From: Price Subject: Babylon 5: IA Sheridan - "Was good for Zathras" & "Final preparations" Date: Tue, 09 Jun 1998 16:20:39 -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. ***** "Was good for Zathras" by Commander Kem Zaelea 9805.18 *** Aloc *** The stars were out on the desert orange planet of Aloc. It was a time of gathering together with the settlers and sharing of each others company. Each night, the settlement people would build a great fire in the center of a place they called the speak easy. It was a time of relaxation, a time of sharing, a time of being with loved ones, friends and family. Such was the time tonight for N'Graz. Carefully he was aided out of the stone walled building he had spent the last several days in, recovering from his trauma tic injuries from the Red Dragon Fighter crash. His leg was still stiff with the wood splints and cloth the person referred to as "the wise one" had placed upon it to aid the mending of the broken bones. The red eyed Narn's head was still a little sore, but not so bad as it was a few days earlier. N'Graz memories still escaped him. He knew not who he was nor where he came from. The little curly hared girl held the Narn's hand while she helped Amile, her older sister, aid him to the speak easy. Gatty was walking proudly. Excitement radiated from her eyes because she was going to get to share her unusual friend with the rest of the members in the settlement. And they *had* become friends over the last few days. It was hard to explain, but the innocent girl somehow made N'Graz feel better just by her presence alone. She seemed unconcerned over adult matters like who he was, or where he came from like the other, older members of her people he'd met. No, Gatty was just thrilled to be with N'Graz for whatever reason that he had found her. The Narn carefully sat down, extending his bum leg and plopping down on the ground with a thud. Amile unrolled a blanket and placed it over N'Graz, allowing Gatty to tuck it in. N'Graz managed to sit near the front of the circular gathering place, not far from the fire. He could see a small, platform-like area that circled the fire like a bench, only wider. But it was much too low to sit on comfortably. Glancing around the speak easy, the Narn noticed hundreds of settlers gathering. All seemed to have a keen interest in N'Graz which made him feel most uncomfortable. But Gatty seemed to enjoy the extra attention it was bringing her. "Isn't this great? They all want to know about you! They have never seen anyone like you before in all of their lives." Gatty boasted cheerfully. N'Graz just gave a small nod, and smiled weakly at the child, pulling the blanket tighter around his body, as if trying to hide from the public display. Within a few minutes the back ground noise of the hundreds of people quieted to a hush. Looking around N'Graz could see the man in robes approaching. The one Gatty called 'the wise one'. All eyes followed him while he slowly walked to the center of the gathering and stepped up onto the small platform in front of the fire so all could see him. Uncovering his head he smiled. "We have a special guest here with us today." The wise one said looking at N'Graz and motioning with his hand, "We welcome you into our settlement. Each evening, when the sun lays down and the moon rises, we gather in this place and tell the tale of our people and of our beliefs. It is a time of closeness and of comfort. Of sharing and of giving. For together we make up the whole of what we are." The wise one said. N'Graz listened closely when the bearded one spoke. His voice was so soothing, so pleasant, that it was like being sung to by an angle. The Narn listened to the story of how these people, came to be on this planet. How they were colonists that wanted to discover a world of their own. How they landed and set up home on this world, Aloc, and planted their seeds and cultivated the soil to make them grow. N'Graz learned of their religion, how the wise ones are revered in their settlement as teachers and healers. He learned how they became to be regarded in such esteem. How each of the wise ones must undergo enlightenment by being subjected to the quickening, and once they do they become all knowing and all seeing in the ways of knowledge and medicine. Though some of the words were lost on the Narn, somehow the wise one's presentation and tone helped aid N'Graz to understanding in spite of the language differences. The wise one glanced at N'Graz and paused. "Tell me my friend, what is your name?" he beckoned with an open hand. N'Graz stared blankly at the robed profit and with saddened eyes stated, "I do not understand." The bearded elder paused, and then patted himself on the chest. "Wise one." He stated, and then beckoned at N'Graz for a reply. "I do not know." N'Graz stated with frustrated volume. The wise one smiled, and turned to the settlers, "Dunuto." He stated. The crowd began repeating the name. N'Graz glanced around and heard them chanting his new name. "Dunuto, Dunuto." Since he couldn't remember any other name for himself he nodded and patted his chest. "Dunuto". He agreed. The wise one smiled. "One day, when Dunuto is fully healed, he may be chosen to undergo enlightenment, and experience the quickening. At that time, his language and ours will be revealed to him so he may share in what he knows and celebrate with us in this settlement." The words were partially lost on N'Graz, who was looking at a smiling little girl stated next to her still chanting "Dunuto". But the tone in which the priest spoke and the general atmosphere of the speak easy made him feel he was among friends. So he smiled and tried his best to understand what it was the wise one was speaking of. ***** *** IA Sheridan *** "We are approaching the jumpgate near Io Captain." Commander Zaelea announced. Senji pulled himself out of his deep train of thought and meditation to glance over at the Commander. "Excellent. Make preparations to exit hyperspace and wrap around the far side of Jupiter Commander." Kem nodded, jogging her head at the Minbari Navigations officer, silently directing him to carry out the Shai'Alyt's orders. "Exit point calculated Commander." The Navigator stated. Soon the White Star class vessel was emerging from the psychedelic cascade of hyperspace colors and entering the star studded familiarity of real space. With a noticeable lunge of the Sheridan, the gravitational pull of the massive planetoid, Jupiter, was felt even through the artificial gravity generators. "Adjust course quickly Ranger." Captain Yawashita reminded, "I don't want anyone seeing us for any longer than necessary." With a sweeping inverted turn, the Sheridan rolled away from the jumpgate and quickly disappeared around the far side of Jupiter on her way to the lunar satellite Ganymede, site of the suspected Psi-Corps laboratory. "Commander, you should check on Ranger Caple's progress with the telepathic white noise generators. We will be in orbit of Ganymede in less than forty minutes." Captain Yawashita ordered. Kem nodded at the Captain, still a bit hurt that she would not be going on the away mission to the lunar surface to investigate the various ecodomes for the secret Psi-Corps installation. "Aye sir." she responded and walked down the ramp that exited the bridge on board this Minbari vessel. Kem walked quickly, but didn't have her mind on where she was going. It had only been a few days, but already, she was familiar enough with the simple design of the Minbari White Star Class that she didn't need to pay attention where she was going while her thoughts were on other matters like the away team and the disaster back at the Gaim convoy. Reaching in her pocket, Kem felt the data crystal that Ranger Ivan Bacht had given her from the last survey of the battle site. Ivan had thought that one of the ion trails showed some promise, but the recall back to the Sheridan had prevented further investigation. Kem pulled out the crystal and was looking at the powder blue data container when she plowed right into Zathras, sending both he and herself falling to the ground. "Uhug!" Kem expressed at the moment of the collision. Then realizing what had happened, she quickly asked, "Are you all right Zathras?" "Zathras think Zathras is fine. Zathras apologize. Zathras not mean to bump into Commander like that. Zathras sorry." The odd looking beast of burden said while sitting on the floor where he had landed after the collision. Kem shook her head, "No Zathras, it was my fault." Kem explained, "I wasn't watching where I was going. I was thinking about other matters and what happened back in Gaim space. I... should have been more careful." Zaelea explained, glancing around for the data crystal she was just holding before she dropped it. Zathras shook his head, "No, Zathras apologize. Zathras should have seen Commander coming and move out of way more quickly. Zathras sorry. Zathras not move as fast as once did. Zathras help Commander with things. Here, Zathras like to help." Kem looked and saw that Zathras held the data crystal she had just dropped. Smiling, she took it and examined it closely to verify it hadn't been damaged from the accident. While she glanced at it, Zathras slowly creaked his way up onto his rickety legs and stood up. "Zathras no worse for wear Commander. Zathras think fall good for back." He said stretching and popping his vertebrae with a rearward arch. "Yes. Zathras think that much better. Zathras thank Commander for fixing Zathras back." He smiled. Kem glanced up at the ogre-like janitor and couldn't help but smile. Here she was subjected to all of the pressures and worries of command and there was Zathras, a humble janitor who couldn't be happier with his place in the big picture. She enjoyed spending time with him not for who he was, but for how he was. "Well, I'm sorry for bumping into you Zathras, but if your back is better, then I am happy some good came out of my clumsiness." Kem reached with her hand and Zathras gladly grabbed it and helped the Commander up to her feet. "Zathras not mind at all. Commander can run into Zathras anytime. Was good for Zathras." He smiled. Blushing slightly at his joke, Kem pointed down the corridor, "Well, I need to go and check up on Ranger Caple's progress Zathras. Again I'm sorry." She said with sincere embarrassment before turning to walk down the corridor. Zathras watched the Commander walk away. "Zathras say bye now. Zathras see you later. Maybe eat bugs together later. Zathras like that." he smiled, grabbing his mop and utility cart and pushing it down an adjoining corridor. "Zathras can use juicy bug right now come to think of it..." his voice trailed off while he talks to himself. "Hello floor, how are you doing today? Zathras come to give you washing. Zathras like washing floor...." "Final preparations" by Commander Kem Zaelea 9805.22 The White Star Class IA Sheridan assumed a standard planetary orbit around Jupiter's largest lunar satellite, Ganymede. Antil'Alyt Scientist, Bob Caple, was busy using the Sheridan's scanner to search the scattered ecodomes on the surface of Ganymede, looking for one that was a likely candidate for the suspected Psi-Corps laboratory. Being a scientist, Caple knew that any sort of laboratory that could work on a virus of the kind Psi-Corps was suspected of doing, would be producing a lot of heat. More than the normal amount generated inside these ecodomes to allow for a comfortable living environment on the otherwise barren lunar surface of Jupiter's largest moon. "How is it coming Ranger Caple?" Commander Kem asked stepping over to the scientist station on the bridge of the Sheridan. Bob glanced up and back from the instrument he was monitoring. "Slow and tedious Commander." Caple explained. "Our scan resolution is less than one degree, and the surface of Ganymede is just 25% smaller than the planet Mars. Fortunately,.." the scientist added in a more reassuring tone, "I am familiar with the ecodomes used on Ganymede. I took the liberty of calling up the contractors blue prints from the Earth Alliance database. That should save us a lot of time scanning uninhabited areas of the lunar surface." Kem saw Caple point at the monitor at the adjoining station. A data crystal was plugged in and she could see detailed plans to the ecodomes that Caple was using to guide his search. Looking closer, she noticed that there appeared to be a lattice of connecting tunnels that interconnected all of the ecodomes. "What is this network of lines leading to each of the ecodomes Caple?" Kem asked. Stopping what he was doing, Bob came over and looked at what the Commander was pointing to. "Those are a series of subterranean access tunnels. They contain power conduits, communications optics, sewage and water feeds. You know, all the stuff no one wants to look at." The Ranger smiled. "Do you think there is enough room in these access ways for people to move between the domes?" Zaelea asked. The scientist scratched his chin. "I suppose there would have to be, since those systems would occasionally have to be serviced. I can't say if they are environmentally sound or not. The contract company that builds these types of ecodomes usually burrows the tunnels out of the native planet and lines them in concrete. I doubt there are any environmental controls or air ducts down there." Kem nodded. She was looking at the access ways as a possible opportunity for the away team. "Do you think we could use them to gain entrance to the Psi-Corps dome without being detected?" Caple's eyes brightened a little, "I see no reason why not. It's unlikely that anyone would be expecting someone to be utilizing those access ways. Very few people even know they are there." The Scientist's station began to sound off, bringing his attention back to his scans. After a moment of adjustments, he let out a slight whistle. "What is it?" Kem asked, stepping over to the other station to see. "Possibly our lab Commander. Mean temperature is nearly ninety two degrees compared to sixty seven degrees on most of the other domes. I'll mark this one as a possible site." Kem nodded. "Do that. We need to check the others out and then determine which one is the most likely target for this lab. I'm going to see the Captain and let him know about these access tunnels. I'm sure they will come in useful when the time comes." Caple gave a nod and watched as Commander Zaelea turned to exit the bridge. **** The Commander finally caught up with Captain Yawashita on the hangar deck. He and some of the other Rangers that were going down to the lunar surface were busy preparing the transport flyer. Ranger Coghlan was performing a preflight check, while Captain Yawashita was busy loading supplies into the flyer. "Captain, Ranger Caple believes he may have located a possible site for this secret laboratory on the lunar surface." Kem began, "He wants to continue the sensor sweep to be sure, but it looks promising sir." Senji continued loading the supplies into the flyer, not slowing down to glance at the Commander as he spoke. "That is good news. I am anxious to get started." "Sir, while watching Caple conduct the scans, I noticed that the ecodomes that cover the face of Ganymede are all interconnected by a series of subterranean access tunnels. I think we can use them to our advantage." Kem explained. Senji tossed another duffel bag full of supplies onto the flyer and then turned to look at Kem for the first time. "Interesting... please go on Commander." "These access ways are dug under ground and are used to supply each dome with power, communications, water, and other necessities. Caple thinks there should be enough room down there to move around, since those systems would occasionally have to be serviced. If you land the transport on one of the outlying domes, you should be able to use the access tunnels to get into the target dome without being detected from the surface." Kem explained. "An intriguing plan Commander. I believe that is an excellent idea. Assuming the access tunnels are not guarded, or booby trapped." Senji pointed out. The Captain then returned to loading up the flyer. Kem watched for a moment before she turned to leave. The Captain seemed to like the idea, though he wasn't exactly expressing it was great or anything. A little disappointed, Kem exited the hangar deck and began walking to the Dragon's Lair to take a break and relax before returning to the bridge. While she walked, Kem reached into her jacket pocket and felt the data crystal there. Pulling it out she examined it. It contained the information from the surveillance scans the Red Dragon had taken back at the site of the Gaim freighter attacks that had resulted in the loss of an entire wing of five Red Dragon Fighters. Tapping the crystal, she made it a point to check it out the next time she went up to the bridge. Ivan had said he found a faint trace of an ion trail that lead farther away from the battle sight than any of the others had, though the Sheridan's sudden recall had prevented Ranger Bacht from conducting a full investigation at the time. Kem entered the mystical, beautiful Dragon's Lair and was still amazed by the openness of the grand inn. Walking across the floor, she approached the counter and asked for a glass of lemonade from the Minbari host. Taking the glass, she sat down at a quiet table and took a sip, still examining the data crystal in her other hand. The 'Lair was not very busy at the moment. It was past lunch and not quite to supper time yet, which probably explained the lack of patrons. Commander Zaelea was thankful for the quiet time to herself. In a short while, Captain Yawashita and the rest of the infiltration team would be departing the Sheridan to embark on a mission while she and the rest of the Sheridan's crew would remain in orbit on Ganymede. Some how, that didn't seem very fair to Kem. But like always, she would do as she was told and follow the Captain's orders.