From: Price Subject: Babylon 5: IA Sheridan - "The team room" & "Concluding the meeting" Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 13:37:22 -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. ***** "The team room" by Commander Kem Zaelea 9805.12 *** Team room, IA Sheridan *** Commander Zaelea watched as the crew members piled into the auditorium. Those interest in joining the group of Rangers that would be exploring Ganymede, began taking seats around the crescent shaped room. Kem felt a little awkward standing there and administering the meeting. Not only because she had just come on board the Sheridan a short while ago and barely knew half the faces in the room, but also because she was not a Ranger while nearly everyone on this ship was. She'd already slipped up a couple times using the wrong terms and such. Right now that was the biggest fear she had on her mind. Messing up in front of so many people. When what looked like the last of the Rangers entered the Team room, Zaelea motioned to Monroe to close the door so that they all could begin. Clearing her voice, Kem began. "Thank you all for coming. As you may already know, we are presently in hyperspace heading for Ganymede, the largest moon in orbit of the planet Jupiter. We have been ordered to go there to try and prove or disprove reports of a possible laboratory on the lunar surface." Kem paused as she glanced around the auditorium at those present. She was amazed at how focused the all were. Each Ranger was giving her their complete attention as she continued on. "Our primary objective is to ascertain if there is, or is not a laboratory on Ganymede and then to relay that information back to Babylon 5. After doing that, if there is a laboratory, we have been ordered to destroy it and any research materials located on the premises." Kem explained. Pausing, she again glanced around the auditorium. "It is a straight forward assignment. Simple in goals and objectives, but there will be a number of obstacles to overcome if we are to succeed. It is believed that this laboratory is being operated by the Psi-Corps. If that is true, we can anticipate there will be telepaths scanning over the complex to detect any intruders. That will be one of the biggest obstacles we will need to over come. That and locating a secret laboratory on a lunar surface three quarters the size of the planet Mars..." Kem explained. "Are there any questions?" Lennor was the first to raise a hand. Commander Zaelea turned to the Minbari Intelligence Officer and gave him a nod, "Yes Lennor, what is it?" she asked. Lennor lowered his hand and asked evenly, "What exactly is the Psi-Corps working on in the laboratory that would have us want to destroy it?" Kem smiled slightly. "That is a good question Lennor. What indeed is Psi-Corps doing in this laboratory?" she repeated so everyone could hear in the auditorium, "Our reports indicate that they are trying to create a synthetic virus that will only affect non-telepaths as a way of gaining galactic power over all those that are not like them. If these reports are true,..." Kem paused to emphasize her next point, "...and they may not be, then we have been ordered to report our findings to Babylon 5 and then to take out the laboratory. Psi-Corps can not be allowed to develop a genocidal virus of this sort." The Rangers glanced at one and other before another raided his hand. It was Ivan Bacht, one of the human Rangers. "Yes Ranger?" Commander Zaelea pointed. "If this virus that is supposedly being manufactured in this laboratory affects all non-telepaths, wouldn't that mean anyone other than a telepath would be putting themselves at risk if they go on this mission?" Ivan asked. Commander Kem was shaken by the question, but did her best to conceal the fact. Slowly she nodded her head, "Yes, there is a certain element of danger involved for both telepaths and non-telepaths alike. There is no denying that." she admitted. "But if these reports are true, we must do everything in our power to stop the development of this genocidal virus from ever leaving Ganymede. The consequences of failure are far too great to even consider. That is why this mission is on a strictly voluntary basis." Kem paused and watched Ranger Bacht, trying to determine if she answered his question to his satisfaction. When he didn't follow up her answer with another question, she assumed she had, moving on. "Our first order of business is to figure out a way to keep the Psi-Corps telepaths from detecting our reconnaissance team. They are sure to have at least a few telepaths patrolling the complex with telepathic scans. If they detect us before we are prepared, it will give the Psi-Corps too much time to react and would probably result in the loss of the team." Kem explained. Glancing around the room again, Kem continued. I have been speaking to Ranger Leron, who suggested the possibility of releasing some sort of sleeper agent to suppress telepathic abilities in the complex. I was also speaking to Antil'Alyt Pierce from Engineering. He was going to look into a possible technological solution to the problem. Ranger Pierce, have you come up with anything?" Commander Kem asked, glancing at the Chief Engineer. ***** *** Aloc *** N'Graz was doing extremely well. His leg was healing nicely, and the pounding pain in his head had ceased. But his memories still escaped him. The red eyed Narn was beginning to learn these peoples language. Simple words mostly. Water. Food. Sleep (or rest, he wasn't really sure which one they were speaking of.) This evening, Gatty, the little brow eyed girl that was so kind, seemed especially excited. N'Graz didn't understand why that was, but her good cheer made him feel better. Finally, N'Graz found out what Gatty was excited about. Into his room entered a robed man. "Wise one! Wise one, you came!" Gatty greeted in her native tongue. The priestly gentleman extended his hand and patted the child on her head. In his other hand was a long staff, curved on one end and nearly a meter and a half in length. "I did as I said I would child. Now come, show me your special guest." N'Graz watched as Gatty skipped to his side, leading this "Wise one" to his bed. The Narn watched as he stood a few feet away and took a hand and uncovered his hooded head. He had a full beard, and appeared to be humanoid with darkened skin. His eyes were large and seemed deep as N'Graz gazed into them. When he spoke, his tone was calming, almost musical. It soothed N'Graz, though he still could not understand what was being said. "He looks much better than the other day when I saw him. Has he spoken at all child?" the Wise one asked. "Oh yes! He is quite smart Wise one. He has spoken several words, though some I have never before heard used. He has.... names for things that are different then our own. Almost everything it seems has two names. Li ke reinta, he calls water." Gatty explained, "I think it's cute." She smiled. "There are many names child. And many languages. I believe this... person, speaks an entirely different language from our own. If he is as smart as you say, he may be compatible with the Quickening." The Wise one explained. "The Quickening? Do you think?!" Gatty exclaimed. The Wise one nodded. "Through the Quickening we can learn of his language and customs, and he ours. But now, he is too weak. He must fully heal before it can be attempted. Come child, He looks well enough to sit by the evening fire and listen to the tell with the rest of the settlers." Gatty smiled. "Oh boy! Will the others be jealous when they learn that I was the one who found him! And he may be Quickened when he gets better! I can't wait..." "Jealousy is not something one should be trying to promote child. Just take pleasure in knowing your actions saved this creatures life. That alone should be all the recognition you need." The Wise one explained. Gatty tried to suppress her smile while she nodded with rosy cheeks. "Un-hu. Of course Wise one... that is what I meant." She grinned. The Wise one regarded the little girl with a raised eye brow, doubting her sincerity. He then glanced at N'Graz and motioned with his staff, "I will see you tonight my friend, at the fireside telling." With a bow of his head, the priestly gentleman referred to as "the Wise one" covered his head with the hood of his robes and exited the room. Gatty was jubilant. She quickly went to leave after the Wise one had left but stopped and looked back at N'Graz who was still confused over the entire exchange. Not knowing their language very well, he got very little out of the conversation, other than the robed man is "the Wise one", and that Gatty was very happy. Turning around, Gatty grabbed a pitcher of water and carried it over to N'Graz table, filling his glass. "I have to go and tell Amile about this. She is going to be happy when she learns we saved you and that the Wise one wants to have you Quickened. You get to come and sit with us by the fire and listen to the tell. It's going to be great fun... you'll see!" Gatty explained hurriedly before putting the pitcher back down and going to leave. "I'll be back in a little while. Bye bye!" She then smiled widely and began skipping out of the room. Confused but content, N'Graz slowly began to sip at his glass of water and tried to remember who he is, or where he came from... "Team Room" by Dianne Heppel, AKA Ranger Leron Alien Specialist IA Sheridan 9805.13 Leron just spoke to Commander Zaelea about the Sleeper Agent. "Ranger Leron I am holding a briefing in the Team Room in Ten Minutes please be there" said Commander Zaelea. "No problem" replied Leron. Now in the Teamroom Commander Zaelea was explaining to the other Rangers the mission they are about to embark on, Leron listened carefully. "Concluding the meeting" by Commander Kem Zaelea 9805.14 The meeting was going well. It sounded like Ranger Pierce was very close to coming up with a way to shield the Rangers from the telepathic detection scans of the Psi-Corps. Zaelea gave her approval for the Antil'Alyt Engineer to work with Doctor Angel, who herself had some telepathic abilities. To gether, she was sure that they could come up with something that would help to protect the team. "Alyt, who will be leading the mission down to Ganymede?" Leron asked, gaining Zaelea's attention. He already knew the answer to the question before he asked, but wanted the others to know. Kem turned and looked at the Minbari Ranger. Leron was a alien cultural specialist. He was well educated and wise. Leron knew over a dozen different languages from the various worlds he'd visited and studied. That wisdom earned the Ranger a great deal of respect with the Commander. She paused momentarily. Not because she didn't want to answer the question, but because she really didn't know the answer. Captain Yawashita had not specified if she'd be going or not. "That is a good question..." the Commander stalled, "At this point, I..." Kem was cut off when Senji entered the team room. "Commander Zaelea will be remaining on board the Sheridan Leron. I will be leading the team down to Ganymede." Leron made a Minbari triangle with his hands, and bowed in the traditional salute to acknowledge the Shai'Alyt. Kem turned and gave Captain Yawashita a glance of disappointment. She'd hoped she would be leading the team. Indeed, the way she had worked to put the meeting together and get volunteers for the mission, sort of implied that she would be going. Now it seemed as if Captain Yawashita was pulling rank on her. The thought troubled Kem, though she bit her lip and didn't say anything. Senji seemed to pick up on the Commander's disappointment. Oddly it seemed to please the Captain, he had a sort of satisfied bend to the corners of his mouth and in his tone when he spoke. "How are things proceeding Commander?" "Ranger Pierce and Doctor Angel believe they can put together a device to shield out the teams thought patterns from routine telepathic scans. I've explained the dangers involved with this mission, and that it is a strictly volunteer mission." Kem explained. Her disappointment still seeping out in her tone and facial expression. Her face was expressionless, almost pouting. Senji gave a satisfied nod, glancing over the crowd of Rangers present in the auditorium. "And after you explained these dangers Commander, and told the Anla'Shok that this was a voluntary mission, how many decided to leave?" Commander Zaelea gave the Captain a stare, as if that was a strange question to ask. "None sir." "As it should be." Senji nodded knowingly, "We are in this for the one Commander. Where the one orders us, we will follow. Danger, even death is meaningless to the Anla'Shok." Kem got a sense that the Captain was trying to explain more than he was letting on. Like he was speaking in code or something, what with his 'fortune cookie' sentences, but whatever sort of meaning he was trying to infer was lost on her. Silently, she just shook her head as if she understood, since that was the thing to do when your Commanding officer gives you sagely advice you have no understanding of. Turning to address the Rangers around the crescent shaped auditorium, Captain Yawashita smiled. "Now that we know who will be going and who will not, we can begin making plans." Senji began. "The first order of business will be to find the location of this laboratory complex on the surface of Ganymede. I will be counting on Antil'Alyt Caple to use the Sheridan's sensors to accomplish that task. It is a likely possibility that this laboratory will be camouflaged, so our chief scientist definitely has his work cut out for him." Senji began. "Once we locate the site we believe to contain the laboratory, we will need to survey it and put together a plan of attack, so to speak. We will need a pilot to fly the transport down to the lunar surface," the Captain explained while glancing at Ranger Coghlan, "Richard, do you think you can handle that?" The Ranger nodded, "Of course Captain. I would be honored to." The Red Dragon pilot replied. "Good." Senji nodded, "When we first touch down, I want myself, Monroe and Leron to be the first ones out of the transport to secure the area. We should touch down several kilometers away from the target zone to insure Ranger Pierce and Doctor Angel have time to set up their telepathic counter measure devices. Then we can all move in." The rest of the Rangers listened to the Captain's plan. Kem stood by silently feeling like a third wheel in the large team room. In a way she felt as if she were truly an outsider in this crew of Rangers and it seemed Captain Senji Yawashita was doing everything in his power to reinforce that feeling. "That's it for now. We should know more when we reach the jump gate at Io and come out of hyperspace." Senji explained. "We will circle around the planet Jupiter and flare off into orbit around Ganymede to conceal our presence. With any luck, Ranger Caple will be able to detect the laboratory installation with relatively little effort. It's not like there are a whole lot of ecodomes down there that are large enough to hold a research laboratory of this sort." Senji explained before adding, "Dismissed." Everyone began to pile out of the team room to resume their present duties or go to work on the things needed for the upcoming mission. "Captain, can I have a word with you?" Commander Zaelea asked when the last of the Sheridan crew members had exited the auditorium. "I had a feeling you would want to Commander." Was the Captain's reply. The words made Kem frown. Not because of what he said, but the cavalier attitude in which he'd said them. Kem was certain Yawashita was enjoying this. "May I ask why I am not being allowed to lead this mission to Ganymede?" Commander Zaelea's attitude and tone were no nonsense. Senji raised a hand, as if to stop the Commander in her tracks. "It is nothing personal Commander. I just always lead the away missions on board this ship. And besides that, I want to do this for my own reasons." Kem crossed her arms and turned slightly, in an attempt to suppress her anger. It didn't work. "What reasons?!" she bit back, "Why don't you say it? You don't trust me Captain. You haven't since I came on board this vessel!" Kem wished she could grab the words back the moment she'd spoken them out of anger. But she couldn't. "That's not it at all Commander." Senji said evenly. "I admit, when you were first assigned to the ship by President Sheridan, I was not very open to the idea. But I had just lost my second in command on our maiden voyage. A good, long standing friend. I wasn't in the best of places at the time. Now..." Senji trailed off, his tone lightening just slightly as he reflected on what he was about to say, "..now, after the disaster with the Red Dragon Wing in Gaim space, I have to lead this team. It's the only way to insure that things won't go wrong." Kem regarded Captain Yawashita for a moment. He almost sounded, sincere... no, guilty, over the loss of the five Red Dragon pilots he sent to escort the Gaim freighter convoy in an attempt to bait out the mysterious attacker that have been stalking all freighter trade at the outer rim. "Your being there is no guarantee that things won't go wrong Captain." Kem pointed out. Captain Yawashita slowly nodded. "No, it won't. But it should guarantee that I don't loose another second in command Zaelea." Senji said flatly before turning to exit the team room. Commander Zaelea turned and watched the Captain walk away down the corridor. His silken, black, half cape billowing slightly with each powerful step, until he turned and disappeared down the adjoining corridor. Kem watched for a moment and thought about what the Captain had said. She then turned and glanced around the large, empty team room auditorium, realizing that she was totally alone.