Captain Yawashita finished briefing Ranger Lennor before both men exited the
Shai'Alyt's office and stepped onto the Bridge.

Commander Zaelea watched patiently from the command chair until the two men
finally emerged. Several minutes had past since Ranger N'Graz was supposed to
report in on the status of the Red Dragon wing of fighters that were escorting
the Gaim freighter convoy. But so far, no word had been received.

"You look like someone with something important on your mind Commander."
Yawashita observed while giving Lennor a nod to dismiss the Chief Intelligence
Officer.

"Yes sir. Wing Commander N'Graz is over due for the hourly check in. I've been
monitoring the channels, but nothing has come through." Kem explained.

Captain Yawashita appeared to be annoyed by this news. His dark brows furrowed
while he wondered why the Commander didn't notify him of this sooner. "How long
over due?" Senji asked.

"Nearly ten minutes Captain." Kem said flatly with a slight show of concern in
her tone, "I haven't known Ranger N'Graz for very long, but judging from his
prior check ins, he seemed to be the punctual type. I can't imagine he'd miss a
check in unless he had to maintain radio silence or was otherwise occupied."
Commander Zaelea speculated.

Senji shook his head with a twist. "Not N'Graz. The man would never be so much
as two seconds late for anything, let alone ten minutes. The Wing must have come
across trouble. Set course for the Gaim convoy. We'd better go and see what's
keeping our Narn friend occupied." Yawashita ordered.

"Yes sir." Kem acknowledged relinquishing the command chair to the Shai'Alyt
while stepping over to the Minbari Navigation officer. "Open a jumpgate and take
us to the Red Dragon Squadron." She commanded.

With the touch of a few buttons, real space opened up and a jumpgate appeared.
The Sheridan quickly entered leaving the star studded back drop of real space
for the multi colored spectacle of hyper space while she made her way to the
last known coordinates of the Red Dragon escorted Gaim freighter convoy.

"The shared disgrace of failed Dragons" by Commander Kem Zaelea 9804.24

The trip through hyperspace was a short one for the IA Sheridan. The Gaim convoy
while massive from a tonnage standpoint was also not going to break any speed
records on their interplanetary run. In a matter of minutes Captain Yawashita
ordered a jump point opened at the last known position of the convoy.

The Sheridan exited hyper space and was greeted with the star studded back drop
of normal space. Just a few hundred thousand kilometers way, the tell tale signs
of the destroyed Gaim convoy could be seen.

The crew on the bridge of the Sheridan grew quiet. Captain Yawashita stood from
the command chair in disbelief, staring at the view portal at the burning
wreckage that was once 16 fully loaded Gaim freighters.

Commander Kem glanced at Captain Yawashita not knowing how he was going to
react. The young Ranger Shai'Alyt just looked at the twisted wreckage field for
a few long, silent moments. "Set a course into the site of the battle Navigator.
We must search for survivors." Senji ordered in a forced, non-emotional tone.

But there was emotion. This was more than the Llort freighter they initially
investigated. This Gaim convoy was flying under the protection of the Red Dragon
Wing. Some of the finest Minbari fighter pilots in the entire fleet. The pride
of the IA Sheridan, yet, before them mixed amongst the wreckage of Gain
freighters was also peppered the souls of their brethren Rangers. This was a sad
day for the Anla'Shok.

*****

After the initial shock of the destroyed Gaim convoy had past, Captain Yawashita
ordered the wreckage examined just as they had done with the Llort freighter.
Mixed in with the wreckage from this attack were pieces of Drazi attack craft.
Again, obviously placed as if to shift the blame to a neighboring faction.

"Excuse the interruption Shai'Alyt." Chief Intelligence Officer Lennor bowed
slightly while addressing the Captain.

Senji looked away from Commander Zaelea and to his Minbari right hand man. "What
is it Lennor?"

"Ranger Caple reports that the wreckage of four of the Red Dragon Fighters have
been found mixed in and about the wreckage." Lennor explained.

Captain Yawashita was not pleased with the news, but his initial summation of
the remains of the transport had prepared him for the eventuality of the news.
But still, only four? "Have them continue searching. The fifth fighter should
still be here also. Minbari Warriors do not run from a battle." Senji stated
flatly.

"I will inform the other Rangers to double their efforts." Lennor nodded before
going to inform the men.

"We should report this back to Babylon 5 sir." Commander Zaelea reminded the
Captain, standing silently by until now and observing.

Senji's eyes darted through the almond shaped slits towards the former
Earthforce officer. Still not fully trusting Kem, or the reasons behind her
assignment to the IA Sheridan, an all Ranger staffed White Star vessel, he
didn't know if she had come on board merely to keep an eye on the ship, or if
she were here just to do what she was doing know, and remind the Shai'Alyt to
report back to the Fortress of Light in times like these.

"Of course." Yawashita finally said in agreement. "I will contact Babylon 5 from
my office. The bridge is yours Commander."

Kem stepped out of the way while Captain Yawashita gave her the equivalent of
the 'cold shoulder' and walked past Zaelea without saying another word. When he
reached his office door, Senji paused a moment, glancing back at the Commander
and giving a loud exhale that came out like a grunt from a Dragon. He then
disappeared into the recesses of his office, the door sliding shut behind him.

"You seem to have upset the Shai'Alyt Commander." Ranger Holden commented from
aside the Commander.

Kem turned and looked at the massive framed, black outfitted, Human Ranger. His
huge arms were folded, but not so much in a threatening way as in a relaxed
muscular fashion.

"All I said was that Babylon 5 should be informed..." Kem tried to explain.

Holden rocked his head. "It's not what you said Commander. You need to get to
know Senji Yawashita better. He is a very private man. Those five Ranger pilots
that were in the Red Dragon Squadron were not only under his command, they were
his friends and brothers. He can not rest until he knows what happened here, and
who did this to members of the Anla'Shok."

Kem shook her head in doubt, "I don't understand. How can updating Babylon 5 on
our findings hurt anything here?"

"That's just it Commander. You would have to be a Ranger to fully understand. By
requesting that the Shai'Alyt contact the Fortress of Light with out fully
knowing the answers to what happened here, and who did this to our brother
Rangers, you have asked him to take on the shame of the Red Dragon's failure
upon his shoulders." Holden informed the naive Commander of the ways of the
Anla'Shok.

"I didn't mean... that's not what I intended to do! I..." Kem stammered.

Unfolding one of his arms, Ranger Holden just held up a hand, "It is all right
Commander. The Shai'A
lyt understands you are not a Ranger and do not know the dishonor you have just
placed upon him. Senji Yawashita is not one to hold grudges. He will let your
ignorance on matters of the Anla'Shok pass this time. I just thought you
deserved to know why he reacted the way he did."

Kem's eyes gazed up into Ranger Holden's. He was a kind man that had the
patience of a saint. Something one would never have guessed by looking at his
huge frame. "Thank you for explaining it to me Ranger. I see I have a good many
things to learn still of the ways of the Rangers."

"The Anla'Shok. That is the Minbari word for The Rangers." Holden corrected with
a slight grin.

Commander Zaelea smiled and gave the Chief of Security a nod. "I will keep that
in mind."

*****

Captain Yawashita sat at his desk and activated a secured channel to Babylon 5.
The familiar holographic view screen materialized at an angle over his desk,
suspended in mid air. After a few moments, the face of President John Sheridan
appeared.

["This is President Sheridan at Babylon 5. What have you found out Captain?"]
John said bluntly. He looked as if he were having a really bad day by the looks
of him.

"President. I am afraid I have woeful news to report. Another attack has taken
place. This time it was a Gaim freighter convoy of 16 ships. They were all
destroyed sir." Senji explained, purposely omitting the part about the Red
Dragons.

["What have you discovered from the wreckage Captain? Were there any
survivors?"] Sheridan asked.

"The wreckage is much like that of the Llort freighter we were just
investigating. Only here there appears to be pieces of Drazi attack craft left
at the scene." Senji explained.

["Weren't you sending a wing of Red Dragon to escort the Gaim freighter convoy
to try and identify the alien attackers?"] President Sheridan reminded.

Senji cursed internally. He had hoped he would be able to avoid the disgrace of
informing the President of the Ranger's defeat until after he had the answers
needed to invoke revenge on those that caused the death of his brethren. "That
is correct President." Senji said flatly.

Sheridan looked back at the view screen expectantly for a few seconds before
blurting out , ["Well?..."]

"I am saddened to inform you that the Red Dragon Squadron sent to escort the
Gaim freighter convoy was also destroyed in the attack." Captain Yawashita
stated in a remorseful tone in memory of his friends and fellow Rangers.

A look of shock radiated from Sheridan's face. ["The whole squadron?"] he asked
in disbelief.

Senji nodded. "We have recovered the wreckage of four of the five fighters
dispatched mister President. We are still searching the debris for signs of the
fifth ship. There isn't much left out here sir. The Gaim were transporting fuel
in the freighters. When they exploded anything in close proximity was utterly
annihilated." Captain Yawashita explained.

Sheridan's shock soon turned into anger. His face flushed with a reddened color.
["Damn it Yawashita, I said we needed proof of who was behind these attacks. The
Red Dragon should never have attempted to engage the enemy until after their
primary mission was completed and word was sent back to the Alliance."]

Senji nodded silently at the President's words. "Those were the orders given to
the Red Dragon mister President. I can only speculate that it was not possible
to carry out those orders for reasons I am not fully aware of at this present
time. But I do hope to learn more by studying the wreckage sir." Senji explained
in a diplomatic tone that exceeded his youthful appearance.

Sheridan calmed down slightly, realizing there was nothing more he or anyone
could do about this now. ["Very well. Carry out your investigation and try to
determine what happened to all of the Red Dragon Fighters. If you discover any
new evidence that links these attacks to the Centari, be sure to contact me
immediately. Is that clear Captain?"]

"Perfectly Mister President." Senji replied with a respectful Minbari like nod.

["Very well. Babylon 5 out."] Sheridan closed, deactivating the channel of
communication. The Bab-Com logo appeared for a second before the holographic
view screen dissolved out of the air.

Captain Yawashita leaned back into his chair and steepled his fingers just in
front of his face while leaning onto his desk with his elbows. Tapping the index
fingers together slightly as he thought, Senji let out a long sigh. "What
happened my friends. What really happened out there and who did this to you?" he
asked of the empty room.

*****

*** In a desert canyon on the planet Aloc ***

The blurry images of three darkened objects slowly spun overhead against a field
of white. Struggling to focus, N'Graz slowly does and can see that the dark
objects are some sort of winged creatures that are circling in the sky over
head.

Reaching up the Narn feels his head, quickly removing his hand and seeing it is
covered in blood from the gash near his temple. Disoriented, N'Graz tried to
move, to get to his feet, but notices that his leg has likewise suffered a major
injury. It is twisted to one side, and bleeding from where the jagged bone was
protruding through the skin. In pain he screamed, before deciding to again lay
still, not wishing to aggravate his broken leg further. A sense of urgency
pressed the seasoned Ranger, yet he was at a loss to remember why. Laying back,
he listened to the beating of his own heart between labored breaths as he
struggled to remember who he was and how he got in such a strange situation.

N'Graz looks at his clothing, it appears strange to him. A dark outfit with a
gray material paneling the chest. A strange pin sits over one of his breasts. A
shiny stone surrounded by two humanoids, neither of which appear to look like
himself. The medallion appears to be valuable, even important. When he runs a
finger over the stone the Narn just grows frustrated at his inability to
remember anything about it. Or why he is wearing it. Looking through the pockets
of the darkened garments he wears, N'Graz finds a small tubular object, palm
sized and shinny. It seems familiar to him, and yet he can't remember why. He
examines the shinny metal rod for a few minutes before he begins to grow queasy
and soon falls unconscious from his injuries. The Ranger's pike tumbling out of
his hand and rolling out onto the ground near by.

The buzzards continue to circle.

*****