From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 1a Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 15:25:43 -0600 (MDT) ***************************************************************************** Greetings. This continues the epic saga begun in SHADE and SHADOW, the 2258 portion of the RIMSTALKER arc, which, for all intents and purposes, seeing how long this likely to get, can be considered as an introduction. For readers new to the story, it is recommended to start at "A Dark and Lonely Place" although I will do my best to update as the story continues... ***************************************************************************** Previously... Lieutenant Commander William Westcastle considered himself an ordinary serving officer in Earthforce until his dreadnought, the ATLANTA, was attacked and almost destroyed by the Shadows. Rescued by John Sheridan's AGAMEMNON, Westcastle finds himself transferred to the Rimfacing Earth Colony of Nighthawk, where, after the inquiry on the disaster is complete, he is allowed to settle in, and develops a camraderie with the Nighthawk Starfury leader, Lieutenant Jennifer Clifford, and, to a lesser extent, the Station CO, Commander Walther Gideon. All is not well, however, when Westcastle finds himself attacked once again by the Shadows, come in search of one of their ships and also serving another... Westcastle, Clifford and Gideon survive the attack with the aid of G'kael, a mysterious Narn serving unknown masters, and a unique alien by the name of..Zathras! Zathras explains that it is Westcastle's destiny to be the "Stalker", and Clifford's to be the "Observer"...and soon enough, the pair determine the meaning of these mysterious references. While is is Jennie's duty to dissapear, Westcastle and Gideon must, in the closing weeks of 2258, face up to the results of the Shadow attacks, which lead to them resigning from Earthforce and beginning the trek outwards to the edge of known human space to escape persecution at the hands of the conspiracy within Earth's government. Their first stop is at the transfer point at Io in the days around the New Year's turnover...where they meet up with Jennie, operating under a false identity...and in happenstance, witness the destruction of Earth Force One...and are so reminded that their destiny has been determined...their choices, not their own... And now....the story continues... ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL PART ONE "EUPHRATES CALLING", PHASE A "The conspiracy of Light was our last, best hope for survival, a scattered linking of knowledge in a universe of darkness and betrayal, based across a hundred worlds, but focussed on its heart, a place of peace turned haven from war. It was the Dawn of the Third Age...the year the Shadows revealed their faces to us all. It was the Earth Year 2259...and we found ourselves drawn to the Heart of the Resistance... The place called..Babylon 5." From the notes of Captain Jennifer Clifford, forever after known as the "Observer", from "Annotated Notes on the Last War of the Shadow" as published in the Earth Year 2290 ***************************************************************************** Earth Station Io...the first week of Jan 2259... The investigators swarmed over the wreckage orbiting Io, but they would be unable to determine anything more then was already known. An explosion had destroyed the personal ship of the President of the Earth Alliance; and the explosion, by all indicators available, appeared to be an accident. Vice President Clark, calling it "a great tragedy" but also lucky to be alive by the look of things, was well on his way to becoming the President of the Earth Alliance...and well on his way to putting his own stamp on the feel of the Alliance. Luis Santiago had in many respects been a smart man...but he had also managed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when it came down to it, and had paid the price for that mistake. The reaction to the disaster was immediate...frantic...and predictable. All the civilian freighters and merchantmen had tried to escape Earth system, and been blocked by several Omega class destroyers deployed from the Jovian Earthforce yards, until it became clear that the explosion HAD been an accident...apparently. No fingers could be pointed, no blame laid...and so, after more then fifty hours of blockading the gate, Earthforce was ordered to cease and desist...and a flood of ships subsequently escaped from Earth system. Some would have to wait their turn...one being a tiny, antiquated freighter that went by the name of STARDANCER... * * * Jan 8, 2259....just off the primary Grid Epsilon jump beacon...0610 hrs, E.S.T... The deep ruddy flashes and quantum irregularities of hyperspace flashed over Jennie's determined features. At last, at long last, she was approaching a place she had never been, never been assigned to, but had always wanted to visit. They were mere minutes from the jump beacon as it stood right now...and the delay at Io had in fact helped, since she had been able to get hold of a small but quite valuable cargo with the same destination the three crewmembers of the STARDANCER had wanted. The explosion of Earth Force 1 had only, it seemed, catalyzed William and Walther's determination to get out of Earth system, and to get as far from Earth as possible while missing all the colonies and finding a place where deals crawled out of every corner left only one spot...Babylon 5. Admitedly, they had another reason they wouldn't admit publicly. G'kael, in his parting comments, had hinted that if she ever got the chance, and was able to haul "your two companions by their ears" as the mysterious Narn had put it, that answers to some of their questions could be found at Babylon 5, if they perserved, and looked in the right places. The strange destinies that Zathras had informed them of rebounded in her mind.... Watcher...Observer, and Stalker....pursuer...finder of truths. It had taken a while to sink in, but here they were, away from Earth and all it stood for, away from her true identity, when it came down to it, all in aid of this mysterious "Conspiracy" that G'kael and Zathras served...a stand in the fight against the proven deadliness of the Shadows and their spider-like warships and unknown, but probably horrific plans... A beeping brought her back to reality, and she started. They were almost there. "William?" "Right here.." Jennie turned, and smiled as the centre of her heart(or so it now seemed!) dark haired, tall and thin as a blade, and now bristly bearded William Westcastle came onto the bridge of the STARDANCER. "Walher's still asleep, I didn't think it would be that good an idea to disturb him. Are we nearly there??" "You could say that..." she replied, as the beeping settled into a constant whine. "Thirty seconds to jump!" William sighed, chuckled morbidly, and strapped himself into the copilot's seat beside her. "Just goes to show how my jump sense has been shot to hell by recent events. There was a time when I could *feel* we were about to jump in the ATLANTA..." All of a sudden, hyperspace flared and twisted into a jump point ahead of the STARDANCER, and with the familiar barely heard roar, a twisted blue funnel leapt into being as they hurtled through the transition point. Within seconds, it seemed, the distant panorama of nebula filled space and a looming world expanded to real size...and then the gate was behind them. Ahead, against the ocher and yellow backdrop of the planet called Epsilon Three, a tiny, spinning, twinkling blue and silver world spun...an artificial world, but real just the same. Jennie smiled...and then, frowned. "William...there's an Omega parked next to Babylon 5!" "Ident...I'll be damned." "AGAMEMNON...this is just too weird. Twice in three months we run into that ship." "So the rumours were real, it seems. Commander Sinclair's been transferred...elsewhere..." "And...Captain Sheridan? The new commander?" William smiled. "Precisely. This makes things...interesting." Beneath Jennie's fingers, the comm system came online. "Babylon Control, this is Captain Zandar of the light freighter STARDANCER, requesting approach clearance." "STARDANCER, this is Babylon Control. Whoever *that* was, he sounded...well, happy to be where he was, if occasionally bored with routine! "We're dealing with two Narn heavy cargo haulers on their way into the docking bay right now, but you are cleared for initial approach. Note location of Destoyer AGAMEMNON on approach, do NOT deviate from your approach vector once assigned." "Understood, Babylon Control..." Jennie drawled, "They won't even notice us. STARDANCER...out." * * * Command and Control...Babylon 5... Lieutenant Junior Grade David Corwin turned and nodded politely as his superior, the sometimes caustic Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova, linked in to check on things. "Everything under control, Mr. Corwin?" "Absolutely. We're just dealing with light traffic at the moment...freighters...haulers...no problems." "Pray that continues, Mr. Corwin. We wouldn't, after all, want our new CO to think we can't handle...routine matters." Corwin winced. "Understood, Commander." As the Commander cut her link, Corwin turned and met the eyes of one of the techs in on deck, and nodded. He sure *hoped* that Captain Sheridan's arrival would put the Commander in a better mood... * * * Epsilon Three...The Great Machine... "Ah...Zathras told, Zathras was...Stalker and Observer, they come. Zathras does not lie...Zathras does good?" "Yes, yes, Zathras." Draal noted, nodding his head in half attentive politeness, one part of his mind on his companion, the rest, ranging with the Great Machine through the station far overhead, and out into the universe beyond. "We do what we must...when we must, Zathras. Things are moving in ways we expected...to a certain degree, of course. The plans set in motion by your brothers will eventually produce the results we need." "Yes, yes, Zathras told you this, he did..." * * * The gases of the Alien Sector slid around the encounter suit of Vorlon Ambassador Kosh, but he thought not of them, or of his surroundings. His mind ranged freely, listening to the song...partly of the medium, partly of his companion and transport, docked in the primitive bay nearby. The ship, in its song, had told of the arrival of a certain human vessel. The eye of Kosh's encounter suit widened as he drifted down the corridor. All was proceeding according to plan...and yet...things could as yet go wrong. Kosh was unwilling to let *that* happen at this stage...Delenn had not yet emerged...and other events were far from complete. It might even be necessary to take a greater hand in things relative to certain pieces in the game...but that was, as yet, far from certain... * * * "Welcome to Babylon 5." the security guard repeated. "Welcome..." Walther muttered. "Welcome to the end of the Galaxy..." and jumped when William reached out, and grabbed his shoulder, whirling him about...and then Walther jumped again, to see the naked fury on Westcastle's face! "Enough of this, in Valen's name!" What...the Hell?? ***************************************************************************** Next: EUPHRATES CALLING concludes...Westcastle's visions return with a vengeance...and more of what they mean is revealed! Westcastle meets with Sheridan...in a roundabout way, and Jennie's past comes back to haunt her in the strangest of places...coming soon... ***************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 1b Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 11:58:33 -0600 (MDT) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL PART ONE "EUPHRATES CALLING", PHASE B **"I found it hard to believe what Lennier was telling us at first...but he seems very sincere about it...and eventually, the meaning of his words became all too clear, as well as Delenn's insistence that the Minbari would have to reunite with the other side of their soul to defeat the Great Enemy...or *enemies*, as it ended up being. Sinclair did what he had to do when the time was right, but he wasn't alone in that...which, for the sake of those of us that survived, was probably a good thing..." Comments attributed to John Sheridan, as published in Emile Gauthier's "John Sheridan: The Man, the Myth" * * * Chronicles Log, Entry I, Jan 8, 2259...(remembrances) It wasn't Walther's fault, of course, but he certainly served as a catalyst to my actions and words that day. Ever since we left Earth Station Io, ever since Earth Force One had shattered itself in that infernal flower of death, my good companion had been getting more and more depressed, and was beginning to display that to any and all he encountered. What caused this?...very simple indeed. A combination of being shot at by an enemy he couldn't fight directly, becoming an accomplice to a plan he didn't fully believe in(although at the time he wasn't given any choice in the matter), and, despite having the situation explained to him by Zathras and G'kael, it seemed that Walther wasn't, as yet, tied to the same semi-mythical "destiny" that faced Jennie and I. He's the sort of person that will put the best face on things that he can, even when things turn for the worst, which they did, of course. And so, having faced the same personal disgrace of eviction from Earthforce and familial anger that I did, but not having anything to back him up other then following us, Mr. Gideon was acting like a ship without a rudder. And then he managed to say the wrong thing at the wrong time when I suffered what amounted to the flashback from hell. Let me clarify matters on this point. Back on the bridge of the ATLANTA, after the Shadows had virtually destroyed the ship and just about made me a dead man walking, I did a certain about of hallucinating in my injured, desperate, brain damaged state...saw things that didn't belong to my memories...visions of Earth that didn't EVEN fit with my homeworld's present condition. Afterwards, what with Bester and his associates poking around in my head, and facing duty at Nighthawk and the events that followed, I managed to put those desperate visions out of my mind. But Walther's comments on the entry promenade of Babylon 5 brought the visions back with a vengeance... And more... Laughing children under a blazing sky...glacier coated mountains under a brilliant yellow sun.... A raven haired young woman, diving into a glacially cold lake...knowing this first hand....the memory unknown, but true... Ground vehicles...archaic ground vehicles, on calm, tree lined streets...and less calm...a jarring crash...blood....crazed glass angles... Under a bowl of stars, the Galaxy a river of fire overhead... And worse....far worse.... Great fingers of crystal, against a different sky...a different sun... I faced Walther, lost in the visions, but hearing him at the same time, and spoke words I had never used before. I do not blame him for his ashen faced response, I did not understand what was happening to me. More understandable was Jennie's response, as I slowly keeled over, falling to the deck... * * * Medlab...Jan 9th, Morning... Jennie paced back and forth, as behind her, a grim faced Walther sat in silence. Not far away, William was laying unconscious, unchanged from his condition since he had passed out in the entry promenade. The things he had said...they just DIDN'T make sense!! In Valen's Name...that was a Minbari saying! Just...too weird. William had been a cadet during the Minbari War. He might have heard the saying, read about it someplace...but to actually say it...it was wrong...it wasn't like hime at all! A clearing of throat disturbed her pacing. "Miss Zandar?" "Yes?" It was the professional, short haired doctor who had admitted William...what was his name...Franklin?...yes, that was it. "How...is he doing, Doctor?" "Strange situation here, he just regained consciousness, and is asking for you. There doesn't seem to be really anything wrong with him, although his record seems to indicate he's been through some really close shaves with death and brain damage in the last six months...you have to understand, Miss Zandar, that that can affect a man, even after an apparently full recovery." "I know...he's...told me about those. Can I see him, please?" "Of course." All politeness, the doctor ushered her in, and she almost ran to William's bedside, where he now lay upright, a slight frown on his face...which vanished when she approached. His hand reached out, and she took hold of it gratefully. "Damn it, Will...don't do that to me...not now!" "I didn't...mean to...I though that was all behind me...I guess I was wrong." "What's behind you?" "I'll talk about it later, okay? First, I want to get something *real* to eat, and then you get to show me where our quarters are..." * * * The Garden....2330 hrs, Jan 9th... "Beautiful..." Jennie whispered, holding hard to William, as they looked up and around them at the vista of Babylon 5's interior. Shaded now to the twilight of the nightwatch, the tiny twinkling lights of buildings, light transports and the rest of the almost vertigo inducing interior of the Central Corridor, curved around the axis shuttle high overhead. A peaceful spot, this...and they had found it almost by accident! She swayed a little, and Will gripped her a little harder. It had been a long day...but she still had things to say...and ask. "Walther didn't want to come??" "No...he's still wrung out both by his depression and what happened to you. He decided that another good night's rest might help him get over things...plus, I don't think he really wants to face you right now." "Not surprising, since he helped touch off another..flashback." She raised one eyebrow. "Flashback?" "I didn't tell you on Nighthawk. In fact, I thought it was a result of the...attack on the ATLANTA, a hallunication induced by what happened to us out there. I guess I was wrong... It's weird...it's almost like I have memories that don't belong to me...things I haven't done, places I've never been. I don't know what to make of it...not yet, and I don't want to read too much into it either...it could always have been caused by my fall and injuries when the attack happened..." "And it could ALSO be important, Will. You know what...you know who said, about where we've been, and where we're going. ANYTHING could be important." "Maybe...we'll see." William sighed, and then gritted his teeth. "Okay, girl...off you go, before you fall asleep standing up." "Are you coming?" "Soon." * * * William sighed, and took a seat as Jennie vanished out the doorway. Secrets hid within secrets, and their path barely begun to what Zathras had indicated. What it all meant he didn't want to know just yet...but the visions beckoned on the edge of memory, and refused to go away... Enough. He had other things to deal with as well... A movement behind him, and William turned, and nodded. "Sir. Thank you for coming." * * * A yawn escaped from Jennie's mouth as she moved down the corridor towards her quarters. Would have to be quiet when she entered... The clink of a chain against the wall broke her reverie. She whirled, and almost snarled. Someone she had never expected to see again...someone she had thought dead long since! "Miss Zandar...or should I say the other name, and blow your cover to kingdom come??" "...Randar!" Randar smiled, and tapped his eyepatch, then ran a gloved hand over the mask that covered the right side of his face, and laughed. "Change the hair, change the clothes, add a scar, but you can't change the person. I heard you died..surprising how often that turns out to be wrong, isn't it?" "My Dad saw YOU *dead*, Randar! Dead and in vacuum!" "He never checked, girl...a terminal error, I'm sure. I have friends in higher places then *you* know...they told me things...important things about you and your friends...and if you want to survive, you had better ante up to the bargain your daddy and I made." "That bargain ended in the chase that destroyed your ship, Randar!! I owe you *nothing*!" Randar smiled, and tapped a signalcomm on his wrist. At both ends of the corridor, bullyboys like any of those Randar had hired over the years appeared. "Wrong answer, my dear. I will have what's mine...and if you spent it, then I will still have it...in blood, if necessary. You have ten seconds to comply." ***************************************************************************** Next: UNEXPECTED ALLIANCES... ***************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 2a Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 16:34:39 -0600 (MDT) RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL PART TWO "UNEXPECTED ALLIANCES", PHASE A ** "It was more then a surprise to see him there, in a place where no one knew me as I had been before Nighthawk, and I was striving to make myself a new life...a combination of conspiracy and absolution...trying to gain forgiveness for the mistakes of the past. And then *he* showed up...someone I was *convinced* I saw die almost twenty years before. Just went to show how badly our senses betray us sometimes...and that not all that happened in the universe is either visible...or understandable." You didn't make sure, I told myself in those fleeting seconds of fear...you were too young, you didn't make sure, and now it's caught up to you at last. And then...I was once again given to realize that not all the hidden players were of the, shall we say, chaos serving variety..." ** - from "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities" * * * April 14, 2240...Sector 750... "Damn him!" Angus Clifford roared, as his beloved ship, the CLARE, thunderously rocked under a trio of plasma bolts. "Told myself never to trust that man!...but *no*, Alias Randar *insisted* this would be the haul of a lifetime...and after all that we did for him, he tries *this*! Damn pirate!" "Enough, Angus!!" came a cry from behind, as the CLARE once again shook from a combination of impacts and the response of her guns to the foe. "You're already scaring the child, think, man! You can find a way out of this if you *think* about it!" Angus nodded bitterly, as his gaze wandered over the short reddish braids of his only child, Jennifer. If only Marie could have seen her now, eight years old, and if death came now, not a tear. Her eyes met his...it was clear enough she knew what was going on, and he nodded. Of course...damn his anger, and his foolish pride. There were friends waiting for him, in a place Randar would not be able to predict! Living friends...and others, obeying the orders of Newton, Einstein and Hawking!! "Aye, Mantrell...Rendar will not have our rightful cargo back this day...not if *I* have anything to say about it." Turning to his instruments, he smiled, and then bellowed, "Margo!" "Captain?" "Keep Randar on his toes back there, we need a little more time!" "Daddy?" "Yes, love?" "The bad men are chasing us again, aren't they?" Jennie's eyes widened a little as the CLARE shook violently, through a combination of blasts from Randar's pursuit vessels, and Angus's often violent maneuvers to escape further damage. Ahead of them, a small cluster of asteroids was growing in size. Now that Angus was focused on the task, evasive action AND bringing them in closer to the Widowmakers was an easy enough task... "Bad man is more like it, love. Randar is someone who doesn't give up on ideas quickly...and we made a bargain with him that we shouldn't have...." "What sort of bargain?" "Well, as you saw, love...there was a dead ship in Sector 780, a ship full of ores and computer things, very pricey this far out. So we helped haul his find out of the wreck, easy enough task, you say? It would've been, had Randar been an honest man. But he sees things his own way...he cheats men out of honest gains, and all for the love of profit. Fifty-Fifty became Ninety-Ten in his mind, and then all for him, and death for us, my love. But now...now, we will have his head for those practices." Angus concentrated on the view ahead...the fragments of the once enormous Widowmaker asteroid were quickly filling space around the CLARE with vicious, death dealing fragments. "We will have his head, and his life." "I don't like that, Daddy." "Neither do I, love..but someone has to take this man down, and if it has to be Angus Clifford who does the deed, then so be it!" It was then that Angus violently threw his ship into a hairpin spin around Widowmaker 9 and then close to the surface of the gravity locked mess of Widowmakers 34 and 35, less then two kilometres higher. Great clangs rang against the hull...but Angus was a far better pilot then Alias Randar ever had been in his heyday...and the inevitable followed... Death, as he saw it, was waiting for Randar that day. But for Angus Clifford, did ever victory come for as high a price?? * * * August 14, 2251....Beta Nine Colony... "It's over?" Paul asked. Jennie nodded, her face a mask of pain, the sea of red hair down her back waving in the low gravity. "It's over...damn him for the risks he took!...it killed him in the end." "He saved you from Randar...that man would've killed you in an instant, for all that you were only eight years old!! Him and his damn greed." "I...know. But I'm going to do what he wants me to, Paul. I'm...selling the CLARE, dealing away what little is left of our gains from *that* bargain, and using the proceeds to go to Earth..the Academy...and into the Force. Dad didn't want me to follow in his footsteps and reawaken the ghost of Alias Randar. I'll do that for him...I was close enough to doing it myself, but his wishes sealed the bargain." Paul nodded. He had had other plans for the lovely young redhead who stood determined before him, but to argue with her, and win, against such determination? Not possible...sadly. * * * Jan 9, 2259...Babylon 5, the Westcastle/Gideon quarters...2345 hrs... Walther Gideon was sleeping...he was sure of it...hoping it was so. Because Walther Gideon's ancient grandmother was rapping him on the head, just like she had when he was a child... "So wrapped up in your own petty pains, boy...you are an embarassment to our family!!" "But Gram!..." "Don't you dare, 'Gram' me, boy. I thought I taught you better then that. Friends. You have friends that need you...friends that need your help *now*. You have no time to be wrapped up in your grief and depression over things you have no control over. Act, boy!! Act and do what you can in your life!!" Walther shivered in the dream. Gram was frightening enough just angry, but *now* she almost seemed a figure of raging fire!...that's how angry she was, glowing eyes and all... It had to be a dream..but were dreams ever this real?? Or unreal...and devastatingly frightening?? "Go do your duty, boy!! Or by God, you'll get what you deserve!" Walther flinched as Gram raised her cane high...No... With a shock, he came awake. There was something he had to do...Walther hit the floor, ripping clothes from his bags. Something terrible was about to happen... Out of the corner of his eye, Gram leant on her cane and grimly nodded... * * * Jan 10th, 0010 hrs...outside the Alien sector... Silent and mysterious, Kosh moved through the living world, and through the dreams of others. He would do what he had to to see things through to the end. That had always been the way...it always would be. The others were rising again, despite all they had done to prevent it, and there were those who would not take that lightly *this* time. Kosh moved on. The songs of the youngsters played over him, and silently, unknowingly, some of the songs were altered...a miniscule amount...but needed, and correct. But now...now, a brilliant chord pulled him forward...a chord of desperation, of impossible fight against impossible odds. There was no choice, the outcome was one expected. He would abide by the rules of the game...but there was need in this song. And Kosh could not...would not...ignore that need. * * * 0020 hrs... Shock, and bitterness, played across Jennie's mind, in the instant of acknowledging what was before her...and behind her, and around her. Alias Randar, the demon of her family's existence, had returned...and both of those who might have helped her were far away. Even on Babylon 5 the human rythyms of night and day brought a cyclical silence to the station's corridors, and now, in this place, at this time, had Randar returned. Returned, it seemed, to erase the family that had maimed him and left him for dead, his armed hauler impaled on a iron spike of the Widowmaker over 20 years before... "There is no escape for you, my dear." Randar's lips twisted into a rictus grin. "Your father, the poor man, escaped from me in the arms of the Grim Reaper. Too bad...but it has been a long road, Jennifer Clifford, and it seems that you have little intention of returning to me what is rightfully mine. Very well." Randar motioned, and the dark-eyed, shabbily dressed bullyboys edged closer. "In blood, it is." Her eyes narrowed...so be it, then...if it was a fight Randar wanted, then a fight Randar would get! In a flash, two knives were in her hands...well carved knives, harder then any available in Human space...courtesy of G'kael and his men. It was enough to make her smile, to see Randar's one good eye widen, and then narrow in anger. "So...you think me easy prey, do you, Alias?? You surprised me, that much is true...but we don't shirk from fights...we never have. My father should have proven that to you on the bones of the Widowmaker." "Bah! We outnumber you multiples to one, girl. I will knaw on your bones and think of your dear father when I do..." Randar motioned curtly, and as one, his henchmen rushed forward, staves and blades in hand. A cold void filled her thoughts, as she tensed...raised her blades, and prepared in the mere seconds remaining to her. So far gone was she that she almost missed the moving mountain of shadow approaching out of the utility corridor behind Randar...a moving mountain with a single, cold..green eye... * * * The Garden...Ten Minutes before... "Fair enough. I think we're clear on the situation here. The network cannot...must not be compromised, and we all have our secrets, collected or otherwise." "Yes, sir." "I don't think, at this stage, that is necessary any longer, Mr. Westcastle. You're no longer in the Force, and any claims of rank I might have on you are null and void." "You saved my life...it will be...difficult to break the habit, I guess." A smile. "You should try, for your own sake at least, although I will agree that there are certain loyalties that go beyond signing on the dotted line. Know this, though, Mr. Westcastle...you will always be welcome on Babylon 5...although, something tells me you already have something on the go..." "More or less. Thank for your time...Captain." "Sheridan, go." "Captain..." "Yes, Lieutenant Commander? What's got you up at this hour?" Westcastle listened as the Captain's apparently ruthlessly efficient, and also seemingly terminally exhausted second in command rattled off a locational string...and then, something clicked. "Captain?" "Yes, Mr. Westcastle?" "That's...right outside our quarters." Oh Hell...Jennie... Seconds later, Captain John Sheridan was left alone in the Garden as his fellow Omega Network compatriot sprinted out of the Garden, at a dead run. Face grim, he turned to follow, and tapped his link. "Commander Ivanova.." A sigh. "Sir?" "I have a task for you..." * * * Gideon ran down the corridor, brushing the occasional interloper out of the way. Had to hurry...had to. Nearly running into that Drazi hadn't helped things either...the Drazi had tried to rip his clothes off, just about... *Hurry, you twit* Gram whispered from out of the corner of his eye, her frown ferocious... * * * 0029 hrs... "*Enough*" Everyone stopped in mid stride. Randar's head whipped around, and his one good eye widened impossibly wide. "What..." "*It cannot be allowed. We will not warn you again.*" "Kill her!" Randar screamed, as Jennie stared up in amazement as the moving bronze bulk of the Vorlon moved ever closer to Randar. "Ignore the Vorlon!...kill her!...I *WILL* have my revenge!" "*NO*" It was then that it happened, of course. Hirelings, when given a gun, will eventually decide to use it, and since Randar, their overseer, was controlling the money, it penetrated into the minds of the henchmen at that point that it might be a good idea for them to protect their boss. PPG blasts ripped out towards the Vorlon...and slightly before impact, seemed to rebound off the now seemingly Sinister encounter suit. The Vorlon's 'eye' narrowed...and at that moment, three seperate things happened almost simultaneously... Firstly, Walther Gideon sped around the corner, and rushed for Randar, face determined, arms raised and bunched in fists... "J..Celia!" came an all too familiar cry, and Jennie smiled, and looked over her shoulder as William rushed into view, and headed straight for her... Randar, of course, saw his last, best oppurtunity for revenge slipping away...and eye full of hate, decided to act... "**NO**" That said with finality, a barely seen buzzing ball of light sprang from the Vorlon's eye, and contacted the body of Randar in mid-leap. A cry of ultimate pain sprang from the pirate's lips, and impossibly, he twisted in mid-leap...and fell to his knees on the deck, at almost the same time Walther reached him, and with all the apparent power in him, slammed a fist against Randar's temple. The pirate collapsed. All around, the henchmen were backing away, their faces ashen...and then, almost as one...they turned to run... Jennie felt the tension leach out of her, just as William reached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Oh, God...!" "*It is done*" "Why?" "*The search has begun. It is done.*" Inscrutable, the Vorlon turned away...drifted into the darkness of the unlit corridor... And was gone. "That's...it?" Walther exclaimed. "What's 'it'" William demanded, as Jennie put a hand to her suddenly throbbing temple. "What happened?" She sighed. "Let me...explain...I'm probably the only one who can." "Will you?" "Will someone?" another voice demanded, as an dark haired, imperious woman in Earthforce blues approached the scene, security forces in tow. "It's been a long, *long* day, so let's try and keep this simple, shall we?" The woman cast a severe gaze across William and Walther. "Mister Gideon, I see you're back in trouble already. Not a promising start, is it?" "Who..is this?" Walther grimaced. "Celia, let me introduce Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova, who I had the honour of meeting when requisitioning quarters on this lovely station." "Who started this??" Commander Ivanova asked her, gaze pointed. "What with reports of Ambassador Kosh on the prowl for unknown reasons, and...forget it, you *don't* need to know. Explain." She grimaced, and poked the still unconscious Randar with her foot. "Quite simple...and convuluted at the same time. When I was younger, my father made a deal with this man...a deal that Alias Randar promptly broke...by trying to steal from us and kill us at the same time. We barely escaped with our lives...and my Dad eventually died from the wounds he took in that battle. I came near enough to the same fate." "An interesting story...Miss?.." "Zandar. Now...Commander, if you will forgive me, a man I thought long since dead turned up, and tried to kill me again. He's a ghost...a demon from the past..." "With all due respect..." "Yes, Commander?" "That will no longer be your concern." Face grim, Commander Ivanova passed orders to the security force. "This...man will be held in custody until we are able to determine the nature of his crimes, both past and present, and with your assistance, it is likely we will be able to extradite him off of the station and out of your lives quite permemantly, I assure you. *Now*, it has been a *long* day, both for you and for me, so I will bid you good evening, and suggest you do the same." Wisely enough, she kept her mouth shut, and watched William and Walther nod politely. Without further ado, the brusque second in command of Babylon 5 whisked down the corridor and out of sight, as the security detail, with a now moaning Randar in tow, vanished in another, appropriately different, direction... "I'd take exception to that order to go to bed if I knew her any better.." a now exhausted Walther muttered darkly, "Except I'm too tired to argue with her right now." "Right enough..." William replied, a twinkle just starting to appear in his eyes... * * * "An interesting trio, sir." "Interesting is putting it mildly, Commander. Might I suggest we keep an eye on them while they're here? Trouble seems to follow them around." "Well...put, sir." * * * ***************************************************************************** Next: Bargains Of Economy...More Shades from the past...and G'kael returns...as UNEXPECTED ALLIANCES concludes... From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 2b Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 12:10:32 -0600 (MDT) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII ***************************************************************************** Cleaning up loose ends...before the fun *really* starts... ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL PART TWO "UNEXPECTED ALLIANCES", PHASE B ** "...follow the signs marked back to the beginning..." Lyric from comptemporary 20th Century song * * * Chronicles Log, Entry II, Jan 12, 2259... It's ironic, but it seems that no matter how far you run, what you've left behind you always catches up to you. Walther ran from Earth to Babylon 5 to try and escape from his guilt over failing to control events he couldn't influence, Jennie ran away from her past...and look what happened. And I...I would like to run away from the holes in my head, but it doesn't look like the Universe is going to give any of us what we want. Time to bite the bullet. Walther's faced his guilt...and in the process of helping to save Jennie from Alias Randar, he found a way out of his depression, and is now looking into setting up a business on station...someplace down in that 'Zocalo' or so I understand. Rander gave Jennie the fright of her life, but she came out of that okay, also, and is now in the process of hiring on a crew for the STARDANCER. We have...an understanding, is the best way of putting it, but that understanding isn't going to stop her, now that she's exorcised the ghosts of the past, from forging ahead with merchant ties. She needs a little freedom right now...it would be a mistake for me to bar her from that... And that leaves me...Mister William Geoffrey Westcastle, a survivior with holes in his head, and alien memories to fill those holes. I don't like it...but I have to find out what it means... * * * Jan 13, 2259....Morning...The Zocalo... "J..." With firm, but gentle hand, Jennie laid a hand across the mouth of one of her father's oldest friends, and shook her head wearily. Saved by a Vorlon from a fate worse then death (she wasn't going to try and explain that to anyone, or even bring it up, for that matter) and now this happened! If things went on like they were, it would be *very* hard to maintain her cover...was there *any* part of her past that hadn't caught up with her yet?? "But J..." Lyamn Mantrell protested, shaking his near-white tail of hair in consternation. "Y..." In exasperation, she yanked Mantrell out of the main corridor, and into an almost empty side passage. "You just had to show up, didn't you?" she hissed. "Couldn't have been anyone else, could it?" "But..you're the one who broke up the crew...sold the CLARE..." "At the time...it was what *I* wanted...but *damnit*, Lyamn, it's not as simple as it looks!" To prove the point, she whipped out her ident card. "Read." Mantrell did...and a look of utter incomprehension appeared, and then deepened. "Celia Zandar? But..." "Lyamn...pay attention. Every once in a while, when I was little, Dad had to go underground...for reasons of his own...and sometimes reasons of survival. You change your name...change your looks, do what you *have* to do to get the job done and get on with your life. Well, Lyamn...!! something like that happened to me three months ago. According to the best records Earth has, the name you were just about to mention is attached to a lovely young redhead who was killed in Nighthawk system the middle of last October. She's dead...and now, I'm this person. Do you FOLLOW ME...Lyamn?" Lyamn's eyes narrowed. "Aye, that I do. I don't pretend to understand the reasoning behind it yet...but mayhap in time you will have due cause to explain. However...the matter at hand is clear. I have heard that a Miss Randar is putting together a tramp crew for her lovely ship...and friends of loved ones deserve protection, do they not?" She allowed herself to smile. The old rogue wouldn't give up...no, I guess that was a lost cause from the start. "I follow you. I guess I *do* need a engineer for the STARDANCER, rattletrap that she is.." "Fair enough, girl. Show me the way, and all being well, she will become less of a rattletrap as time goes on..." "Done...and done." Wary, but knowing, friend and friend's daughter shook hands. "Lyamn..." "Hhmm?" "Would you...by any chance...happen to know anyone else who might like to sign on??" A twinkle danced in Lyamn Mantrell's eyes. "Oh, I believe you *could* say that, girl...we might not make our current captain very happy, but you never do know who will pop out of the woodwork..." * * * Chronicles Log, Entry III, Jan 15, 2259... Is this a breakthrough? I don't yet know...but a year has begun to surface in my memories. 2003...is this year I must attach these memories to? And if so...what does this suggest? Nothing good, I must admit. I do NOT hold with the idea of rebirth...I have always held a little too much of a scientificly principled mind for *those* beliefs to have any hold over me. And yet...the memories aren't going away...and in some respects, are becoming more insistent as time goes on. 2003...a year of Fire...and Death. Yesterday, I talked to a Minbari...the first I have talked to in some time, given that EarthGov continues to be fairly hostile towards them even now. The conversation was...interesting...to say the least... And somehow...the topic of the memories came up... * * * Jan 18th, 2259...Interlude... G'kael received the message...and frowned. Events were *not* developing as planned. The three had become distracted by their pasts...distracted through interference by ghosts of their pasts. It was typical of the humans...tell them what was about to happen, and they would try to forget it...or forge on into past actions and lives. He sighed...certain forces should not have had to involved themselves, and the message more then served to explain this fact. It appeared that he would have to make the trek to Babylon 5 after all... * * * Next...Storm Warnings.... From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 3 Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 13:47:38 -0600 (MDT) *************************************************************************** Someone is about to get a rude awakening... *************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL PART THREE "STORM WARNINGS" Jan 26th, 2259...evening rotation... "Rumours..." William muttered, as he raised a chunk of processed meal to his lips...all they could afford at the moment. "Rumours of chaos...rumours of rebirth. Interesting how that seems to work, isn't it?" "I despise rumours...this is just plain ridiculous!" Jennie exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "Everyone's acting... unsettled...it's been almost two weeks since I hired him and the rest, and Lyamn STILL doesn't want us to leave dock, says 'it's not ready, it's not right', I say "Rimwards" and everyone starts acting like we're going to certain death!!" "Can you blame them?? Jen...after all that's happened to us...you know *damn* well what's out there...and I *know* you've been trying to ignore it...but you can't anymore. Acting like things are going to be the way they were before...before Nighthawk...you *can't*." "I want to leave...it's all this..." "I can't. You know why." "You're not making this easy..." "I'm sorry. But I'm not ready to go, even if *you* are." Abruptly, the door tone sounded, and William frowned. "Strange...Walther's working down in the Zocalo for at least another hour...are you expecting anyone?" "No...." Jennie whispered darkly, moving to the door. She opened it a fraction. "Who is it?" "I think you know very well who I am, Miss 'Zandar'!" a familiar voice barked from the far side of the door. "...G'kael?!?!" "Precisely. If you would be so kind as to let me in...we have a great deal to discuss!" Eyes now wide, Jennie stood, and the tall Narn, looking quite determined, pushed his way in, slamming the door behind. Critically, G'kael gazed around the quarters. "Things don't seem to be going very well for you at the moment, which is all for the good. Take a seat...NOW." "How dare you..." G'kael locked a flinty gaze on the outraged Jennie. "You assumed...quite wrongly what your course was going to be after meeting up with your companions at the Jovian Transfer station. You have acted on a mistaken belief of renewing a life you cannot possibly hope to recapture...AND, most importantly, you have neglected to think about the movements of your Enemies! Do you honestly believe they have stopped in their efforts?" "I...look!..." Jennie dropped her gaze from G'kael's narrowed eyes. "I..didn't want to think about it...I thought that...once we were able to make it here, everything would be alright...that everything would change. I guess...I was wrong in thinking that..." "Certain...*individuals* have expressed their displeasure at having to directly act in your benefit, even though they found it necessary at the time. You should not have left yourself so open to attack@..we *cannot* afford to lose you this early in the struggle...and in such a manner!..." "Oh really!...and just *how* DID Randar know where I was so easily? I'm having enough problems as it is without family ghosts coming back to haunt me!" G'kael nodded grimly. "That is understandable...and unfortunately, we do not know how Alias Randar came by his information... yet. However....I cannot allow you to make further mistakes of this nature. Think on this...and learn." G'kael turned his gaze to William at that point. "Mister Highcastle...I note that you do not seem surprised at the things I have said. Perhaps it is that there is something...stopping you from conviently forgetting what is to come, as was the case with your companion, here." "You have no idea...neither of you do." "Would you care to explain that comment, Mr. Westcastle??" "Do you want me to put it simply? It feels like someone...or worse, it might be several someones...left chunks of memory in my mind...it started back on the ATLANTA, after the Shadow attack...but just lately, it's been getting worse..." * * * Sometime later, G'kael had regained control of his temper...which was for the best. Maybe, just maybe, he had managed to press the point in time. From the abashed look on Jennifer's face, it seemed that for now, he had succeeded. Good enough. It pained him to be apart from his crew, away from the *N'blis*. But duties pressed, and the duties here were very nearly complete by the look of things... But this! This was *not* a duty....and unexpected. It meant something...something important, but neither he, nor, it seemed, William, understood what was going on yet... "So. It sounds very much like you've been busy elsewhere...in other lives before this. Very rare...but by G'quan, it has been known to happen before. Also...it can be the mark of importance. You already know some of your destiny...perhaps the two are intertwined." "That's a good answer, G'kael, perhaps too good. Okay, supposedly I have to start 'stalking' these Shadows sometime soon, but if the only resources I have are memories of past lives, then I haven't got a chance!" "Patience...friend." G'kael smiled...now they were getting somewhere. "There are...shall we say, orders that pass through the Galaxy, gathering information, doing what must be done to preserve the flow of history through the constant wrack of warfare. One such Order is currently passing through this station...if you hurry, and are polite, perhaps you can inquire of them an answer to your...problem." "This..Order...do they have a name?" "Of course. The *Technomages*." There was a sudden shocked silence, and then, all of a sudden, the slam of the compartment door revealed a harried looking Walther, who promptly became even more harried... "G'...kael?!??" "Good day, Mister Gideon. So nice of you to drop in..." G'kael turned his gaze to Westcastle once again. "Think!...explore your memories carefully, Mister Westcastle. We must know *exactly* how to explore, and if possible, solve this problem of yours before we approach those who can give you your answer!" * * * The next day... "So!..." Elric intoned, throwing his dark gaze over the group of people below him, "You bring these simple humans before me, Narn? Your communication described an unusual situation, and an unusual talent. I see nothing unusual about these humans. Explain!!" G'kael bowed. "Undoubtedly, we all have secrets, Master Technomage. But some have more secrets then most...and this man, one William Westcastle, is one such, Master. Those who have gone before have touched him, left their mark upon him." Elric frowned, and twin flames began to play in the air behind him. "Rare...but not unheard of. So, human...you say you have been touched? How?" Jennie listened, still a little chastened from G'kael's remarks the previous day...listened, and despite herself, became interested in what followed... William gritted his teeth and began. "It seems...I have lived three lives, Master Technomage. One who has gone before.....fought...and died. One who has lived a life in a summer beneath Mars, the planet of Fire...and died...terribly. And now, I live a life on the edge, threatened by darkness, threatened again by the deaths that haunt me. Beneath a great city of crystal, I watch the coming of War. Beneath a burning sky, I see the end of the innocence. What does it mean? What must I *DO* to make sense of these visions?" Elric inclined one eyebrow, and paused, fingers steepled in thought. "Interesting...and unusual." The technomage turned to G'kael, and nodded. "You were right to bring them before me, Narn. Be seated...everyone." "It is clear enough, Man of Earth, Man of War, that you are being warned, both by what has happened and what is to come. The lives you have lived, serve as warnings...warnings of disaster avoided, warnings of disaster met in challenge and bravery. You skirt...you *all* skirt on the edge of the coming Storm...the Storm that will envelop the Galaxy soon enough." "So...these memories...these lives...are guides." "Perhaps. What has happened, *has* happened for a reason, Man of Earth. Mistakes were made...mistakes that you and your comrades must avoid if you are to survive what is to come. But also...you describe something found only in one place...one world, throughout the known galaxy...it is clear you describe a city of the Minbari!" "What??" Jennie exclaimed. "Clear enough, Watcher, what this means." Jennie's mouth formed an O. "How do you..." "Unimportant. But HE, and by connection, all of YOU, have a connection to that world....and all too soon, you may be called upon in the greatest of needs to pilgrimage. It must be done...it cannot be argued with." Elric bowed, and prepared to turn away. "Go now...we must prepare...we ALL must prepare for the coming of the storm." Flames rose...and after the fireball rose and vanished...the Technomage was gone. * * * Jan 28th, 2259...the Docking Bay, early morning... "You're *what?* Lyamn exclaimed, his irritation plain. "You build the crew, have me repair the ship using your funds, and *now* you want me to HAVE the ship? Are you mad, girl??" "No...but things...have changed...again. All of a sudden, some friends helped me realize that I couldn't my old life back...no matter how hard I tried, no matter how hard I want it. I have to move on,Lyamn... put this phase of my life behind me. TAKE THE SHIP, use it for its intended purpose, and be well, knowing that I will be. My friends and I...we have different paths then you do." Lyamn shook his head regretfully. "But the promise!" "The promise stands. But for now, there are two warriors, and more, I pray, to come, standing at my side ready to protect me from the forces of evil, alright, friend! Do what what you can with her, Lyamn... this can only help to make up for what I did to you and the rest when I sold the CLARE." The grizzled engineer threw up his hands, and smiled. "Peace!...very well. I will not argue with you no more, we will go. But should you need us?..." "I will call...I swear." * * * Jan 29th... "And there they go..." Walther muttered, as he and William stood almost alone in the Sanctuary, and watched the ship of the Technomages flee into the bronze maw of the jump gate. "Ahead of the storm." William snorted. "Ahead of the darkness, ahead of the storm, leaving us to stand...and now we've had a path chosen for us, where will it take us, I wonder?? * * * "I tell you, G'kael!" G'kar exclaimed, as he and the Intelligence Operative sat down to meal. "They are out there.." "Could it be so, G'kar, my friend?" G'kael responded, his interest keen. "Could it be so, indeed??" ******************************************************************************* Next...things begin coming to a head in Downbelow as tensions continues to rise...and a prophet of the 'Age' to come has arisen. G'kael and Westcastle attempt to find a solution....AVATAR DOWNBELOW, coming all too soon... From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 4a Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 14:36:46 -0600 (MDT) Having wandered a slight bit off track, the Rimstalker Arc is *now* about to kick into high gear... ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL PART FOUR "AVATAR DOWNBELOW", PHASE A **" Among the greatest threats the faced the Army of Light during the early phases leading up to the War were the continuing depredations of the agents acting for the Shadows. Unseen, unnoticed, these forces of chaos, with their requisite keepers, moved freely and at will amidst the major governments and League of Non Aligned Worlds. How many there were in total is unclear, and will now never be known..."** Amanda Zefram Teague, "Holding the Line: A History of the Army of Light." * * * Feb 8, 2259...Babylon 5 DownBelow...Night Rotations... Brianna Tolmanes had just about reached the end of her rope. No money...no food...no work...no hope. The end was near...what other option was there? She raised a grimy hand to the wall behind her. A flickering light source revealed the Lurkers sleeping in untidy groups around her, in the half-constructed mess that was this part of what had ironically, she thought, been called Mankind's "Last, Best, Hope." This was the end. "Brianna." a voice murmured. "What?" she cried, and all around, murmurs of irritation responded. Rising, she dropped her blankets where they lay, and went in search of the voice. Music played in the distance, one of the grimy bars in DownBelow that went...all night, and all day. Hunger pangs eat at her...how could she have fallen this far? Rejected by her family. Rejected by the Academy...regardless of what she could do, she was wasting away, trapped in this place... "Brianna.." the voice called again, and she looked around, and jumped. This was a deserted, dangerous, barely used part of DownBelow, how could she have allowed herself to come here? "Who's...there?" "You know who I am..it will all come clear in a moment." Off to the side, a well dressed young man with a short beard stepped out of the shadows, and her eyes widened. It was Corrolan!!...Corrolan the dreamer, Corrolan the fool...and the explorer....and, lastly, once her friend...but hadn't he gone out to the rim with one of those expeditions? "I don't...why are you here?" Corrolan smiled. "Let us say I have...been away for a while...but now I'm back...for a reason. I knew you were here, Brianna...and I know that you don't believe life has treated you fairly. But now, I'm here to help make up for all that...if you'll only answer one question for me..." "A question?" "Yes." "What question?" "*What do you want?*" She frowned, as Corrolan's smile widened. "I don't...understand." "It's a simple enough question, my dear. *What do you want*?" "I.." Food. A living.....revenge. She screamed. "It's not fair!" "I know. What do you want?" "Revenge. The Academy...they rejected me...they ALL rejected me, it's not fair, it's not *right*!!" "You fell, Brianna...but you can get up again...I will help you. What do you WANT?" "I want it to CHANGE...I want it ALL to change!! I want them to PAY for what they did to me....to PAY for hurting me, I WANT REVENGE!! ...Does that answer your question?" Corrolan nodded, and continued to smile. "I would say, *so*, Brianna...oh yes." Brianna caught her breath, as the man who had been her friend only a short time before turned aside. What..what had brought that up? She wasn't normally so...forward, about things. Where had THAT anger come from? And then...a sound scraped down her skin...down her spine...and again. What? Corrolan stopped smiling...and then smiled again...a different smile. "We can give you what you want." And SOMETHING appeared from behind him... And then Brianna screamed.... ****************************************************************************** To be (definitely) continued!...(next week) "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 4b Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 13:06:46 -0600 (MDT) RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 4 "AVATAR DOWNBELOW", PHASE B **"How humiliating it was, I thought afterwards. Sure, we had survived, and moved on...and I was ready to take my ship out, and, I thought, watch for the return of the Shadows...when and *if* they came again. In hindsight, it is, of course, more then obvious that the shock of the Nighthawk attack was finally catching up to me, and I had suddenly intended to continue what had begun with my 'death' at Nighthawk. G'kael was more then correct to berate me, and what immediately followed only showed how wrong I had been... ....and then, with the Technomages, we began to focus ever more on William, and to realize that he was changing, we *all* were changing, far faster then we had originally realized. And then...another crisis came upon us..." A crisis named...Brianna Tolmanes..."** From "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities" * * * Feb 10, 2259...morning... * * * The enormous construct revolved, regardless of the events occurring within it and beyond its shell. Darkness stirred, while the turning continued. People lived...and died within its borders..in many different ways..some benign, some terrifying. The construct obeyed the laws of its contiuum, but sheltered within it beings who would create important events and happenings.. Events important enough to change the face of the galaxy forever... * * * It turned, out, finally, Walther considered, from his tiny stall just off the mainline of the Zocalo, that his old training in trade relations technologies was turning out to be the only bonus left to the group..and especially for him, after the debacle of G'kael tearing a strip off of Jennie a couple of weeks back. *Those two* and the Narn were now tighter then ever...and conducting mysterious investigations station-wide, after something or other they would tell him nothing about! Which, as usual, left Walther Gideon alone and on the outside. It was a situation he didn't like and didn't understand. It was *bad* enough that the knowledge of a malign, alien power returning after a thousand years couldn't be brought out into the open...(that had been drilled into him enough...and he *suspected* there was somebody watching him to make sure he obeyed those 'suggestions') but this almost abandonment by the others riled him. He needed an answer...*no*, he *deserved* an answer. Afterall, he had followed the other two to this place! No matter...he was doing well enough on his own, and if G'kael implied once in a while that maybe he should have been more focussed on the 'matters at hand', well, it didn't look like the matters at hand were interested in Walther Gideon. He shook his head and smiled. One of the Earth trade companies, having learned of his credentials and current location, and, more importantly(to him) loss of commission through 'bad luck' (or so they had said), had hired him on for a reasonable going rate. Things were going well enough...trade was brisk on Babylon 5, and Walther now saw it as his duty to keep the group in the black..and, more importantly, fed. So why worry? * * * From across the corridor, N'rothak slouched against a wall, and nodded grimly. Mr. Gideon was yet another of the Watched who were becoming far too set in their ways. His master had dealt with the biggest problem already...now it was up to him and his companions to deal with this one... * * * His face set in a smile, Corrolan sauntered through the Zocalo, and abruptly turned his head to look at a distant Walther Gideon, now deep in discussion with a pair of Drazi, and then nodded at something no one else around him could see. A faint sound like the rasp of pincers played through the air...a sound those around him frowned at, and then promptly ignored. "So..." Corrolan muttered, "A dangerous place to be in...a dangerous movement to play. I accept the challenge." * * * Twelve Hours Later... "Stay away from me, woman!!" Darybes cried. "I swear that I had nothing to do with that! And I *absolutely* want nothing to do with you!" "Your oaths mean *less* then nothing to me at the moment!" Brianna snarled, her eyes, to him, it seemed, almost...glowing. "What has come before means as nothing, what has happened is as dust before the glory of the Age to come. You thought to kill me...you know what happened, you have been deviling me in this place from the start. You think yourself a spider, don't you, Darybes? A spider in the darkness, plotting...manipulating... stealing...destroying what you cannot have or understand. In my former existence, I denied you. In this existence, you sought to destroy me again, using your pitiful tools. They are now dead, as I'm sure you realize. Know me now...spider!...I am *vengeance*!!...so do I pass judgement on the damned..so do I pass judgement on *you*. Know my name." "You are mad, woman!!" Brianna's smiled...a terrifying smile. "You have no idea what madness means...no idea at all. I will show you madness...and destruction. You are the beginning...only the start of what will be!" Darybes, eyes wide, turned to run...but Brianna was there ahead of him. What she had become, this Corrolan had given her. She *reached* out...and Darybes first screamed....then died... Brianna nodded. It was beginning...it had begun. "I reach out my hand..." she whispered, "And make them pay. They will *all* pay for what they have done to me." She turned, almost languidly, and drifted away. Behind her, unnoticed, a hatch fell open, and a young, quite disheveled man fell out. He scrambled to his feet..eyes wide. "She is come.." he whispered. "Must tell...must!" * * * Far above, inside his quarters, secure from view, Corrolan entered a note onto a datapad, and turned in interest, as a vaguely...spiderish shape shimmered into view for a second, rasped a sound, and then faded again. Corrolan nodded, and made another notation. The game was afoot... * * * Feb 13... "I have heard..." G'kael remarked, over his morning meal, "That there are things happening in Downbelow. The security forces of Babylon 5 are in a uproar...but this, I suspect, is nothing new." Will frowned, as nearby, Jennie hopelessly rolled her eyes...Terrific. "How much longer is this going to go on?" "Until *I* say otherwise, Westcastle." G'kael frowned at the bustle surrounding him, and then across at the distant booth of the already busy Walther Gideon. "A..surprising turn of events, and yet nothing new. Several denizens of Downbelow..a varied and apparently unconnected group, have begun dying in the past two days...a difficult, if not impossible path to track, against the general background of defeat, hopelessness and violence. However...we three have an advantage over the station Security forces...*we*, as I'm sure you realize, have strained over the past few weeks to discern signs of, shall we say, dark forces at work. One such has arrived." "Just...like that??" "Yes..and in a place they would not look for. Rumours have arrived of a...unusual, shall we say, persona...underground, and full of mystery. The rumours say, and I quote, 'The Avatar is come. The Avatar is Vengeance. The Avatar is Revenge'. Not widespread as of yet, but this will, no doubt, change if the situation is allowed to continue." "Sounds like typical Lurker nonsense.." Jennie muttered, "Discontent, trapped, far from home, no surprise they want someone to blame...someone to believe in. And yet..." "Note the meaning of the word 'avatar'...demigod, if you will, one possessing higher powers then the ordinary man, and able to pass judgement by his or her will. Not someone you would normally strive to encounter, as I'm sure you realize. But I believe in tests, and it would seem your tests are far from finished. Shall we go?" * * * "Mr. Gideon?" the voice inquired, and Walther looked up. "Yes?" "We are aware, to put it plainly, of your associations. One must *always* take advantage of situations that present themselves. We have...a proposition for you...a *deal* I'm sure your superiors will...approve of." *************************************************************************** Next..the conclusion: G'kael, Jennie and Westcastle encounter Brianna Tolmanes, the Avatar Downbelow, and change a destiny...while their own becomes far clearer as a result. Meanwhile, Gideon gets in over his head... ***************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 4c Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 14:43:42 -0700 (MST) ****************************************************************************************** More endings, and beginnings, and twists a plenty coming up. Some will have predicted these, some will, I hope, be surprised. And all being well, now that midterms are over, I can start pumping out the parts of this story a little more quickly... ****************************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 4 "AVATAR DOWNBELOW", PHASE C **"I want someone to help me chase the Shadows away."** -Fragment of popular Twentieth Century song Feb 13, 2259... Walther frowned, and made some notations, while, across from him, the trio of well dressed, smiling men kept their silence...and waited. "Mr. Vendant...I must admit this sounds too good to be true...but I've said that many a time before to many people and realized a handsome profit from the deal. Normally, you must realize, I try not to deal within my own government, there is, after all, much more money to be made through...avenues of interspecies trade..." Mr. Vendant, the apparently well composed leader of the trio, politely nodded. "We understand...but this is where the *real* money is made, Mr. Gideon, as I'm sure you realize. It easy enough to play it safe and trade goods and technologies through this place with the governments and companies of the League worlds, but the best money is made in places the human race has never been before...out on the Edge, things are more dangerous, but INFINTELY more profitable. The organization you work for will recognize the need for such transactions, I assure you." A sigh...despite what he knew, it seemed that Walther was done with that sort of thing...so despite what was out there...they couldn't be *everywhere*!...so why not? "What will this involve?" "Eminently simple, Mr. Gideon, I assure you. The...powers I work for, and their associates, need a trade lifeline to various companies on Earth to better faciliate their own economic efforts, and their are..shall we say, members of your own organization that welcome such efforts, and will, if you inquire, wholeheartedly agree with your choices. This will, unfortunately, take you away from your companions and this place occasionally...but this is, after all, about making your life a better one, Mr. Gideon...and that's what you want, isn't it??" A whirl of thoughts passed through his mind. It was all true, what Vendant was saying...and occasional trips from the Rim to Earth and back would take him through this place enough times to meet up with his friends on occasion. Gideon tapped his pad, and finalized the deal. Vendant simply smiled. * * * Chronicles Log, Entry III, February 13, 2259(remembrances) It was a hard decision for us to make, that week on Babylon 5, but it set in motion everything that followed. Walther *was* getting in over his head, but his was a different path then ours, and for a different reason. In the initial attack and what came after, he was never really given reason to believe what he had been told, even though it looked like he did initially. And to him, it finally looked like he found a purpose and a life again when Mr. Vendant and his team approached him. What it got him, eventually, was a direct line down into Hell... * * * In a rented room, slightly above the Zocalo, N'rothak and his companions met for another of their 'discussions' on their target, the Watched man, Walther Gideon. In actuality, it was N'rothak who was doing most of the talking...and occasional cracking of heads... "Events will spiral out of control if we are not careful! I did not turn my duties on the N'blis over to another just to see this thing we are doing destroyed because of your failings!" Another of the Narns snarled, and in one movement, N'rothak reached out with one arm, and with a barely seen motion, cracked his hand against the other's knife arm. The Narn cried out in pain. "*You* should know better then that!! It is in the rages of our kind that we are so often forced to fight battles we cannot win because of *poor* planning. You will do these things, or you will be dead! Is that CLEAR?" "N'rothak." "Ka'shael...make yourself heard." "The actions of G'reall do not reflect the rest of this team, Leader, but it is difficult sometimes to continue this while the dark minions of the Enemy worm their way into all those around us." "Your point is noted. Continue." "The grand majority of Narns know NOTHING of what is coming... but it is easy enough to see what will happen!! The Centauri are moving slowly against us...you MUST see that they wish to extuinguish our race!! And here we are, under orders from the Shipleader to Watch this man, and slowly move him towards a destiny we know nothing about? It does NOT make sense, N'rothak!! N'rothak nodded. "True...but knowing too much at this stage would equally be a disaster. It is enough, for now, for you to know that Walther Gideon has him own part to play in what is to come. We are to Watch him, and prevent his death, at all costs. It may be that he will deal with the Enemy...in fact, it may be that he will fall under the Enemy's thrall...for now, this cannot be determined. But regardless, the Shipleader and Zathras himself have told us that while Gideon must be left to his ways for now, eventually he will come back to us, perhaps with greater information then you suspect!! At the heart of it, Gideon is a good man, he is simply...lost for the moment. This will be corrected in due course. As for your other comments, Ka'shael, I cannot argue with your statements...but we can do NOTHING to aid our fleets in the battles to come, we are under oath to G'kael and higher powers then him to fight a different battle, by G'quan, to make our actions count!! It burns, but that is the way of things. The pattern is clear...the Centauri ambassador has fallen in with the Enemy, and is using them for his own ends..for now." "But!..." "No, Ka'shael, if we act NOW, we can only die. There will come a time when the Centauri will pay their price...when Mollari *himself* will pay the price for his dealings with darkness. We will have our victory, even should the Narn be bathed in blood from the struggles to come...we will *survive*, and have our victory! There is no other option open to us." * * * Feb 14, 0500 Station Local... G'kael leant against the wall near to the quarters of those he aided....and Watched, and nodded as he thought. He had stood aside from Westcastle and Clifford during the human year's end festivities and for a little while longer, and had returned just in time to guide them before things had gone wrong...thankfully enough. The intervention that had been required had been made up in tasks long since...both of his charges were nearly ready to take the next step. Interesting enough that he could not do the same...but it was not his province, that had been made very clear, to take that step. Shipleader G'kael, forever the middle man, doer of deeds, translator of actions. One more test was required of them before that step was made...and the advent of this *Avatar* would more then serve as the focus for that test. A drifting form caught his attention, and G'kael looked right, to see the towering form of the Vorlon Ambassador come into view. "All is in place." he murmured. "The moment is at hand." "##The need has guided them...the song has begun.##" "It has, Ambassador. The actions will be taken, as we promised." "##The two will become the three. The darkness awaits.## G'kael grimly nodded. Now was the time to move...or not at all. * * * Elsewhere, Corrolan sat alone. Or so it seemed. The events he had been guided to had begun..there was no turning back. Some movements he could not understand, or speculate on...but others he was allowed to evaluate. There were, it seemed, battle lines being drawn in mist...and it would take a long time for those battle lines to solidfy into view...that was the way of things. But trapped in between the lines, a group was beginning to form. And both players, for now, continued to obey the rules of the Game being played. If the group teetered his way, a great victory would be won, even from the jaws of defeat. If the movement failed, no matter...there were other pieces to play. Today's confrontation would decide the outcome of this movement. But another was already in the works... * * * 1115 hrs.... The body fell to the floor, and Brianna withdrew her hand. How could this be...stopped?? The rage was eating her up from the inside, and there was *nothing* she could do about it...everyone she saw was now the ENEMY, and was treated as such. The only way, it seemed, to control it now was to be alone... And what of REVENGE?? At first it *had* been enough just to make those who had mistreated her pay...but they were ALL dead now...and as expected, revenge was now no longer tasting quite sweet. Word of her had spread throughout DownBelow...this she knew. But Corrolan!!...what had HE done to her? What had he given her, for her to see that black on violet hallucination he had created to make her mad?? Brianna snarled...and the snarl became a sob. There was no escape from this death spiral. Any who approached her died...she couldn't control it anymore. They called her the Avatar of the what was to come...she HERSELF at the beginning had essentially named herself an Angel of destruction...an agent of chaos. Out of desperation and anger, she had chosen the unforgivable...and now, was there anything left outside of death? How had could she have been so foolish as to accept his offer? A clatter disturbed her thoughts, and in a flash of white-black-madness, all thoughts vanished...and she laughed, and rose. So!...so it was, they had come again!! Face her, fight her, would they?? They would all fail. They would be *destroyed*... * * * The Lurker nodded his head wildly at the three figures facing him, one Narn, and two humans, a harsh man with dark beard and a blond haired woman with a scar on her cheek...all in shimmery black cloaks, and as dangerous a group as he had ever seen...outside the mental darkness that waited in a corner of DownBelow the rest of his kind now avoided for fear of what waited there...a corner that moved throughout the population at random..and vanished when it was being searched for...a nightmare given form! But now, this trio, against all reason, were ACTIVELY seeking out the source of that chaos, the source of all the recent deaths....a source that the station security goons couldn't track at all...and *that* was driving their leader, the recently recovered Mr. Garibaldi, slowly up the wall!! They were insane...but they were paying...and that was enough for him. "We have to act on this quickly, you realize..." the bearded human curtly remarked, as they moved out. "This...Avatar must be stopped before things go any farther." "Yes, yes, of course...but...she kills..." "We all die..." the woman remarked, throwing back her hood, and giving him a stare. "In due course. But you claim, Wilkens, to be one of the best trackers in Downbelow...you CLAIM you can find the source of this chaos, when even the Security forces on this station cannot. This is why we are paying you...you *have* to find the Avatar for us....she HAS to be stopped before it's too late...for everyone!" "I..understand. This way, please..." * * * In the distance, a door opened. Wide-eyed, Brianna turned to run. This was..wrong!! They were an enemy, but something...some distant echo of responsibility was telling her otherwise...that the needs of the others were greater then her needs. The madness hammered at her... revenge..kill them!!...REVENGE... Her knees hit the deck, and she screamed.. * * * "Now!" G'kael barked, and as Wilkens stood aside, open mouthed, the trio moved forward at a run. "I have my information. The Avatar is most vulnerable when she is trying to fight the madness inflicted upon her by the Enemy...a madness that has killed far too many already." "Are you *sure* this is going to work?" "It *has* to, Westcastle, else we will not succeed, and indeed, we will all be likely to die. You see, the Avatar, whatever her real name is, is a *telepath*...an untrained, initially weak telepath that the Enemy refocussed to higher strengths in order to create fear and destruction in this place...perhaps as a test...a preliminary, probing test of the other side's abilities. However, this 'Avatar' can be elliminated as a problem *if* you can get her to touch you! She will, in the course of her madness, touch your mind...and at that point you *must* attempt to do what we have discussed." "With my...'visions'? Impossible!" "*Nothing* is impossible if you believe it can be done!" the Narn dryly replied. "Fine!...so I have fragments of two other lives trapped in my head, one human...and one, according to that Technomage, Minbari!!!...which is something I still have problems fathoming, but that's something to talk on another time...." "Sooner then you may think, I suspect." "*Whatever*!...now you tell me that if I can get this telepath to touch me, these visions of mine will have a positive effect on her! What the Hell is that all about??" "And I *won't* have you endanger him this way, G'kael!" Jennie added in, her eyes flashing. "We've done everything you've asked us to up to now, but this is going too far!" G'kael's eyes narrowed. "Do not presume to know what 'too far' is, Clifford...you haven't even begun to scratch the surface of your potential, either of you. If we succeed here, then there may be a next step... but for now, it is enough that you must *believe* this is possible!" "We'll see." And then, they rushed around a corner, and came face with a moaning, red haired woman on the deckplates...a woman who, between one second and the next, rose to face them, face snarling... No time to think...only to act. Beside him, Jennie screamed, and held her hands to her head... she was under attack! That was by far enough for him to make up his mind... it was act now, or not at all, and he leapt at the snarling woman, hands outstretched... * * * Too many targets...too determined...had to choose!! Mind violet with chaos, Brianna turned on the woman in the group, and focussed herself into the other's mind. But she was only begun when the man leapt at her, and there was no time to refocus...no time at all!! Not...fair...she wasn't done making them pay...wasn't.... The man reached her, and they fell to the deck together. Roughly, she turned in mid-fall, and harshly placed her hand against his head, as, beyond, the Narn moved to support the fall of the blonde-haired woman...she had *not* finished!...intolerable! Above her, the bearded man grunted, and focussed his eyes on her. She laughed, and began to stretch out with the madness in hand... And stopped. Something was...preventing her!! In the background, the madness yammered....destroy!...vengeance!!...DESTROY! The connection...something was...wrong. Brianna closed her eyes. Images...not....her own...life!! The madness shrieked...and faded against a cacaphony of images. [[Crystal fire...darkness living....fire undoing....lives unmaking....death unyielding...stop...stop it....STOP IT....you will pay for this...]] "Westcastle." she whispered...and fainted. * * * "She is unharmed." G'kael commented, as, beyond the fallen Avatar of Downbelow, Westcastle slowly stood up, his gaze black and threatening. "It was inevitable that the woman would focus her attentions on one of us...it would have been more difficult if it had been YOU." "That doesn't excuse your motives, G'kael!" "You may believe that if you wish, Westcastle...but we did what we had to do." Very slowly, the Narn rose, the still unconscious Jennie supported on one arm. "We have succeeded in our aims, but now, we must leave the area at once. Security will arrive, and I do not particularly want to explain our actions here to Mr. Garibaldi and his teams. I doubt they would believe us in any case." "What...happened?" "Your 'gifts' have succeeded in contacting the portion of her reborn soul that remembers the past, and in so doing, you have done away with the madness induced by those you call the Shadows...for now...and all being well, for good. She will not remember what has happened clearly, but she *will* remember us. She must be brought back to your quarters...believe it or not, we will need her in due course." "*WHAT!* You have us track down this *insane* woman, break her out of what appears to be a long string of telepathically induced murders, and now you want us to bring her back *to our quarters*! That's it!! I've had just about *enough* of this, G'kael!!" "Explain your comments!" Westcastle threw down his cloak in frustration. "Ever since you've returned, we've been running around the station at your beck and call, doing whatever you like, whenever you want us to. I think it's about TIME we had a little more input on the point of all this, before either of us are killed because we *don't Know ENOUGH!" "Are you sure about this, Westcastle?? VERY SURE?" "Damn right I'm sure!" "Even if it means abandoning Gideon, your other associate, to what *he* must do?" Westcastle thought...and then curtly nodded. "We were never close, just thrust together through a crisis of necessity. Yes, G'kael...even if it means *that*!" "Very good. You have proved to me that you are *willing* to put yourselves on the line, if not for our cause of the fight against the Enemy, then at least for each other, and in so doing, aiding the first. You are a *team*, and an important one in the battle to come...and is time, at last, for you to take the next step. Once Miss Clifford and..." G'kael pointed to the unconscious "Avatar" on the deck, "What is her name, by the way?" Westcastle frowned. "Tolmanes...Brianna Tolmanes." "Miss Tolmanes have recovered properly, which, all being well, will take no more then a day or so, you will be ready to make the next move." "The next move. I heard every word that Elric said, G'kael..." Westcastle commented, as he hoisted Brianna Tolmanes over his shoulder. "Would this next move involve us leaving the station by any chance?" "It would." "And where, perchance, will we be going??" "To a meeting...with a man who will lead you, help you, and define what is to come. To a world that lies at the heart of the struggle. To a place that time has forgotten, a center in the struggle to come... But first, there are...some small *details* to take care of here..." ****************************************************************************************** Next: Destiny's Call wraps up its first miniarc as Westcastle, Jennie and their new companion, the perhaps dangerous, perhaps still insane Brianna Tolmanes, leave the station, and take up the full challenge of what is to come, while G'kael, N'rothak and their team attempt to stop Gideon falling in with the darkness that is infiltrating the Earth Alliance before it is too late. "Changing the Pattern" A single phase part, coming soon... ****************************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 5 Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 16:30:59 -0700 (MST) RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 5 "CHANGES IN THE PATTERN" **"They came from all walks of life, from all disciplines, they came not knowing what drew them, only that there was something that needed to be done. They came...and they made themselves first watchers, and then warriors, and then the border patrol along the frontiers of what was to be. First in makeshift, archaic shuttles and transports, and then in their myriad ships of war, they would hold the key to changing the destinies of dozens of races, and in cataclysmic battles that will be remembered for hundreds of years to come, they helped to bring about a New Age..."** - quote from a Martian Newservice in the Earth Year 2264 * * * Feb 16, 2259... Rest was still needed for the two under his care...it was, unfortunately, taking longer then had been expected for Miss Tolmanes to make a full recovery. But G'kael was anything but impatient except when it was necessary. And he would wait until *ALL* three were ready to go. There was no other option...not now Westcastle and Clifford had made the choice he had wanted them to. Word had, however come down that what was intended had finally come about. This place, all being well, would, in time a purpose it had never been intended for...but that time was not yet. The Enemy...the Shadows, he supposed he could now openly call them, were still, most of the time, making preliminary moves behind the scenes. That would not last forever...but when the time came that the Shadows stretched forth their hand and sent their murderous ships between the stars once again, someone would be waiting to stand against them... * * * Feb 18th, 2259... "Where...am I?" the whisper came, and Jennie sprang to her feet. "Will! She's awake!!" "I'm on it!." came the reply, and Jennie watched, her expression tight, as the man she had come to treat as far more then just a friend approached the bed that this mystery, this cypher called Brianna Tolmanes was laying on. Irritably, she ran a hand back through her shag of blonde hair..finally *beginning* to get back to the length it had been before G'kael and his men had just about chopped it down to the scalp three months before. Never again...but she had railed on about *another* topic to *that* Narn the other day...the supposedly 'temporary' scar...wasn't! And now, *that* Narn had thrown another mess in their lap, and told them to 'deal' with the problem. What *exactly* the solution would be was another question entirely... "How do you feel...Brianna?" William asked, as the woman slowly put her feet to the floor and raised herself upright to face them. Tolmanes focussed on William's face, and her face twisted into an angry frown. "You! But..." The Anger faded away just as quickly, and honest puzzlement replaced it. "I..what have I been..." Tolmanes hid her face in her hands. "What have I done?" "Enough. We stopped it...both of us...you *and* me. But there is always a price for deeds of madness. And that you are a rogue telepath only made the madness worse. There are those who used you, amplified the worst in you, and drew out a falsehood...a thing of chaos." "Is that what I was...mad? But..." Brianna's head snapped up, and she fixed Will with a fiery gaze. "Corrolan!" she hissed. Jen narrowed her eyes, as William momentarily found himself at a loss for words. "Ah...who?" "He did this to me...him..and his...thing! I *trusted* him, and he betrayed all that I was...made me into a monster...and now..." Brianna's head whipped around. "You...don't trust me, do you? I don't blame you, after what I almost did to you...a second longer, and I could've *killed you* as well." It was enough for her to echo what had come before. "That may be as such, but there will be a price for what you have done...and not what you may believe. We are not judge, jury and executioner...you cannot, Miss Tolmanes, be so easily pardoned by me for what you have done. This was a crime of revenge...a crime of darkness...even bought on by what we have come to call, and what you apparently saw next to this man you used to trust...the Shadows." That stopped her cold. "That...thing next to Corrolan...it *HISSED* at me...and worse. It didn't even really *seem to be there*! What are these things...demons??" "It isn't that simple." Will interjected, his eyes flashing. "And some of the actions of these things are far easier, and far deadlier...and far more destructive. Their ships nearly killed both Jennifer and I... while you were attacked within your mind. And so, it comes down to this: while we have dedicated ourselves to tracking, observing and destroying these things wherever we can find them and in whatever manner is possible, you have a different destiny, and there can be no argument. We saved you from your madness...now you must *do as we say*...or, we could just as easily turn you over to Mr. Garibaldi and his team...or, alternately, the PsiCorp. Which option do you prefer??" Jennie shivered. William was being hard again...something she was seeing more and more of just lately. But at the same time, the leader in him was beginning to come out. This would be important in due course...she *knew* it would!! And the descriptions this woman was making. She shivered harder. It was inevitable that the Shadows themselves would *have* to look *something* like their ships. Meanwhile, Brianna, having gone whiter and whiter as each choice was listed out, had *quite quickly* made her choice. "So...call it a penance for what I've done here, in the name of these...Shadows??" "If you like." "So be it." the woman held her head high...higher, it seemed, then she had in a great long time. "I, Brianna Enyae Tolmanes, do swear to follow you, William Geoffrey Westcastle, in whatever endeavour you so choose, in order to work off my crimes of madness and chaos. Once I was a Lurker in this place...then an agent of Darkness, against my will...now I will work against these Shadows, in the years and the battles to come. I will assume that is your task, as well, else we would not be wasting valuable time here." Another amazing breakthrough...but Brianna had gotten right to the point!...and Will nodded, his face stern. "There can be no other option...not now, not ever...not after what the Shadows have done to Jennifer...and I...and you. We will stalk them, follow them, watch them...and when we can, destroy them. That is our destiny." "Then I follow you both..to the ends of the universe...if need be." * * * Feb 20th, 2259... It was a place of calm...a place of peace, in the face of the storm that was coming. There was absolutely no choices left any longer, and they would not be able to put off G'kael for much longer, either. Ever since the pivotal conversation with Brianna 36 hours before, a conversation where the rogue telepath had sworn herself into his service(that had surprised him in more then one way...but *oh* was he going to have to be careful with the situation) The Narn was becoming more and more insistent about them leaving...and in where they were going there was absolutely no option. Minbar...Elric had predicted it, after all. There were still loose ends to clear up here, however... William gazed up, and to the side, out of the windows of the Sanctuary. Less then 3 km beyond the glass walls, the absolutely staggering length of the Explorer Class vessel CORTEZ looked back at him. A vessel dedicated to exploring the Rim, the CORTEZ and her crew were dancing with the Devil. But of course, they didn't know that the Shadows were out there. William was afraid that everyone would find *that* out soon enough. There was a movement behind him, and William turned as Walther strode into the Sanctuary, a determined expression on his face... "You can't do this, Will!! This..obsesssion with those...things..it will destroy you!" "It's not an obsession, Walther...and I *do* have to do it...we all do. It's not enough for us to wait for it...because if we wait, it will be too late. We have to act now, Walther...I'm hoping I can change your mind enough for you to follow us too." "Follow 'us', you say? Don't you mean 'follow you?'" Will gritted his teeth. "That...was uncalled for." "Doesn't matter!... can see that I've wasted my time here. I'm far too easy making a new life for myself to want to run any longer...or search for vast conspiracies that probably don't even exist. I have to live *my own life* now, Will. I have to live my own LIFE!" Walther angrily turned and strode away, and William turned back to the glass, shaking his head in anger. It wasn't enough for him to remind Walther of what was coming, when Walther didn't want to see it...wanted, instead, to ignore it. He gripped his hand in frustration. "You appear to be...troubled." a soft voice inquired. "Troubled..." he replied, eyes now fixed on the distant stars. "Lady...you have no idea. And I probably have no business telling you in any case. I don't know you...you don't know me. No...I *definitely* have no business telling you about my troubles." "You have every reason to try." the voice replied. "In fact, I suspect that I know more about you then you might think." He whirled, as what at first appeared to be a elegantly dressed woman emerged from the side corridor leading into the Sanctuary...and then, he looked again, and saw his own misconceptions leap out into the open. "I..." He stopped, and tried again. "You know, of course. How much?" "Enough. Enough to know that you doing the right thing. Enough to believe that you will not fail in what you and those who stand with you and follow you are about to attempt. This is our first conversation, but I assure you, it will be far from the last, if your attempt succeeds." "And about..." A flash in those eyes. "Do not say their name!...it is not the time, or the place for that...yet. Go. Succeed. And we *will* talk again." And then she was gone. William shook his head in wonder...wonder that talking to her had been *so easy*. He had heard about her, of course, through 'covert' channels...but enough! Thoughts firm, he strode from the Sanctuary. The ties that bound him here were either coming along for the ride or had been shattered already. It was time.... * * * "He has great promise. You were right to suggest that I meet him at this time." "##Yes. They are the Three. They are the Darkness...they are the Light##" She frowned. "Then, they are going to the right place, it seems." * * * 12 hours later... "It is as I predicted." N'rothak harshly pointed out, as nearby, G'kael sourly looked over the reports. "Despite our best efforts, despite Zathras trying to warn him in his own way, Walther Gideon is succeeding quite admirably in his quest of Descent. The Shadows have him...and things will only get worse." "Gideon does not know what he is getting into. Perhaps it will come to pass that he will see what Vendant and the others represent." "It will be too late by then." N'rothak shook his head wearily. "So much *time* wasted. You assumed that he was to be one of the Three we were assigned to guide, G'kael. You were *wrong*." "Perhaps...perhaps not. It is, of course, unfortunate that Gideon will not play the role we intended for him, but he has a different destiny now. Two of the Three we were right about...and apart from those who control *ALL* destinies, regardless of whether or not they yet know it, *this* Three will play an equally important role. No matter....we will assign a small group of operatives to continue to observe Gideon in the months to come...should he realize that he is now working for the Shadows, we will give him an oppurtunity to redeem himself. In all else, we have succeeded. We have done what the Vorlon required of us...it is over...it is finished...it is done!" "Then we may return to the 'N'blis'??" "Of course. Did you truly believe I would abandon my other duties for long?" * * * 14 hours later... Walther shouldered his bag forcefully as he passed through the checkpoint. The Organization, beyond all hope, had seen that he was doing well. They had recalled him to Earth, travelling on a courier ship carrying cargo from Mr. Vendant and his associates. He was going *home*! * * * 17 hrs later... "How did it go?" Corrolan inquired, as, above and far forward, the pilot of their unremarkable, unnoticed ship prepared for the departure from Babylon 5. "As well as could be expected." Vendant replied, his trademark smile still in place. "Morden will be pleased with us, I hope?" "I would say so..." Corrolan mused, as, around the two men, a quartet of dark, sinister, spiderlike creatures began to shimmer into being. "I would say so...indeed." * * * "I am leaving this place!" Brianna exclaimed, as the trio moved down the corridor towards the cargo bay, the few possessions they owned in hand, or worn. Jennie scowled from beneath the hood of her black cloak, and Will shrugged, and turned to address their new, and now decidedly exuberant companion. "You are, Brianna. But remember, you will keep your promises, won't you?" "I will. No unauthorized scans. No lying. I told you, William, and I will not lie...I serve your cause willingly." "And for now I believe you." At that, Will switched his gaze to her. "Are you sure they'll be here?" "He promised. One good cargo run to check the 'old girl' out, or so he said, and then back to check on me. I'm holding him to his promise...we have to go somewhere, after all." Up ahead, a tall, grizzled figure hove into view, and Jennie smiled. "What a surprise...you're on time, after all!" "I heard word, girl, that you were leaving this tin can.." Lyamn Mantrell barked, his face beginning to crinkle into a grin. "On a 'mission', no less!" "I'm afraid so...and we're looking for a ride!" Jen announced, her eye beginning to sparkle. "What can you do for us...Captain??" **************************************************************************** Next: the three phase part "Sorrows of the Past, Burdens of the Future" begins as the Rimstalker, the Observer, and Brianna Tolmanes, as yet unsure of her destiny, but sure she is doing the right thing, arrive at Minbar to meet with the Man who will show them what is now to come for them all... The man named...Jeffrey Sinclair!! Coming Soon... **************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 6a Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997 15:03:34 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** Greetings. For those of you who have followed the story thus far, you are far from new to these characters, and perhaps it is now beginning to come clear where some of them may be going!! In any case, the story of the Rimstalker, the Observer, and their varied and sometimes familiar companions and contacts is about to enter a decidedly *different* phase...! ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 6 "SORROWS OF THE PAST, BURDENS OF THE FUTURE" PHASE I of III **"And so it was, that William, myself and what I initially thought of as the barely controlled if rescued nightmare, left Babylon 5 for what amounted to the unknown. Up to this point, we had tried to know exactly what was going on...so that there could be no more surprises...and once again, we were proven exactly how wrong we could be about our assumptions. G'kael, Elric and others had told us to go to Minbar, implied it at first, and then just about shouted it out in our faces...go to where you are needed...where you can learn what you must from the *man* who can teach you. A *man* on Minbar, you say? But of course, we should have figured it out right from the start who that man would have to be..all three of us had either been in Earthforce or tried to get in...we should have known, and from that, gained an understanding of what was to come next. Regardless of all that I've just said, our arrival on Minbar was more then sufficient to open our eyes..."** From: "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities" * * * Feb 22, 2259... A hand touched a comm toggle, and shortly therafter, a Minbari appeared on the screen. The Minbari's eyes widened briefly, and then he nodded. "So. I must assume that the effort you mentioned to me previously has succeeded, else this conversation would *not* be taking place." "Yes. These three *must* be able to reach Tunazor without delay.. there is *every* indication that they are crucial to the success of what is to come. They *must* reach Sinclair...he will know what is to be done...in due course." "Understood...Satai. Valen himself was distinctly clear on certain matters that would need to be discussed only with a *very* select group. I must therefore assume that those Valen called the Stalker and the Watcher are on board the vessel...STARDANCER, currently onroute to Homeworld from Babylon 5?" "They are." A sigh. "Ominous portents...but we will do what we must, in Valen's Name..." * * * Mar 5th, 2259...Minbar system... "About time..." William muttered, as the swirling blue radiance of the main gate to Minbar system snapped shut behind them. Over two weeks it had taken them to get here from Babylon 5...the route *had not* been direct, by any sense of the word...but the freighter, ancient design that she was, had to carefully ride the beacons from transfer gate to transfer gate...and nothing could stop her Captain from doing some trading and bargaining along the way... "Don't complain, lad!" Lyamn Mantrell barked, as Jen lifted herself out of the STARDANCER's copilot seat and drifted down towards him. "We're lucky we made it here at all, given the response I was *expecting* from the Minbari." "And what would that be, by any chance? A focussed beam of energy up your engine exhaust?" Mantrell grunted sourly, waved his hand, and turned away, while Will scowled. Jen shook her head. "You have to understand, Will...Lyamn and others of his generation have only too *good* a memory of the Minbari War. The closer we've gotten to Minbar, indeed, ever since we've passed into their territory, he's gotten glimpses of their warships, and it brings bad memories. He'll get us to where we need to be, and then...then, I guess he'll be gone back to Earth space as fast as he can manage." An interesting problem with no apparent solution. It was true enough that the Minbari had surrendered at the Battle of the Line 11 years before, and now he had a much better idea of *why* that might have been then he had before. The faint memories were tugging him forward...the memories of a life not his...a Minbari life, ended in destruction and betrayal. "Jennifer?" Lyamn barked. "I have news." Together, they entered the cockpit, and gazed down upon the bluish-white pearl of the Minbari homeworld, slowly growing ahead of them as the STARDANCER dropped down into its allotted orbit. "What news?" "Seems *someone* has been expecting you, lass, you and your friend here, and your...other companion." Lyamn's opinion of the for now reclusive telepath, Brianna Tolmanes, was far from high...he had never liked the idea of telepaths, or the PsiCorp, and rogues...well, for him, that was worse! "An atmospheric shuttle has been rerouted to take you down to their Capital...Yedor, I believe it is called." "How long?" "They say forty of *our* minutes to intercept...and then, I'm afraid, I must leave you again, Jennifer. I fulfilled my end of the deal, but this place, it..." "Shh, Lyamn...I *understand*!! No need to explain. We are the ones that have to be here...not you...we have things to do that you wouldn't understand." "You're right...I don't understand...but ever since we met back on Babylon 5, I've seen the secrets in your eyes, lass...but I won't ask you for them...I'm a noble enough fellow in that regard. You and your man do what you have to...that is enough for me." Jen nodded. It would have to be. * * * All three of them gazed about in wonder. There had been few other humans in the shuttle...most of them had seemed to look determined for some reason. Regardless of the fact, William found himself lost in a landscape both alien...and familiar to him, in ways he couldn't put a finger on. All around them, the crystalline towers and airy, well constructed buildings of Yedor shone under the brilliant white Minbari sun. And what were they to do now? Where were they to go, if they had to find Ambassador Sinclair?? "Excuse me...." a polite voice intruded, and as one, the three turned to see a Minbari approach. "You will have to forgive the delay, but we have been *very* busy this morning, and your arrival, while expected, caught us unprepared. Regardless of this, I have been given to understand that *you* are called William Westcastle, and *you*, Jennifer Clifford. My name is Tashann, and Ambassador Sinclair has sent me to convey you to his headquarters in the city of Tuzanor." "How is it..." Jennifer inquired, a frown of puzzlement on her face, "That we have been, as you say, expected? We sent no word ahead of us." "You did not...no." Tashann replied calmly. "I...see." Jennie turned her gaze to him, and he nodded. That was all the information he needed to know that Satai Delenn, Minbari Ambassador to Babylon 5, and the individual who had contacted him in the Sancutary on the station so many days before after the failed confrontation with Walther, had indeed sent word on ahead of their coming. "I..understand, and although we are not as yet quite *sure* why we are here, we know that it was the right thing to do...and we have been given reason to expect that we would be meeting with Ambassador Sinclair." "As is your right. Follow me, if you would. The wait until your meeting with the Ambassador will not be long." "I don't like this..." Brianna whispered to him, as the Minbari lead them to a ground transport. "The one thing I remember is that Minbari will never lie to you...but they can twist the truth into a know and make you see things you would ordinarily never see. I swore to follow you wherever you went, but I don't *know* yet what I'm supposed to be doing here, William! You and Jennifer don't seem to share this tendency, so *maybe* you can help me out here!!" He sighed. "I'll do my best...but no promises. This whole situation with Sinclair and Minbar is tied to us somehow, but until we find out exactly what is going on, maybe it's best not to *jump* to conclusions about our hosts!" "That's easy for you to say!" Brianna hissed. "You haven't been betrayed by those you once knew, by those you thought you trusted! *You* weren't used as a tool by those..." "Do not say that name in this place." Tashann cut in...not harshly, but to the point. "Once we reach Tuzanor, you will be given cause to discuss the situation with the Ambassador, but for now, Miss Tolmanes..I will not warn you again." "What *is* this?" Brianna pleaded to the air, but William gave her no answer. It would come down to someone explaining the situation to them soon enough...and he suspected that someone would be onetime Commander, and now Ambassador, Jeffrey Sinclair...a man he had been given reason to meet once before. But what the answer would *be* was another question entirely... * * * The man sat alone in the room with two others...they would tell him all he needed to know... "So...an interesting combination. We have a former Earthforce Lieutenant Commander and his companion, a former Earthforce Lieutenant. A interesting combination of 'formers'...but, then, I suspect they won't be the only ones to come to us before this is all over..but that is a matter to discuss another time. Then there is their companion...a initially weak, but now amplified, rogue telepath. The Shadows have displayed, shall we say, from what we have been able to determine, an unusual amount of interest in this group. It is a given that they are a focal point in the struggle to come." "We have no doubt of that at the moment." "But that isn't the whole story, is it? Tell me more, Rathenn." "As you wish. It is clear that these three share many qualities that could be desired within the ranks of the Anla'shok. The male, Westcastle, is a born leader, in more ways then one...it is apparent from our agent's communiques that like you, Sinclair, he may also share part of a Minbari soul...and a warrior's soul, at that. He has, it seems, dedicated himself to finding those who destroyed his commands...finding them, and stopping them from committing any further acts of violence against our races." "William Westcastle...I know the name, but I cannot place the face." Rathenn cleared his throat pointedly. "Then, we have the first female...Westcastle's companion. She is determined, able, and dedicated to standing at his side...a ideal combination for an aide to a warrior. She is clear on what has occurred, and accepting...and more importantly, she is an observer *born*. Once again, for reasons yet unclear, but clearly relative to her skills, the Vorlons have also given *her* a name...they call her..the Watcher. Finally, the most recent addition...and the most dangerous. The first two rescued her from the hands of the Great Enemy. She has sworn to follow Westcastle in all that he does and wherever he goes. Together, it is clear that given guidance, this Three will act as One...a more powerful grouping we have yet to find in the human recruits that have joined the Anla'shok to date. Warrior...Watcher and Follower." "It is enough, Rathenn...more then enough. Tell Tashann to bring them to this office...and if you wouldn't mind, I would like to talk to them.. Alone." * * * "Please be seated." Jennie shook her head, still not quite believing that this was happening. Within a single year, she had been given reason to meet two of the most influential mid-level officers in Earthforce, the current commander of Babylon 5...and now, the former commander!! Jeffrey Sinclair was just as pleasant in person as he had seemed in the few broadcasts she had seen in the past two years regarding Babylon 5. And now he was here...but things were *not* as expected, for Ambassador Sinclair, if he *was still* Ambassador, was now wearing *distinctly* non-Human clothes...indeed, they could be called Minbari...and seemed to share *many* tendencies with clothing she had seen on several Minbari and humans seen their arrival in Tuzanor... A lightbulb went on. Could be it some sort of...uniform?? And if so...what organization was Sinclair a part of? Jennie abruptly dragged herself away from her thoughts...Sinclair was speaking, and it sounded relatively important... "I welcome you here today, and am glad to see that you have survived what has assailed you over the last few months. It has been a great struggle, and a long path...but you have succeeded in it, and that shows great resolve." Sinclair briefly met each of their gazes, and then went on. "You have come to this place, not knowing why you have come, but only that you had to. You were guided to it, showed the path, and eventually, you accepted that it was the right choice to make. To me, as leader of this organization, falls the task of explaining why you came, what you should be doing...and indeed, what has to come next, if you are to join with us...join with the Anla'shok, what you would call...the Rangers." Of...course! It only made sense that those mysterious *someones* who knew about the Shadows and their motives would have prepared a response to their return...Jennie listened on, now quite eagerly... "Firstly, and this applies most clearly to you, William Westcastle. We are not an instrument of revenge against those who have hurt you so badly. That is not the way we operate...those are not the actions we support. Those looking for revenge against the Shadows are not welcome here..we are instead dedicated to preventing further destruction, not wreaking it. The Enemy may destroy whole colonies and outposts without mercy, but that is not our way." Beside her, William had taken in all of it without pause, and just as quickly, nodded in reply, his eyes downcast. "I understand...sir." Sinclair raised his eyebrows, nodded in return, and then turned to her. "Secondly, as long as the Shadows operate on the fringes of galactic society, it will be necessary for us to have Rangers watching...waiting, collecting data on their movements, and going where others dare not. It is my understanding, Miss Clifford, that you have displayed an inherent talent for remembering, noting down, and catologing important discoveries, events, and happenings. This is also valuable to us, and we will take your services without pause, should you feel it is right to join us at this time." "Yes, sir!" "Very well. As members of the Rangers, you will be helping to preserve all that is and will be, and most importantly, life itself...even the lives of the Enemy, if possible...this goal comes to us from the writings of the Ranger's founder, the great Minbari leader, Valen. We are not looking to destroy the Enemy and his fleets, only to defeat his courses of action. We must never forget that they are living beings also, however distorted and evil they may appear. You will be taught to fight as soldiers, all of you...this training will serve to supplement what Earthforce gave to us all in its time of need. You will be taught to be the best at it because a War is coming...a War that none of us want, but a War we cannot avoid because the Enemy will not have it any other way. But that is not all you will be taught; you will also be taught how to achieve our purposes without committing violent acts, and where possible, this will take precedence, even should you find yourselves in danger of losing your lives in the doing of your tasks." Sinclair stood, his gaze stern. "Should you feel that you are unable to follow this code of conduct, we will not stop you from leaving this place...but once you leave, you may never return. Miss Tolmanes...if you to be a member of the Rangers, will *you* have any problems with following these strictures?" Brianna jumped at being addressed directly, but then her gaze hardened. "With all due respect, sir...it is more...complicated then that. May I have your permission to discuss what..the Shadows did to me, with the others present...and how they saved me from the Darkness?" Okay, here we go...maybe *now* they'd finally hear the rest of Brianna's story...or at least the part she hadn't wanted to tell *them*! Sinclair nodded. "Please...proceed." "After I fell from the Academy, I fell for a long, long time...bitterness digs a deep hole in your soul if you let it get in...and I didn't even try to stop that from happening. I fell so far that the bitterness took over...and the Shadows, acting through a man I thought I knew and trusted..once...took that bitterness and pushed it over the edge into madness...the madness of chaos..of revenge, and of murder. Then...William and Jennifer..." Brianna quickly looked over at her, and of a sudden, Jennie suddenly realized there could be no more then two sides in this war...they *had* to be all on the same side!..."They acted to save me, and pulled be back to the side of Right...even though this caused them to once again face the Hells of their own pasts, their own trials! They acted to save me because it was *right*, sir!! And so, I tell you this: Yes, I *will* live by your code, I will do what *must* be done to stop the Shadows...to end the menace..to do the *right thing*...to use all of my resources to *stop* them..before it is too late for us all." There was a pause...and then Sinclair smiled. "Very well." Tashann, now dressed similarly to Sinclair in what she now assumed was the uniform of the Rangers, re-entered the room, and Sinclair nodded to him. "You have more then convinced me that all three of you will, once you have completed your training, be among the finest of the human Rangers. There is a storm coming, but as long as you stand, as long as the Rangers stand against that storm, then the Shadows will not be allowed to succeed in their aims. There is no other option open to us." * * * William let out a great breath as they left Sinclair's office under Tashann's direction. It had gone well...in fact, it had gone better then it should have..and in his opinion, only Sinclair could have pulled it off the way that he did. Not only had he focussed each of them on the primary tasks they would be conducting once they had become Rangers, he had also acted to immediately make them part of the 'team.' William nodded to himself, his expression now pensive. Everyone would have to work together, or the Rangers would fail in their mission...that was *completely* clear to him. "Unbelievable!" Jennie exclaimed, as nearby, Tashann gazed at her with interest. "How long did you say you've been preparing for their return?" "One thousand years, Miss Clifford, since the great Valen saw fit to create us....one thousand years since the Great Enemy was last defeated in battle by the combined forces of the Armies of Light. We have waited...we have watched...and now that the Shadows have returned, the Anla'shok will once again stand against them. I am greatly pleased that our leader saw fit to extend the invitation of entry to you...but then, I suppose, there was never really any doubt in the matter...you will do well...you will *all* do well. But for now, the process is barely begun. I will take you into the compound, show you where your quarters are, and for now, you will be allowed to rest and contemplate upon your choices in coming here and joining us. Tomorrow, however...tomorrow, the *real* training will begin." * * * "Kind of them..." Jennie whispered, as she laid against Will's chest later that night, "For them to give us quarters big enough for two." "And a boon." "How so?" "Jen..you heard Sinclair...there's a War coming...a War that more then likely will make the Earth-Minbari War seem puny by comparison. We have to take every moment we can, while we can. Because, one day...there might not be a *next* day...for any of us." At that, Jennie's head came up, her eyes sparkling with irritation. "Well...NOW you're just being morbid!" "Am I really? Sooner or later, the Rangers and all the other worlds will have to band together to face the Shadows, and then, there will be open War." "If you go on much longer...I'm going to get upset!!" He sighed..she was right. For now, it was best to ignore what was to come, and simply live for the moment...for now. "Guess I should stop, then..." "Yes...you *should*." "And what would it take to get you back in a good mood?" Jennie smiled. * * * It was not long before dawn, but Brianna had endured a long and mostly sleepless night. The Ranger Compound was still far more empty then she liked, and silent, and movements were few and far between at this hour. Throwing on a thick, deep gray cloak that had been provided by the Minbari Rangers, she moved out of the Barrack and onto the ledge outside, overlooking the valley below. The enormous snowy mountains around Tuzanor stood out against the starry sky and were partially illuminated by one of Minbar's smaller moons, now going down in the west. The wind caught at her hair, and she absently brushed it back. Today, Tashann had said, it would all begin. What 'it' consisted of he had neglected to inform them, only that they should be ready to rise with the sun and begin their training. Admittedly, it was currently *far* before that, but sleep had eluded her for hours now... And now...*something* was drawing her out...to look down on the valley of Sorrows, in the failing light of the setting moon..but what?? Distracted as she was, she almost didn't catch the moving bulk of darkness approaching her, until it opened its single, red, iris eye...and then she whirled... "Wha..?" "#Needed.#" Oh Hell. A *Vorlon*? "What do you..." "##Never ask that question##" O...kay. Brianna took a deep breath, *tried* not to look directly at the Vorlon, and started again. "I...did you call me?" "#Yes#" "Why?" "#You are the darkness born. You will be the second, not the first#" The Vorlon turned, and began to drift away. "What the *Hell* is that supposed to mean" she cried. The Vorlon twisted in mid glide, and its eye opened fully. "##LEARN##!" * * * The sun bit its way through Brianna's eyelids, and she tried to force coherent thoughts through her mind. What was.. "Brianna...are you okay?" "Wha...Will?" She opened her eyes fully...and jumped off of the bench she had been laying on. The sun was coming up over the eastern mountains....that meant she had lost at *least* three hours!! But...the Vorlon...it... Brianna found out, quite abruptly, that she couldn't say a word. "Yes...I'm fine." "Okay...just seems to be a bit of a strange place to sleep to me." "You...sleep where you can once you've had my experiences, Will. I believe, however, that the sun has risen...Tashann will be waiting for us, will he not??" * * * Elsewhere, Ulkesh Naranek observed the compound silently...and unseen. It had begun... **************************************************************************** Next: It is the end of March 2259, and the long hand of the Shadows is about to descend across the length of the Galaxy. While Westcastle, Jennie and Brianna train themselves in the ways of the Rangers, the growing Narn-Centauri conflict finally touches the lives of G'kael and his crew...in a rather unpleasant way...coming on Monday... **************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 6b Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 12:04:24 -0700 (MST) RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 6 "SORROWS OF THE PAST, BURDENS OF THE FUTURE" PHASE II of III **"It was, by nature, a torturous and twisted path that Westcastle and his slowly growing cadre followed to the truth. From the eventually doomed world of Nighthawk to Earth, through Babylon 5, and finally to Minbar...where they either found, or were found by, the Rangers and Jeffrey Sinclair. The events that occurred on Minbar are mostly unclear, but what IS clear is that three months after their arrival, William Westcastle, his lover and their allies emerged from their seclusion, and did begin again their personal war against the Shadows, as members of..." ** From: "Holding the Line: A History of the Army of Light..." * * * Mar 21, 2259...Ranger Compound, Tuzanor, Minbar...Sunset. The mediation continued. A bitter wind whipped against the ancient stone and glass of the barracks behind him, but William paid no attention to that distraction, or to the cold that sank into his bones. Far to the west, the great sun of Minbar, barely dimmed by its clear atmosphere, touched the fiery crags of the western Mountains. He did not move from his pose on the stone step, nor did he acknowledge those near to him...that was not the way. Contemplation of what was, what is, and what will be...that is what he had been told by Tashann...and that is the way it would be. The dark, thick cloak he wore protected him from the elements...and so, gaze unwavering, he watched the sun contract to a spark against the far peaks...and just for an instant, before it was gone, a flare of green flashed from between the teeth of two disparate mountain peaks...and then was gone. Interesting...only the second time in his life that he had seen the green flash...but then, so *much* of his life had been spent away from Earth...it was not surprising. The meditation continued...as he turned to acknowledge the eastern sky, where the curving shadow of Minbar itself was already beginning to rise in the east. William nodded, his black eyes tight. In between the Darkness and the Light, there existed the Shadows...only at this time, in the cusp of the twilight, could that be seen...and acknowledged. A brief moment, and so easily lost. Already, the light was beginning to fade in the west, and overhead, the brilliant sparks of orbiting Minbari installations and war cruisers were beginning to emerge against the firmament. It was enough. Without a sound, he rose from the bench, and gazed towards the stars. Thirty feet away along the parapet, he saw Jennifer do the same. It was often the case that they found themselves drawn to this place at sunset, to observe what he had just observed. It was humbling... but in that, he could find both peace, and a focus for what was to come... "You do yourselves justice by attempting this thing...at this time, day after day.." a calm voice intruded, and as one, William and Jennifer whirled to face the intruder...and then, as one, knelt and bowed to the hooded observer...from the clothing style, a Satai of the Grey Council! "And yet, there is a purpose...a reasoning to every thing, and I believe I understand *what* it is you attempt...and applaud your efforts." "You..do us honour, Satai." Jennie whispered, her mass of blonde hair nearly escaping from the hood of the cloak she wore. "We came to this place, seeking focus for what we knew already. We come to *this* place to acknowledge the path of that focus." The lips of the Satai briefly tightened, and then he nodded. "Of course...there can be no escaping what is to come...the others do not choose to acknowledge this as of yet...but that is of no matter...there will come a time when they will be given no choice." "I do not...understand your reference, Satai." "That is no concern of yours, I say what I will...when I will, to who I choose...you will both understand the meaning in due course. For now...understand *this*...while you have both displayed an admirable amount of focus on what is and what is to come, you must *continue* to develop your dedication. Your mutual pasts, and certain...instructions have lead you to believe that you are invulnerable..that all you do is right. I must, unfortunately, seek to disabuse you of these concepts." Almost by magic, a staff appeared in the Minbari's hand, and Jennie's mouth opened wide, while William grimly nodded. So...it continued, as Sinclair had all but implied. It was the duty of a Ranger to be ready for all that was to be, to prepare for every conceivable option in battle. His Love had yet to learn that lesson properly. He bowed, and just as swiftly, drew his own staff from the voluminus folds of his own cloak...and then, dispensed with the cloak altogether, revealing the utilitarian clothes they all wore as trainees underneath. "So...you learn...slowly, Westcastle. And now, you must, of course, seek to protect your companion from my assault." The Minbari circled, his staff lightly held in hand...at the ready. "If you are to be counted among us, young human female, you must forever be at the ready...else you will pay for the mistake with your very life!" With that harsh statement, the Minbari leapt forward, and William moved to meet him. With a decisive crack, their staffs met, while behind him, Jennie slowly moved away, her gaze uncertain...but definitive. She knew what mistake she had made...but now how to escape from the situation? William tightened his grip, and continued his defence against the admirable skills of the Minbari facing him..*was* this a Satai of the Warrior Caste??...and if so, *why* was he displaying this much interest in them?? A pretty problem. The battle continued, and as it continued, William realized that while he was acclaimed good with the staff through his EarthForce training, compared to the Minbari, his skills were lacking. Eventually, his opponent would catch him out, it was just a matter of time... Abruptly, the Minbari changed stances, and William's legs went flying out from underneath him, and he crashed to the stones. Looking up, face grim, he nodded, as the Minbari warrior squarely placed his staff against his throat. "Your point..is well taken, Satai." "I would hope so, young human...you have *yet* much to learn." The Minbari backed away, allowing William to get to his feet. "An admirable defence, if flawed...but you, both of *you* will, I assume, learn from your mistakes tonight??" The Minbari shifted his gaze pointedly to a most uncomfortable Jennifer. "Especially yours, girl. *Never* must you be without weapon, while the Anla'shok strive to attain a peaceful conclusion to most efforts, sooner or *later*, you *must* be ready to call upon your warrior skills. Never forget this!... Never. We will speak again...in due course." Without a further word, the Minbari turned, and vanished into the darkness. William let out a long breath, and bent to reclaim his cloak. A harsh lesson...indeed, he had never gotten a good look at the Satai's face, to determine if it was one who had visited the compound as of yet. Rathenn he knew, and Hedronn...and of course, Delenn...but of the other 6, there was no clue... That was, of course, the way they wanted it. * * * "I am, frankly, astonished that you would bow to that level, to test the upstart humans." "I have heard, through my contacts, that this particular pair have displayed great talent. As I determined this evening, they do indeed possess that which was rumoured...but it is unfocused...harsh...indefinitive. They as yet have far to go..." "They did not recognize you, or see your face?" "No, although there were a number of times in combat where I could have given Westcastle a chance for that." A bitter smile. "The time will come, soon enough, when we will meet again, him and I. And at that time, *if* this *new* Anla'shok under Sinclair is to succeed, we will meet with bare faces, and know one another. That is the way of things.." * * * Mar 24, 2259... "You saw into my soul..." Brianna commented wryly, as the lessons broke for the day, and the various trainees streamed out into the light rain that was falling upon the compound that day. "And I into yours." "You say that so easily..." "Oh come *on*, William, we both know it to be true!! And it's about time you finally came to terms with what you are...you're too burdened with the past, as if the present and the future weren't enough!!" "I can't escape from my past...any of my pasts. The visions won't let me...as you should know." "Ah yes...the *great* visions of William Westcastle. I will admit they saved my life...*but*, why is it you have to fall back on that crutch all the time?? Isn't it *enough* for you to accept that the visions are you..and you are the visions? You are, from what I understand of your visions, three in one, a very sacreligious and important number to the Minbari. I don't even *have* to make scans to figure that out!!" At that, William turned on Brianna sharply. "Please tell me that you haven't been breaking your promises?" "You should know *better* then to ask that, William...I gave you oath!!...isn't that enough??" He sighed. "It will be...given enough time...and trust, Brianna. They tell us that while we learn from history, we also learn from each other, and I find I am becoming less and less inflexible on certain points...this should be one, I guess." Looking interested, Brianna sat down on a nearby step, and motioned him over. "Go on...tell me more." "I..dont mean to intrude on what happened to you during that period before we rescued you...." Brianna turned somber. "It's not an intrusion...it seems we both have private demons to exorcise. I suspect that...my demons will take longer to get rid of then yours, however...she briefly touched his hand, and he winced... Nodding at him, she took the hand away. "Agreed. Back to..." He laughed a dirgeful laugh. "My demons. When you touched my mind...back on Babylon 5...did you...see anything of my visions...more clearly then I've said already??" "Did I..." Brianna laughed, and shook her head. "It took you *this* long to ask me!!...but I don't blame you for that, Will...and I don't blame you for avoiding this as long as possible, either. Yes, I did see something of what you were...far more then I wanted to...or still remember. It was almost a deluge of memories..the memories of three men...you and the two others. It drove my madness away...defeated it, you might say...ore even defeated the Shadows in whatever plan they were seeking to foster. And now...now, you want to know. Are you *sure*?" "Very." Brianna nodded, as if to say, 'at last'...William on the other hand, could not help but feel a lump of ice begin to form in his gut. This was it...Brianna, a Shadow-boosted telepath made mad for their own unknowable and uncompleted aims and ends, was about to cut his secret wide open... And all he had to have done was ask.. * * * "Balance!" Dreann insisted, backing away as Jennie fell to her kness, breath gasping out from the mild blow the Minbari Ranger had inflicted. "Jennifer...if you cannot maintain your balance, you will never achieve your full abilities. Balance, above all, is one of the most necessary traits in the fighting warrior. Not only are you unbalanced, but you extend yourself constantly, and let your guard down. A seasoned fighter will catch you off guard, be it with staff, or pike, or energy weapon, and you will have let William down...you will have let *everyone* down." "You make it...look easy. I'm sure..that being born...in a society where battle skills are honed from birth has helped you." Dreann's eyes narrowed, and she strode forward, and roughly grabbed Jennie's shoulder. "Is that what you *believe*, human?? You would have us all be Warrior Caste, and blame the near-death of your world on all the castes?? It is a shame...you are so focused in so many things, and so *lacking* in the rest. And *you* wish to be Anla'shok. It will not go easily for you if this attitude continues...not easily at all. Rise!" Wearily, Jennie pushed herself to her feet. Training...and training..and when they weren't being pushed to exhaustion, they were mediating...or learning Minbari history...in Valen's name...would it ever stop?? She jumped. In Valen's Name...had *she* just thought that?? Amazing...and interesting. Focussed all of a sudden, adrenalin surging, she abruptly took hold of her staff and leapt at Dreann. The Minbari's eyes narrowed as she took the impact squarely on her own staff, and then, after a flurry of sparring that lasted several minutes, with neither side gaining the upper hand, the Ranger called a halt. "Interesting...I thought, just before you struck, that I saw something...a revelation in your eyes...a revelation of focus, perhaps??" Standing firm despite her exhaustion, Jennie pulled her unruly mass of hair back, and wound it into a short braid, before nodding calmly. "I believe you *could* say that, yes..." In Valen's Name. If anything was to prove she was starting to think like a Ranger, that was the first clue... * * * "You are...you were...a warrior...and a scholar, in that, it seems while it was in different lives of your existence, you share that with our great leader. The first...long ago, you were of the Wind Swords...a warrior lost to battle in the endless Minbari caste wars before the coming of Valen. And then, a citizen of pre-Contact Earth...I'd have to guess more then two hundred years ago, but who knows?? Your first life was lost to war, your second, to a tragic mistake...an impact, in a age of fire..." "Can you...show me?" "Yes...of course...but not all..not yet...most of it I can't...quite make out....as if it's hidden from my view...but this, this I can give you." Brianna reached out, and touched him again... An enormous lake between tree lined shores...a jarring crash...blood and fire...crazed glass angles...against the background of trees and mountains, an enormous, churning, fountain of fire rose from the shores of the lake, as the shockwave from the explosion swept across the water, wiping away all that stood in its path... "In Valen's name..." He grimaced, and then cleared his face...so be it. There was no escaping from it now...his soul was of two worlds. "My second death..." "A nuclear bomb...a small one, by the look of it, but far more then enough to destroy whatever city that vision represents...and you were there." "That would..more then likely place it sometime during the Twenty-First Century...that's about the earliest that nuclear terrorism occurred.." Brianna gazed at him knowingly. "Agreed. William...I thing you've had your epiphany. Is it smart for you to press any harder then you are already??" A brief consideration. "For now...no. That's...more then enough." Damn..but I *did* ask... * * * Mar 30, 2259...Dusk... "...we stand on the bridge, and no one may pass." Jennie muttered silently to herself in the growing darkness. "We Live for the One...we Die for the One." Without a sound, she began the movements...the practice that not only had been drilled into her, but was also sinking deeper, into her soul. She was changing...*being* changed, all in the name of...the One. But *which* One? Sinclair? Or someone else?? Their instructors had never strived to make that clear, indicating that they would find the meaning of the words in due course. Amazingly enough, that seemed to be the most correct choice, for now. In the three and a half weeks since their arrival at the Ranger compound, they had been pushed harder then Earthforce had *ever* pushed, but at the same time, left in contemplation for hours that stretched to an eternity of finding their place within the Rangers. Throughout it all, the Minbari Rangers, the aloof instructors who guided them along the Path, and Sinclair, drifting in and out of everything and everywhere, his gaze somber and knowing, were showing her the way...but she was also showing *herself* the way. It was entirely appropriate. Three months, she had been told...or less, if they continued to advance at their current rate. In three months, they would be acknowledged as full Rangers, and dispatched upon their duties, to prepare for the great Conflict that was coming. Finishing the movement, she grounded the staff, her eyes focussed, her stance final... "You advance impressively, Jennifer. I am pleased." Half shocked, she gazed up into the eyes of Sinclair...damnit, how long had he been there? She shook her head self-mockingly, and laughed at herself. A touch of a smile appeared on Sinclair's face. "You were watching me, sir, for how long, may I ask?" "Long enough...long enough to see that you passed your limitations by. Long enough to see that you learn both what you are, and what you can *be*. That is gratifying enough, but to also hear you begin to embrace what we are...what we *will* be." She bowed. "I am honoured to serve...honored to be given this chance. There comes a time when we all called..called to the Word, and to the Sword...and this is that time. The Rangers will stand as candles against the Darkness, and when the time comes, sir, my candle will join the rest. I cannot allow myself to fail...not now...not now I've come this far!" "I see. But for now, I will ask you to put down your staff, and join the rest this evening. We will talk of things...many things, and as a result, come closer together. Join us." What else was there to say?? Sinclair understood...they *all* understood what was needed of them. Jennie followed her leader off of the practice square. There would be more practices, and real battles as well, in the months, and years to come...but for now, a time of rest was called for...and contemplation of the tasks ahead... * * * Mar 31, 2259... "So...you tell us that *this* Narn and his crew are dancing along our borders, gathering information?? Intolerable!! He must be stopped! Him and *all the others*!" "We agree, my Lord..." Corrolan smoothly replied, as he strode back and forth against the rich, intricate background of the suite his contact had provided for him. "My associates...have offered their help in ridding your borders of these...nuisances. I will assume you are not opposed to this?...your forces, are, *after all*, needed in so many places." A quick, if insincere smile. "But of course we accept your help, Mr. Corrolan! That is what allies are for...isn't it?" * * * Quantium flashes flared along the tines of the ancient tri-pronged gate, and with a barely felt shudder, the *N'blis* fell back into normal space time. G'kael shook his head as his crew recovered their poise and began scanning the region they had arrived in. What G'kar had told him on Babylon 5 was disturbing enough, but he had seen what was coming for a long time...the Centauri, and Mollari in particular, were dealing with those forces he had sworn to oppose. He held oaths not only to the Regime, but also, more importantly to him, to the still tiny forces of Light. By themselves, he and his crew could not do much, but as long as they *tried*, there was at least a chance... A slim chance. Three months before, the outpost in Quadrant 37 had been brutally destroyed by the Shadows...it could be *no other*, although he had no proof. No one Narn had survived that encounter with the Enemy...and G'kael suspected that the worst was yet to come. And so, again and again in the last month, as their intelligence patrol pattern continued, he had brought his small cruiser to the Rim, to the edge of the dark worlds formerly controlled by the Enemy. And seen nothing...but then, it was just as well, for nothing had seen him in return... "Sensor sweep shows nothing, Shipleader." "But of course it does not, G'nahl...if the Enemy wanted us to see them, they would not lurk on the edge of known space, plotting and manipulating like the demons they are. This region is nearer to Z'ha'dum then I would like...nearer then any of our ships have come since the one sent by G'kar was destroyed. We can take no chances...should the Centauri decide to strike at our lines, we all be needed." G'nahl's face tightened. "It will happen, sooner or later. The Centauri will move upon us in revenge for the slights of the past...and there *will* be war." G'kael nodded. "Agreed. N'rothak!" he barked. "Shipleader?" "The sweeps show nothing?" "Nothin...wait." N'rothak looked up, his face showing traces of alarm. Near to the second planet in this system...a disturbance..." G'kael tensed. It was inevitable, that sooner or later they would encounter the Enemy in battle. They had been warned, that if word of their allegiances got out... "Battle stations. Bring main laser on line, bring fusion reactor to battle standby. All available power to primary and secondary weapons systems, target fighters and then their capital vessels. Helm, make for the gate...gunners, *make EVERY shot count*!" G'nahl and N'rothak nodded. Behind them, the crew grew tense. That anyone would survive the next five minutes was debatable... * * * Above the second planet of the unnamed, dark and blasted system that the N'blis now found itself in, two enormous, spiderlike shimmers appeared, and then solidified into the nightmares that the images had implied. With a harsh scream, the two enormous and deadly vessels launched clusters of fighters, and turned towards the, to them, wholely insignificant, and tiny, Narn vessel trying to escape from them... Escape?? Escape was impossible!! The ships grew eager...another hunt was beginning... * * * ***************************************************************************** Next: "Sorrows of the Past, Burdens of the Future" ends in fire and in ice...in destiny, and in victory...in pain, and in the beginning of a war that can not be avoided... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker: Destiny's Call, Part 6c(I) Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 14:37:32 -0700 (MST) Before anyone asks...the farther along I get in this epic, the longer the parts are seeming to get, and the less the university net system seems willing to handle my writing excessively long(ie, eating 25000 char. is not my idea of fun, I rarely enjoy *rewriting* parts), hence, part 6c is split into two. Sorry for the delays...I will be *quite* happy to start writing this puppy on a nightly basis from the new computer arriving at home over Xmas...at which point, the adventures of the Rimstalker and his companions *should* start arriving on a more or less daily basis... *************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER: DESTINY'S CALL "SORROWS OF THE PAST, BURDENS OF THE FUTURE" PART 6 PHASE III OF III ** "At this juncture, I find myself unable to accept what the First Ones inflicted upon us, and the reasoning behind it. Advancement through chaos and war set against unyielding order...and the rules they played by were civilized and barbaric at the same time. During that whole time, the Shadows played their hand unopposed...and as a result, old friend, when it came time for you and the others to play your hand...I am sorry we couldn't be there for you in your time of need...but *we weren't ready yet*...and wouldn't be for over two years more. But now...*now*, we stand as one...thousands of ships, and dozens of races. The Swords have gathered...and the Rangers stand with them. We live for the One...and if necessary, we will die for the One, too. We will stand at Corianis VI...and if we fail, then the galaxy will fall into Darkness... for who will be left to stop the fall?? - From the Chronicles Log of William Westcastle, The Rimstalker, just prior to the Battle of Corianis VI, Feb 2261 * * * Mar 31, 2259, 2337 hrs, Earth Standard Time... Impotent and alone, the N'blis continued its end run towards the jump gate that was its final hope for escape. Rather abruptly, the first of the Shadow fighters chasing the Intelligence vessel came within range, and four balls of deadly energy slammed against the rear hull. G'kael nodded grimly from the command chair as the dim howl of their own rear plasma weapons shuddered through the N'blis's superstructure. The fight had begun, but the end result would, no doubt, be inevitable. Admittedly, he *had* told his closest confidantes within the Service where he would be, and word would reach G'dalan in due course, but it mattered little...the Service and its thirty-odd ship fleet were spread across thousands of cubic lightyears at the call of the Regime. No help could possibly come in time... G'nahl looked across at him from his station below, the red irises of his eyes reflecting light from his station displays. The gaze was knowing...they had been betrayed...somehow, by somebody, and it would be impossible, now, for word to get out about the betrayal... The N'blis shook harshly under a renewed salvo of blows. Off to port, one of the attacking fighters abruptly shattered into fragments as the front gunners triangulated it, but the end result would still be the same. The main Shadow vessels were approaching..and when *they* came within range, it would be over in an instant. Very well...it was time to end this. G'kael prepared to give the order to flip the ship end over end to bring their main weapon to bear on the enemy... "G'n..." "Shipleader!" N'rothak exclaimed. "The Gate!" G'kael abruptly redirected his attention at the gate they were still making for, the order frozen in mid-transit, and then glanced down at his instruments. Impossible!...the gate was...coming online! Something was coming through...to aid them??? And if so...then *who*?? And, more importantly...*how*?? * * * 17 hours earlier...on the Narn-Centauri frontier... With barely a noise, the quintet of midnight black, 350 metre long N'rothcka class pocket cruisers hung at rest, unmoving and stealthed...at rest, because of the meeting that had just concluded onboard the Intelligence flagship and squadron leader...the G'tan. The last of the shipleaders departed, and the door to the conference chamber slid shut. With a grimace, G'dalan, Spymaster of the Intelligence Service, in the field at least, closed another report file and moved to the next. It was clear enough, to his eyes, what was going on, and equally clear what the result would be... The Centauri, after long years of retreat and inactivity, were once more on the move...and this was not, after all, that much of a surprise. Turhan, their emperor, was in failing health, and, sooner or later, he *would* die. When that happened, the greatest of their houses would *immediately* begin jockeying for position to place *their* candidate on the throne...a race of power...and glory...but chiefly...dramatics. For whoever could present a stunning victory or coup to the Centauri nobility would control the Game. And G'dalan feared very much what that move would consist of.... Four months before, the Narn outpost in Quadrant 37 had been anhillated by an unknown, unseen, but *very* powerful force...a force that G'dalan was more then willing to consider as allies to the Centauri, even though that had not, as yet, been proven. When Turhan died, certain powers in the Centaurum, and almost *surely* Mollari, their ambassador to Babylon 5, would use these allies again...and the destruction this time would be greater. The outcome when *that* happened would be inevitable.. There would be war. A war that the Regime, without this power on their side, would inevitably lose...*unless* the Service could provide the senior Warleaders and the Ka'rhi with evidence that this dark alien force actually existed... With furrowed brow, G'dalan moved on to the final report. And *that* course of action was hindered by the recurring loss of his finest operative, G'kael, in his underpowered N'rothcka prototype, gone *once again* to search, by himself and unbidden, for that very evidence, in the dark worlds towards the Rim of known space. G'dalan was more then willing enough to order the masters of the K'vilan or K'vel, close personal friends of G'kael's, to tell him of G'kael's location, if they knew it. Yes!...now was the time, and enough was enough... "Spymaster G'dalan to the bridge..." the voice of N'vriss, his Second, announced over the intership-comm grid. "Situation critical." G'dalan wasted no time getting to that location. "N'vriss...report!" he ordered curtly, upon arrival. "The heavy cruiser V'dal has jumped into the vicinity. They are accompanied by the N'rothcka class 'K'vel'." N'vriss frowned. "The K'vel is badly damaged...she is hailing us." "At my station, if you please..." "Spymaster G'dalan!" the commander of the K'vel exclaimed, "Thank G'quan! We've reached you before *they* could..." "Explain. And where is the 'K'vilan'?" "We were...ambushed in Quadrant 21..." There was a brief pause. "The K'vilan was destroyed in an instant. We barely escaped with our *lives*...and desperate enough that we did not think to record images of the enemy. It is clear enough what has happened...the locations of our ships have been leaked, *somehow* to the Centauri, and their dark allies moved to attack us...could even *now* be moving to attack *you*!" "I...*see*...we will deal with *that* problem in due course. For now, however, a more pressing matter is at hand. G'kael, our finest operative, is out searching for the same, unknown and destructive dark power...and given your warning, I do not doubt that they approach him even as we speak. You *will*, if you know of it, provide his location to me." "Understood." The K'vel's commander abruptly recited, from memory, it seemed, a string of coordinates. G'dalan nodded, and N'vriss turned sharply, and began to input course data. "Your assistance is duly noted. For now, you will return to the Service yard for repair and refitting, and speak *not* of rumours, for until we have recorded *proof* of these creatures and their ships, *nothing* must be said. In two cycles, the repair cycle must be concluded, and you will gather the rest of the fleet to continue the mission. Is this clear?" "Yes. And your destination, Spymaster?" "*We* go to try and save G'kael from this dark power, if anyone can...and aquire the information I just spoke of. G'tan *out*". G'dalan turned sharply to his Second. "Inform the commander of the V'dal that we require a jump point...immediately. Calculate course to the coordinates provided based on this fact. We go, now...or not at all." * * * "Impossible!" N'rothak exclaimed, as the jump gate irised open, and with the flickering flare of multiple jump-outs, five Intelligence cruisers leapt into the system. "How did they..." "That does not matter." G'kael replied, far more calmly then he should have, given the astonishment he was holding inside, as thin red lines of fusion fire reached out from each of the newly arrived cruisers, and many of the nearer Shadow fighters around the N'blis disintegrated into random black fragments. "Redirect as much energy as you can to the engines. The rest will cover us...we must make for the gate, and escape to tell the Regime of this danger!!" "Understood." N'rothak and G'nahl replied in unison, and the renewed pull of acceleration Gravity gripped them all as a mighty flare of energy emerged from the still only slightly damaged main drive behind them. "G'tan to N'blis. G'tan to N'blis...come *in*, N'blis." came the voice of G'dalan, as quite suddenly, one of the newly arrived fleet was blown into fragments by one of the larger, angrily screaming Shadow vessels. "G'dalan!" G'kael exclaimed, rising from his seat, "Get the information you need, and then make for the gate!! We *must* escape together!" "Negative." the voice of the Spymaster returned, "We are gathering the information now, and will transmit it to you. We are badly outnumbered here, G'kael...if *one* of us cannot escape, then all are lost!" With that, the four remaining vessels turned as one, and made directly for the, apparently, now single Shadow cruiser in charge of the operation... "G'dalan!" G'kael cried in frustration. "It is too late for that!" G'nahl interjected furiously, his eyes tight. "They are sacrificing themselves so that we may escape!" "I *understand*...activate jump gate sequence!" Behind the fleeing N'blis, one by one, the protective envelope of G'dalan's fleet was destroyed, until only the G'tan remained..and then, that ship, too, was cut dramatically in half by a violet death-knife of energy. Ahead of G'kael's ship, the jump gate, now quite near, came on line with a coruscating flash of energy. Had the sacrifice of the rest been enough, he wondered...*would* the Shadows let them escape, or was it all for nothing?? The answer to that question came an instant later, as less then five thousand shiplengths behind the N'blis, a vast, sinister form coalesced out of nothingness, and the same violet deathbeam that had killed the rest of the fleet reached out, and with casual intent, sliced the N'blis's engine section away from the rest of the vessel... Tumbling, out of control, what remained of the ship passed *beneath* the still open jump gate...and then, the newly arrived Shadow vessel struck again, and what remained of the N'blis was abruptly traveling in two highly disparate directions. G'kael did not even ahve time to react as a great gout of plasma fire erupted through the bulkhead at the back of the bridge...and flung him against the fore bulkhead... Fighting against the seconds, and the howling wind of air escaping through the vast rent at the back of the bridge, N'rothak moved...for his life, *and* his commander's depended upon the next ten seconds. With a desperate lunge, he grabbed hold of the mercifully unconscious G'kael, and, partly using the decompression wind as a guide, made for the escape module that would eject them from the burning, dying prison that, between one moment and the next, the N'blis had become... Their job done, the two Shadow vessels, decoy and killer, hovered for a moment within the broken clouds of debris, and then, as one, turned, and with their fighters, faded from sight... * * * Apr 5, 2259...the Ranger Compound, Minbar...night. Cloak wrapped tightly about his body, William moved through the darkness, alone. Many of the lights within the Ranger compound had now been extuinguished at this late hour, and a light snow, symptom of the cold and the mountain altitude of the compound, was falling through the night, and beginning to shroud the compound in white. Sleep had evaded him, and now, now he sought a place he could relax, meditate, and stop the thoughts that whirled through his mind. Abruptly, a warmly glowing structure emerged into view, made slightly fuzzy by the falling snow...the decision came quickly, and he turned, and made for shelter. Nicknamed 'The Chapel' by some of the newly made human Rangers(and the nickname was spreading) the small Minbari temple was not often used during the hours of dark, and several times in the past month, he had been, almost, *drawn* to this place. It did the job he needed it for...most of the time. Shaking the light skein of snow off his shoulders, Will made his way inside, and sat himself down a few feet away from the statue of Valen that dominated the heart of the temple. Valen...a mystery to him and the rest of the human Rangers...a figure of legend for the Minbari Rangers...and a locus for both...a heart to build the rest on. Valen had, of course, founded the Anla'shok to fight the Shadows a thousand years before...if anything was true, maybe he came to this place hoping that the spirit of Valen, after all these years, would help him find his proper course within the Rangers, and a measure of peace for his troubled thoughts. "Good evening, William.." a familiar voice spoke out, and with a start, he turned to see Sinclair enter the temple, hood drawn up against the weather outside. "May I join you?" He rose, partially alarmed...it was not common knowledge that Sinclair often came to the Chapel, for some of the same reasons that drew him here, but up until now, he had managed to avoid an encounter with their sometimes warm, sometimes distant leader. "Forgive me, sir, I didn't...mean to intrude upon..." "You do not intrude, William..." Sinclair glanced briefly up at the statue of Valen, and then back at him. "In fact, I suspect that you're here for much the same reason I come...to find a little bit of peace at the heart of the storm." Unbelievable...but there it was. Sinclair had, with a minimum of effort, cut to the heart of his problem. How much else did he know?? How much else had he been *told*..and by whom??? "You..understand the situation better then I would have expected, sir." Sinclair laughed. "Better to say, better then I deserve. My position, as well as those who advise me, give me a great deal of insight into what happens throughout the Ranger organization, William...and your case is, shall we say, a bit of a unique one. In fact, it would be right to say that all *three* of you, Jennifer, Brianna *and* you, are unique...and uniqueness always attracts attention. In your case, you are fighting both with your need to return to the Enemy what they inflicted upon you...*and*, of course, what you call 'the visions'...which shows me something completely beyond what you have been considering...something *very* important...and part of the reason you found yourself drawn here, I'm sure." "Would you...care to explain that comment, sir?" Sinclair nodded. "What I am about to tell you is not common knowledge...Hell, there are times I barely believe it myself..but the Minbari do, and that, in this case, is what makes all the difference. The Minbari believe that some of the human Rangers are being drawn to this place because Humans and Minbari are two sides, you might say, of the same coin. One thousand years, we weren't noticed by either side, but now...now, William, we might make all the difference." "And I..." He fell silent. "Of course, she told you all she knows...and from that, you were able.." "Precisely. It is my feeling, and of others I know, that you and your friends will play a pivotal role in what is to come. What that role is, I don't know...but it seems inevitable, William, that you will, at least, get your chance to, as the Vorlons would say, 'stalk'....to follow the Enemy's movements, know their plans...and stop them, and, if necessary in the stopping, to kill them." William felt himself smile. Was it just, perhaps, that before he hadn't *really* believed that more then those close to him cared? No...it had to be more then that...but it was enough, for now, to know that *Sinclair* was willing to be there with an open ear and a kind word when necessary...sometimes only to re-emphasize things he already knew, but doubted, and other times, to give the guidance only he could produce.. All of a sudden, exhaustion swept over him, and he rose. "Thank you sir...for everything." Sinclair merely nodded thoughtfully...but then, a noise at the back of the temple disturbed them both, and William whirled, to see a harried looking human Ranger approach. The Ranger looked at him briefly, and then at Sinclair. "It is safe to speak...William is almost one of us, now." "I understand, sir...I have news...disturbing news. The few Ranger patrols we have in the vicinity of the Narn-Centauri border have reported evidence of Shadow activity. Well over half of the Narn intelligence class vessels have been destroyed, covertly, in the past week. The Centauri Emperor is, by all signs, preparing to move to Babylon 5...some of us feel, to apologize for past wrongs. But it may *be too late* for that...the Centauri nobility plots...and moves behind his back...and the galaxy falls towards *war*." "Grave news...and disturbing. But this has been coming for a long time...." And then, of a sudden, what the human Ranger has said caught on a memory in his brain, and Sinclair's words faded into the background of an image of one Narn who had helped them reach this place...a Narn who, by the sound of it, now stood a good chance of being dead... The memory of a dark scream emerged against an image of fire, and then, an image of the N'blis, broken and destroyed... "No!!" ***************************************************************************** <*> Mr. Ralden at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca <*> From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 6c(II) Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 16:07:50 -0700 (MST) RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 6 "SORROWS OF THE PAST, BURDENS OF THE FUTURE" PHASE III OF III * * * Log of N'rothak, Third of the N'blis, final entry... Two!...*two* are all that lived from the six ships of the Service that stood against the darkness that day...and I, the only to survive relatively unscathed. The battle was measured in *seconds*...seconds in which the pride of the Service sought to gain knowledge of the Enemy that faces us...and were slaughtered...the best and the brightest that the Regime had to offer. What is *worse* is that our two greatest field leaders lie either near to death or in the door...and I do not understand how G'kael has survived *this* long... It is saddening, but G'quan forgive me, I could *not* move any quicker then I did, and a plasma fire spares no Narn. In that instant, my leader...one of the few to know the truth about the dark Enemy we face, was burned over forty percent of his body and hurled towards death. I did what I could for him, but he barely lived to see rescue, and now lies deep in a coma. They cannot tell us whether or not he will emerge...and I fear, now that the Regime descends towards War, that any return G'kael does make will not be complete enough...or quick enough to satisfy those who need him the most. The Shadows ensured my silence...could, in fact, be watching me even *now*...and so, I stand behind the lie that is, and say I do not remember what happened, who killed us...destroyed our ships....and *how*. I do this to protect my leader from those, invisible, who threaten us... But should G'kael die...I fear I will not long follow him into the abyss... * * * Chronicles Log, Entry IV, April 19, 2259... It has been a difficult two weeks for me, more difficult then I could have dreamed possible. The revelation of G'kael's likely death at the hands of the Shadows, even though this cannot be proven, was, at the start, a terrible shock and burden to bear, coming as it did so quickly after the resolution of purpose provided to me by Jeffrey Sinclair that night. That night...a night of gently falling snow, of peace and contemplation, shattered forever by the news of what had arrived, and what was coming... And now, the time for contemplation is almost done, and we are pushed ever harder towards our destination. We are changing, and being changed by events. I find myself watching these changes, and shaking my head. But there may come a time when these records become necessary to the survival of the Rangers, and thus, I continue. It is becoming increasingly apparent that Ranger One intends to utilize my leadership skills to the utmost. While he runs all, he cannot be everywhere, and so, the Rangers, like any army who have come before, break themselves down into subunits and groupings, preparing, training...learning. And we are growing...it cannot be long now until Sinclair puts us all to the test... Next, I will talk of Brianna. Far, now, from the lost, but determined young woman who came to Minbar with us a month and half ago...Brianna's skill as a telepath is being tightened *somehow*...I have suspicions that the Vorlon, Ulkesh, might have something to do with this, but she will not speak of him, and so, I do not press. Regardless, her prowess as a Ranger will be unquestionable, and when it comes time to fight, her skills will be all too necessary in the war against the Enemy. And finally...finally, I come to my love...my Jennifer. *She*, beyond the rest of us, has changed the most. From the embarassment of a month ago, she has pushed herself harder every day, purifying and honing the essence of both her skills as tracker and gatherer of information, but also, and more importantly, she believes, her skills in..." * * * Apr 21, 2259....the Ranger Compound Practice Arena... It had begun, just as they had thought it would, Jennie considered, as her current training duel with Dreann continued. In the name of the Centauri, the Shadows had obliterated a colony on the Narn frontier, and now, through a deliberate misunderstanding, the Narn and the Centauri had resumed their decades old conflict with one another. Where would it end, she wondered, working her staff into one move after another. Would the whole galaxy stand ablaze before the Shadows were satisfied? Not if the Rangers had anything to say about it... Move, and countermove. Block, and parry. So often now, she did not have to even *think* of the moves...they simply *came*, in a flowing, liquid advance that sought to move beyond the training matches she now enjoyed so much... In a barely seen blur, she shifted her staff down and under Dreann's defence, and seconds later, the Ranger, now, surprisingly enough, growing to be a constant companion, fell to the floor in a fall that was, however, still *more* then under control. Jennie smiled, and in a concurrent ongoing tradition, tapped her companion lightly on the throat with her staff. "Endgame?" "Of course." Dreann abruptly returned to her feet, and joined her on the edge of the circle. "You do well, Jennifer...*more* then well, now that you have achieved the full focus you have been seeking. I can now acknowledge your stories of training with this weapon in the constricted spaces of your youth...it was initially disheartening to see that you had forgotten so much, but *now*...that appears to be behind you." She nodded. "I'd like to think so...maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to achieve my *full* potential at last!!" "*Perhaps..*" a deep voice announced from the shadows on the far side of the arena, and as one, Ranger and Trainee turned and bowed, as F'hursna Sech Durhan, one of the mightiest of Minbari warriors, entered the circle. "And perhaps *not*. You now defeat Anla'shok Dreann on a regular basis, human female...perhaps it is *now* time to advance this to a higher level??" With a barely seen flick, Durhan tossed a small object through the air towards her, and without a thought, Jennie reached out and caught it. The catch imposed a half-twist upon the short, cylindrical object, and with a barely-heard "Shnk", it immediately expanded to its full, five foot length.. The breath caught in her throat, as beside her, Dreann bowed again, and backed away. A *Denn'bok*!...one of the prized and rare Minbari fighting pikes! Looking up, she saw, without surprise, that Durhan had already extended his own, and with lazy, predatory grace of the true warrior, was waiting for her to act. Jennie glanced quickly to the side, and saw, without surprise, that there were now spectators in the previously empty arena...Sinclair, among them... "What do you wait for, human?" Durhan barked, as he slowly advanced upon her. "Dreann tells me what you are becoming...now show *me*." She tried not to gulp. Matches with Dreann were fine enough...but *DURHAN*..."I...don't deserve..." "I did *not* hear you say that. You are, in my estimate, and I am *rarely* wrong, among the first of your fellow humans to reach this stage. Do not tell me that you are unwilling to face me freely in combat, Trainee Clifford! I do not accept that refusal...*WILL* not accept it." Eyes wide, she glanced down at the pike in her hands again. The silver gleam blazed back at her...light, but deadly, in the right hands..but were *hers* the right ones?? She suspected that she was about to find out... "You honour me, F'hursna Sech...both with these words, and with this challenge." On the fringes of vision, she could see that the crowd of watchers was growing... "Then advance...and show me your worth, human!" The moment would be right...but when? The thundering buzz of her heart eclipsed all distractions...all thought but the matter of honor currently at hand. Jennie balanced herself lightly on her feet, and began t circle...as did Durhan..the moment would be coming...was coming... *Now* With a blur, she shifted hand over hand and met the almost volcanic, *certainly* frightening onslaught of Durhan's first blow. It was as Dreann had said...his skills were beyond impressive, they were *phenomenal*! Initially, it was a near impossible struggle to keep him from unseating her...but then...then, the smooth grace she had achieved so often just lately began to come to the fore... At the same time, it was clear that Durhan was *not* trying to hurt her, that she could feel without even trying, although the fighting pikes could, so easily, shift from the non-lethal moves of this match to killing blows. Instead, Durhan was honing her, far harder then Dreann ever had...but now, NOW, the rhythym had been found! Move followed move, and she did not see the arena, did *not* see the now group of fascinated humans and patiently watching Minbari Rangers and trainees, she only lived for the match and for the moves, and in the moment... And then, in a moment as painful as any she had ever known, DUrhan pulled back, and grounded his pike. It was over!...in an instant, ever respectful of the conventions, she did the same... Durhan nodded at her. "Impressive...*very* impressive...for a human, that is." He turned his head. "Dreann, you spoke truly...she is, without a doubt, one of the finest hand-to-hand fighters in the current group...an accomplishment to be proud of." Durhan lanced her with his piercing eyes, and then turned his gaze again to the still silent watchers. "Among you all, of those present and those who have come before, only *three* have gone where this human has. It is an honor...a *great* honor, but Trainee Clifford suffered a greater shame...has striven to absolve that shame...and has succeeded. She is closer to her goal then ever before. You all advance towards the Ceremony along different paths, and in different ways...and while her greatest skill lies elsewhere, she has aquired a valuable *new* one...found the courage to make a stand for what she believes in..and to make right what once was wrong. A valuable resource this is, beyond all use of weapons." Durhan fell silent, while a good deal of the humans present clapped. At this, a glow emerged within her...not, she realized, a glow of triumph, or success, but of pride. *SHE* had done this...her!...through dedication, and a Hell of a lot of practice. In the crowd, she suddenly found Will, and he bowed to her, in the form that signaled a Minbari's aquiesence of superior skill. A blush touched her cheeks, but then, her thoughts grew firm again, and with another half-twist, she closed the pike, and held it out to the instructor who had allowed her to prove her worth in front of her peers. Gaze ironic, Durhan received it. "Know this, human...just because you have proven your worth...does not mean the training has finished. You will join me, here, at sun's rise, tomorrow...and we will continue what we have begun here." "I understand. I will be here." She smiled as she turned away. What more needed to be said? * * * "They have come far." "Yes, the young human female's display of prowess proved this to be the case. Surprising...but now that we know what is to come, her dedication may inspire others to follow in her steps. And that may be the *only* thing which will save us..." * * * ******************************************************************************* Next: The Great War has begun, and the tests of courage continue. A nightmare of ice and frozen death has been unleashed. Some will die, but some will find themselves placed on the final path to those words, most honorable, that will set them free..."In Valen's Name, In Darkness True"...coming soon... ******************************************************************************* "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 6c(II) Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 16:07:50 -0700 (MST) RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 6 "SORROWS OF THE PAST, BURDENS OF THE FUTURE" PHASE III OF III * * * Log of N'rothak, Third of the N'blis, final entry... Two!...*two* are all that lived from the six ships of the Service that stood against the darkness that day...and I, the only to survive relatively unscathed. The battle was measured in *seconds*...seconds in which the pride of the Service sought to gain knowledge of the Enemy that faces us...and were slaughtered...the best and the brightest that the Regime had to offer. What is *worse* is that our two greatest field leaders lie either near to death or in the door...and I do not understand how G'kael has survived *this* long... It is saddening, but G'quan forgive me, I could *not* move any quicker then I did, and a plasma fire spares no Narn. In that instant, my leader...one of the few to know the truth about the dark Enemy we face, was burned over forty percent of his body and hurled towards death. I did what I could for him, but he barely lived to see rescue, and now lies deep in a coma. They cannot tell us whether or not he will emerge...and I fear, now that the Regime descends towards War, that any return G'kael does make will not be complete enough...or quick enough to satisfy those who need him the most. The Shadows ensured my silence...could, in fact, be watching me even *now*...and so, I stand behind the lie that is, and say I do not remember what happened, who killed us...destroyed our ships....and *how*. I do this to protect my leader from those, invisible, who threaten us... But should G'kael die...I fear I will not long follow him into the abyss... * * * Chronicles Log, Entry IV, April 19, 2259... It has been a difficult two weeks for me, more difficult then I could have dreamed possible. The revelation of G'kael's likely death at the hands of the Shadows, even though this cannot be proven, was, at the start, a terrible shock and burden to bear, coming as it did so quickly after the resolution of purpose provided to me by Jeffrey Sinclair that night. That night...a night of gently falling snow, of peace and contemplation, shattered forever by the news of what had arrived, and what was coming... And now, the time for contemplation is almost done, and we are pushed ever harder towards our destination. We are changing, and being changed by events. I find myself watching these changes, and shaking my head. But there may come a time when these records become necessary to the survival of the Rangers, and thus, I continue. It is becoming increasingly apparent that Ranger One intends to utilize my leadership skills to the utmost. While he runs all, he cannot be everywhere, and so, the Rangers, like any army who have come before, break themselves down into subunits and groupings, preparing, training...learning. And we are growing...it cannot be long now until Sinclair puts us all to the test... Next, I will talk of Brianna. Far, now, from the lost, but determined young woman who came to Minbar with us a month and half ago...Brianna's skill as a telepath is being tightened *somehow*...I have suspicions that the Vorlon, Ulkesh, might have something to do with this, but she will not speak of him, and so, I do not press. Regardless, her prowess as a Ranger will be unquestionable, and when it comes time to fight, her skills will be all too necessary in the war against the Enemy. And finally...finally, I come to my love...my Jennifer. *She*, beyond the rest of us, has changed the most. From the embarassment of a month ago, she has pushed herself harder every day, purifying and honing the essence of both her skills as tracker and gatherer of information, but also, and more importantly, she believes, her skills in..." * * * Apr 21, 2259....the Ranger Compound Practice Arena... It had begun, just as they had thought it would, Jennie considered, as her current training duel with Dreann continued. In the name of the Centauri, the Shadows had obliterated a colony on the Narn frontier, and now, through a deliberate misunderstanding, the Narn and the Centauri had resumed their decades old conflict with one another. Where would it end, she wondered, working her staff into one move after another. Would the whole galaxy stand ablaze before the Shadows were satisfied? Not if the Rangers had anything to say about it... Move, and countermove. Block, and parry. So often now, she did not have to even *think* of the moves...they simply *came*, in a flowing, liquid advance that sought to move beyond the training matches she now enjoyed so much... In a barely seen blur, she shifted her staff down and under Dreann's defence, and seconds later, the Ranger, now, surprisingly enough, growing to be a constant companion, fell to the floor in a fall that was, however, still *more* then under control. Jennie smiled, and in a concurrent ongoing tradition, tapped her companion lightly on the throat with her staff. "Endgame?" "Of course." Dreann abruptly returned to her feet, and joined her on the edge of the circle. "You do well, Jennifer...*more* then well, now that you have achieved the full focus you have been seeking. I can now acknowledge your stories of training with this weapon in the constricted spaces of your youth...it was initially disheartening to see that you had forgotten so much, but *now*...that appears to be behind you." She nodded. "I'd like to think so...maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to achieve my *full* potential at last!!" "*Perhaps..*" a deep voice announced from the shadows on the far side of the arena, and as one, Ranger and Trainee turned and bowed, as F'hursna Sech Durhan, one of the mightiest of Minbari warriors, entered the circle. "And perhaps *not*. You now defeat Anla'shok Dreann on a regular basis, human female...perhaps it is *now* time to advance this to a higher level??" With a barely seen flick, Durhan tossed a small object through the air towards her, and without a thought, Jennie reached out and caught it. The catch imposed a half-twist upon the short, cylindrical object, and with a barely-heard "Shnk", it immediately expanded to its full, five foot length.. The breath caught in her throat, as beside her, Dreann bowed again, and backed away. A *Denn'bok*!...one of the prized and rare Minbari fighting pikes! Looking up, she saw, without surprise, that Durhan had already extended his own, and with lazy, predatory grace of the true warrior, was waiting for her to act. Jennie glanced quickly to the side, and saw, without surprise, that there were now spectators in the previously empty arena...Sinclair, among them... "What do you wait for, human?" Durhan barked, as he slowly advanced upon her. "Dreann tells me what you are becoming...now show *me*." She tried not to gulp. Matches with Dreann were fine enough...but *DURHAN*..."I...don't deserve..." "I did *not* hear you say that. You are, in my estimate, and I am *rarely* wrong, among the first of your fellow humans to reach this stage. Do not tell me that you are unwilling to face me freely in combat, Trainee Clifford! I do not accept that refusal...*WILL* not accept it." Eyes wide, she glanced down at the pike in her hands again. The silver gleam blazed back at her...light, but deadly, in the right hands..but were *hers* the right ones?? She suspected that she was about to find out... "You honour me, F'hursna Sech...both with these words, and with this challenge." On the fringes of vision, she could see that the crowd of watchers was growing... "Then advance...and show me your worth, human!" The moment would be right...but when? The thundering buzz of her heart eclipsed all distractions...all thought but the matter of honor currently at hand. Jennie balanced herself lightly on her feet, and began t circle...as did Durhan..the moment would be coming...was coming... *Now* With a blur, she shifted hand over hand and met the almost volcanic, *certainly* frightening onslaught of Durhan's first blow. It was as Dreann had said...his skills were beyond impressive, they were *phenomenal*! Initially, it was a near impossible struggle to keep him from unseating her...but then...then, the smooth grace she had achieved so often just lately began to come to the fore... At the same time, it was clear that Durhan was *not* trying to hurt her, that she could feel without even trying, although the fighting pikes could, so easily, shift from the non-lethal moves of this match to killing blows. Instead, Durhan was honing her, far harder then Dreann ever had...but now, NOW, the rhythym had been found! Move followed move, and she did not see the arena, did *not* see the now group of fascinated humans and patiently watching Minbari Rangers and trainees, she only lived for the match and for the moves, and in the moment... And then, in a moment as painful as any she had ever known, DUrhan pulled back, and grounded his pike. It was over!...in an instant, ever respectful of the conventions, she did the same... Durhan nodded at her. "Impressive...*very* impressive...for a human, that is." He turned his head. "Dreann, you spoke truly...she is, without a doubt, one of the finest hand-to-hand fighters in the current group...an accomplishment to be proud of." Durhan lanced her with his piercing eyes, and then turned his gaze again to the still silent watchers. "Among you all, of those present and those who have come before, only *three* have gone where this human has. It is an honor...a *great* honor, but Trainee Clifford suffered a greater shame...has striven to absolve that shame...and has succeeded. She is closer to her goal then ever before. You all advance towards the Ceremony along different paths, and in different ways...and while her greatest skill lies elsewhere, she has aquired a valuable *new* one...found the courage to make a stand for what she believes in..and to make right what once was wrong. A valuable resource this is, beyond all use of weapons." Durhan fell silent, while a good deal of the humans present clapped. At this, a glow emerged within her...not, she realized, a glow of triumph, or success, but of pride. *SHE* had done this...her!...through dedication, and a Hell of a lot of practice. In the crowd, she suddenly found Will, and he bowed to her, in the form that signaled a Minbari's aquiesence of superior skill. A blush touched her cheeks, but then, her thoughts grew firm again, and with another half-twist, she closed the pike, and held it out to the instructor who had allowed her to prove her worth in front of her peers. Gaze ironic, Durhan received it. "Know this, human...just because you have proven your worth...does not mean the training has finished. You will join me, here, at sun's rise, tomorrow...and we will continue what we have begun here." "I understand. I will be here." She smiled as she turned away. What more needed to be said? * * * "They have come far." "Yes, the young human female's display of prowess proved this to be the case. Surprising...but now that we know what is to come, her dedication may inspire others to follow in her steps. And that may be the *only* thing which will save us..." * * * ******************************************************************************* Next: The Great War has begun, and the tests of courage continue. A nightmare of ice and frozen death has been unleashed. Some will die, but some will find themselves placed on the final path to those words, most honorable, that will set them free..."In Valen's Name, In Darkness True"...coming soon... ******************************************************************************* "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 7a Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 11:57:21 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 7 "IN VALEN'S NAME, IN DARKNESS TRUE" PHASE I OF II ** "The end of April marked a collective turning point for all of us. William, with the help of Sinclair, had found the focus he needed, as well as the peace of knowing that he actually *wasn't* going crazy. As a result, the visions began to back away from his conscious world and into the world of dreams, at the same time a safer and more dangerous place, as Brianna would later tell me. And under the tutelage of the powerful, purposeful F'hursna Sech Durhan, it began to come down to me to not only be watcher, but right hand, to what William was becoming. And then, the gathering storm of chaos decided to reach out and touch us directly, in a way we had not been anticipating..." ** From: "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities." * * * Apr 30, 2259... Things were going good...in fact, four months ago, he would have considered the present situation to be impossible, but there it was, Walther thought, as the reddish murk of hyperspace was replaced, of a sudden, by the sparkling distant stars and nebulae of Euphrates Sector. Not *only* could he now afford quarters on Babylon 5, he could also hold onto an apartment on Earth, courtesy of his employers. Contacts he had, but the name of the Organization, if, indeed, it had any name but that one, was kept from him, within the higher circles of power. Walther didn't care in the slightest. After being cast adrift with *those* two for weeks on end(and *that* Narn) the current situation was a breath of fresh air. And now...*now*, the Organization was allowing him to return to Babylon 5. The cargos travelling inbound, light as they had been, had produced great profits for all those concerned, according to Mr. Vendant...but that was finished with, for now. He was back where he belonged!...on the edge, dealing the deals that mattered, making enough hard currency to ensure himself a future, no matter *what* happened. A distant thought passed across his mind, of William and Jennifer, warning him...of a short and bowed, barely understandable alien saying the same things. The thoughts passed across his mind...and thundered right on into the background. Insupportable and impossible!..after all, it might have been a mistake, the attacks...and he had never, after all, even *seen* those supposed 'evil' ships and their crews, or the mythical dark masters that controlled them. Walther shook his head, and tried not to laugh. A load of superstitious nonsense, that's all it had been. Raiders, it must have been, that's what it was... * * * The Zocalo bustled around Corrolan, but he took no notice of the situation. There were far *more* important events going on, and his time ws far too important to allow himself to gaze upon these small creatures and their small dealings. Corrolan thought in bigger terms then that. "Indeed, things are beginning to go exactly as we planned." "Of course..." the Other replied, the ever present smile, as always, on his face. "The Centauri are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, and Mollari, as I said he would, continues to be most agreeable to our..offers." "He is merely the first, as I'm sure you know, we do not move alone." "Yes...I have heard of this contact you have begun. A most interesting endeavour. I trust that it will, in time, produce results?" "Undoubtedly. Do remember, of course, that the events that brought the businessman Gideon to this place were set in motion by your prior actions?" A brief pause, and then a nod. "As you say." "As *I* say. Gideon started small, but his...'wheelings and dealings' shall we say, are beginning to become quite noticable. The Organization on Earth gives him what he wants, and what we want, and so it continues." "If things change, you will, of course, inform me?" "You will *all* be informed, I assure you, and *they* report to *you* in any case." Corrolan laughed. "Do you honestly believe that what we are doing will not result in the end we require?" "No...of course not." The other rose. "I must go, now. You are about to have a visitor..." Corrolan nodded, and then, a moment later, Gideon emerged from the crowd in the Zocalo, and he rose, displaying, again, the easily found smile of the deceptor... * * * May 2nd, 2259...Minbar...the Mountains north of Tuzanor... The high rock ledge was eerily silent in the long shadows of late afternoon. If one were to listen carefully, the faint hum of ground traffic and the occasional high whine of a flyer could be heard below, but that was about all. And then, the silence was abruptly broken, as an electromagnetic bolt fired up from below, quickly followed by two more. All three sent out arms over the rock face, and with a barely felt "Thnk" latched into the planetary field lines... Thirty feet below, Jennie and Brianna looked up the rock face with grim intent, as off to the side, Dreann nimbly moved up her monofilament rope, and over the edge. At the edge of vision, other groups of Rangers and Trainees were doing the same, far above. Muscles aching, she hauled herself up the final few feet, and onto the ledge. Beside her, Brianna stretched, and then grimaced. "An exercise, he said...to bolster teamwork. Where, I asked?...on the far side of the mountains, he said. But *no one* said we were going *over* the Mountains!!" "Cease your complaining." Dreann suggested, her gaze knowing...sometimes Brianna seemed to complain just for the *sake* of complaining... "We are nearly to the top of this face, and on the far side, the slope leading down to the exercise site is nothing more then what I have heard you refer to as 'a stiff walk.' Brianna kicked at the loose drifts of snow, already starting to melt in the growing heat of the day. "This is dangerous...something's going to go wrong...I just *know* it." Jennie did not answer, but with Dreann, prepared for the next stage of ascent, shooting their bolts up and over the final stage of the face. How Brianna could say that something might go wrong was strange enough...all three of them were tied together..if one fell, the other two could anchor, and save the one who had made the error. And the bolts were nearly foolproof, *this* particular technology had been in use for hundreds of years, if not thousands... Halfway up the final pitch, however, a sudden shift in the breezes caught her attention, and she gazed up and over the ridge...and gasped. Brianna had been right...but not in the way she had thought... The now low sun was beginning to fade from sight behind a quickly growing veil of cloud coming over the ridgeline. Beside her, Dreann sighed, and drew her hood over her head. "This was not supposed to happen. We must find shelter, and quickly." Ten feet below, Brianna called out, "Would you care to explain...and soon?" Coming alongside, the telepath turned to her, eyes dark, and whispered, "There...you see? I told you *something* was going to happen." "We do not doubt your prowess, telepath." Dreann replied, her voice a cutting knife, "But we must move *now*!...an ice storm is coming over the ridge, and the wind will shortly be strong enough to blow us off this face...*move*, human!!" Without a pause, the Minbari Ranger reached into her gear and withdrew another bolt-and-rope combination, and anchored on the original still, launched the new one up and to the left. "There is a..what do you call it?...a cave a short distance above. There is no time, for now, for us to rejoin the others." As indication of her words, thick, sharp crystals of ice were starting to fall from the lowering clouds of the storm, and the wind was beginning to shift up from a breeze towards an icy howl... A short time later, the three looked on the now shrouded valley from the relative protection of the cave. Another fifty feet of face stood above them still, but between the deadly falling slivers of ice and the now near-hurricane wind of the storm, they were certainly not going anywhere *soon*... Outside and above the watching trio, a large crack quite suddenly appeared in the face...the stress snap going unnoticed in the wind... * * * "Thank you..." Sinclair finished, his gaze contemplative but concerned, as the shuddering gusts and thick flurries of ice swept over the Ranger compound. "We will be moving out to aid the exercise participants directly." After dispatching the waiting Rangers on their tasks, he turned to a dark-gazed William, and looked out on the storm. "Fear not. Jennifer and Brianna are well in hand up there. Even though they were not able to rejoin with the main group before the storm hit, Dreann has communicated with the others, and we know of their location. The matter is well in hand." "This is...unseasonable, is it not??" "Indeed." Sinclair gazed again at the ice falling outside. "Most unusual, even for this location, to have an ice storm at this time of year, and the worst of luck." Sinclair nodded his thanks as another Minbari appraoched with his heavy cloak. "However it happened, we still have to act to make sure no one is injured due to the storm. I know you were working on the task I gave you when the storm hit, William...but your assistance during the recovery operation will be most welcome." Will turned, and in one long grab, reached out and took hold of the cloak laid nearby. "After you, sir." * * * The groan of rock was the first thing that caught her attention, turning her away from the great shards of ice piling up outside. What the... Mouth beginning to open, Jennie looked down between her feet. The floor of the cave, which had been initially smooth upon their arrival only thirty minutes before, was now webbed with cracks....and the cracks were growing as she watched... The mountain that had protected so well from the ice storm...now seemed to be falling apart at the seams.. "Oh hell!" She broke into a run, and almost collided with the other two, gathered around the portable heater unit, ten feet farther in. "We've got to go deeper...part of this face...our arrival in the cave must have unbalanced it somehow!!...it's starting to break off of the mountain!" At this pronouncement, Brianna's eyes went wide, while Dreann's swiftly ran over the passageway. Another groan and then a sudden snapping roar pushed them into sudden movement, as rather abruptly, six feet of the cave passage fell away from the mountain, and into the storm... "I doubt, somehow, that our mass made that much of a difference." Without answering, Jennie moved deeper into the cave, her heart pounding, with the other two not far behind. Several more great chunks broke away, and cracks ran over her head, and deeper into the rock... "In Valen's Name..." Brianna gasped, "First an ice storm, and now *this*?" And then, it happened. A pulse of danger stronger then she had ever known before fired through her, and Jennie came to a sudden stop...and just, as it turned out, in time, as ahead and behind of the trio, two enormous, deadly chunks of rock came slamming down, closing off the passageway, and, it seemed, any further collapse. And also, quite effectively, trapping them. And it wasn't finished yet. She grimaced in sudden agony, and covered her face, as hundreds of tiny shards of rock thrown off by the collapse struck them all. Little spots of blood covered her hand when she took it away, and in the dim glow of the light sources they had, Jennie could see she was not alone in that... A harsh string of words erupted behind her, and she turned towards the dim form of Dreann. "The transmitter has ceased functioning." Brianna, eyes dark and forehand dappled with blood, cursed. "Mine's down, too. Must have been those slivers of rock...?" "We are either luckier then we deserve, or..." Or. Jennie quickly checked her own link, and nodded. Unbelievable...what a time for Murphy to lash out... * * * On the peak of the now once-more quiescent mountain, a shimmering form briefly came into view, and looked down through the storm on the haze of rock smoke wreathed about what it had wrought. It had come to this place, under orders from its masters, to continue the tests. The one being Tested thought that she acted solely on the side of Order...but the Servant and his Masters knew better. It was inevitable, of course, that the *other* would act to save the Trapped One, but *how* that happened was far more interesting a question to the Servant then why... In time, the Servant's job would conclude, and, unseen, he would ascend to the stars and rejoin the rest....but for now, the work was far from over... * * * Evening... The multi-flyer moved without haste through the now waning storm, its control surfaces only lightly touched with ice. William gazed up at the flyer as it passed over the mountaintop, and then returned his gaze to the cracked, pitted destruction that the face had become. His gaze was hard...his heart, agonizingly cold with fear. The Rangers who had taken shelter on the far side of the peak during the storm had lost communication with Jennie, Brianna and Dreann when the fall had happened...and now, now, he did not even know if his love still lived... Even though, in his heart, he could *not* believe she had died. It didn't *feel* that way.. Full of purpose, he strode to the edge, where a grim Sinclair looked out over the valley of Sorrows...truly named, this day, if the worst had come to pass. "The ground search has concluded, sir. Tashann and Vidal sent me to inform you; they believe, with near certainty, that Dreann and the rest were still within the cave when the face began to fail." Sinclair nodded, and then turned to the east, where Minbar's larger moon was even now rising. "Quite likely, William. However, now that has been determined, it is now far easier for us to take the next step." William gazed up at the storm wrack, and nodded knowingly. Now, they needed to clear the face to uncover the cave remaining underneath. And for that job, the powers that be were more then willing to lend a hand... A deep hum grew in the air, and quite suddenly, another, quite large Minbari aerial vehicle emerged from the clouds, and approached the face, coming to a hover slightly more then two hundred feet out. A moment later, Tashann stood beside them. "The operators require space, Ambassador. Another vehicle is waiting to carry you down to the face..." * * * In the darkness, the three waited...Brianna in a corner of their prison, almost completely curled up, while Jennie and Dreann meditated. Her anger at events hours earlier had passed, and she wished Brianna could share her belief. A slight rumble vibrated down through the rock above...another Minbari flyer in the air above. Sooner or later, and probably sooner, Sinclair and William would act to save them...probably sooner. And then...the mountain jerked, and the rumbling she had heard the second before became a shattering hum. Dreann nodded, and rose to her feet. "It is as I said...my people will act to pull the collapse off of the mountain face, and..." Ten feet Behind her, the tons of rock blocking the package jerked away, letting moonlight into the trap they had spent over five hours in, and then, supported by the purplish beam holding it, turned away and dropped into the valley with the vehicle carrying it, as another, smaller flyer edged towards the cave mouth. "They made it look *so easy*!" Brianna exclaimed in the renewed high altitude wind of the cave mouth. "So what took so long?" "Why hurry..." Dreann replied cryptically, "If there was truly nothing to fear? We were unhurt, we are Rangers and Rangers-to-be...that is all that matters." Above them, the hatch on the flyer irised open, and a *very* relieved looking William, with Sinclair behind, appeared in the portal. "Good evening, ladies...need a lift?" Jennie felt her lips beginning to twist into a smile, and then couldn't restrain the laugh that followed... * * * "So...a most unexpected outcome for the exercise." "Unexpected...and dangerous. I was given to understand, Rathenn, that that mountain was perfectly safe to conduct the exercise on. And now, that fall killed two innocent Minbari in the valley underneath the peak, and *almost* killed those we need the most. I don't like being lied to." "We did *not* lie to you, Ambassador...this should not have happened, and those three, in particular, should not been endangered so." "I want to know *why* it happened...and soon." "It will be as you say." * * * Night had almost passed, and another day was dawning. But the Servant had no eyes for that dawning, only on the result of the Test just concluded. The results had been as he had expected...there had been no surprises. For now, he would dissapear, though...too *many* accidents and mishaps, and the Rangers would begin to notice, and suspect interference. But when the oppurtunity came again, the Servant would not refuse the chance... ************************************************************************** Next: After trials by fire, rock and ice, the trio are almost finished their quest to become Rangers. Meanwhile, Walther begins to ferret out clues as to the true nature of the "Organization" he works for. The conclusion to "In Valen's Name, in Darkness True" coming early next week... "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 7b Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 10:52:52 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 7 "IN VALEN'S NAME, IN DARKNESS TRUE" PHASE II OF II **"There comes a moment in time when all you are and all you will be is consumed by an ideal. It may not be the correct ideal, but if one is able to accept advice, the ideal will, in time, become pure and self guiding. It was a great day when they stood before me again, and did not see what I had become, only the ideal that I stood for. And in return, I saw *them*...full of purpose, clothed as warrior missionaries in the name of Valen. They had, to my relief, fully accepted what life provides.... ...it has been said that life can be measured in moments of transition, or moments of revelation. I do not deny these words, in context, they are the correct ones. But to that, I add that we live between one moment and the next forever searching for the correct path. Whether or not the path is painful or joyful is determined by us...but we always find what we need, or it finds us, and in so doing, we define the Universe around us..."** - Remarks attributed to the Narn G'kael during the course of the Centauri occupation of Homeworld, during the Earth Year 2260 * * * May 17, 2259... The cold had passed at last, and Tuzanor had discovered the doorway into summer..or so it could be hoped. Clothed only in a charcoal tunic and matching black pants, Jennie gazed somberly up at the dark scar visible against the ridgeline to the northwest. Again and agin, she found her eyes drawn there...to relive in her mind the moments of strangeness that had occurred there. A test of companionship it had been, but also a test of faith. She craned her neck, and began to limber up in preparation for mediation. Others in the training groups now coming in below them seemed to have trouble with Minbari techniques, but as Second-hand to a reborn Minbari warrior, it paid to know both the culture and the language..and so she had. Somberly, she considered it a distinct possibility that none of her 'One' thought entirely in human contexts any longer...she had come *that* far from the Starfury pilot she had been..and there was still so much farther to go... A shadow appeared across the stones from the sun behind her, and she half-turned, eyes lidded...and then, in an instant, came to full awareness. A lithe, but deadly looking Minbari Warrior stood on the landing below her, gaze slightly hostile...and knowing... "I have heard it said the great F'hursna allowed a human female to *touch* one of *our* pikes." the warrior spoke, not in English, but in the Minbari Warrior tongue. "I did not at first credit that as the truth, but rumour runs before us in the darkness, and is then, to my dismay, proven as the truth. My return from the Perimeter should have been peaceful, but *this* cannot be ignored!" She thought for a moment, and then replied...*now* the intense, daily, and hours long crash courses in the three dialects was to find its use at last... "Do you speak in terms of honor? I earned this right in combat, with F'hursna Durhan *himself*. Do you argue *his* right to confer this honor upon me?" The Warrior's mouth tightened at her use of the Minbari language, and then twisted into a smile. "So be it, human. If you have the weapon upon you, as is *right*, you will either prove your worth with it *now*, or relenquish it to me as I *stand*." She sighed. Even now, some of the Warrior Caste could not credit the truth of what had occurred. So be it. With one smooth movement, she vaulted onto her legs, and approached the Warrior. "Stand then...and know me...Jennifer Ariala Clifford...I wield this weapon..." and with that, flicked her pike into hand from its hidden underarm pouch and extended it immediately..."Not through foolish beliefs or ambitions, but through tests of skill. Approach with honor, if you still so wish it." The Warrior mockingly half bowed. "I stand, and answer. Know me...Alit Verkahn, Star Rider...and your prowess, as you say, shall *now* be determined." In an instant measured against Durhan's reflexes in speed, Verkahn extended his own pike, and combat was instantly joined. Far back in the shadows of the nearby building, a cloaked and hooded figure sat calmly...and watched the match unfold. It would be determined, here and now, if the challenge issued to this human, weeks earlier, had succeeded in its final aim... * * * Narn... The darkness around G'kael resolved into a brilliant light. He shielded his eyes from the light, and then...then saw what had come. Here, on the borderland of death, his father had come at last. "G'kael" G'radan intoned, his gaze stern, "Must I credit the rumours of you surrendering to the embrace of death? I will not allow myself to believe it...*cannot*." Mouth tight with bitterness, G'kael extended his left arm, and gazed full upon the ruinous scars that lived there. One eye gone, arm and back burned...even if he *did* return to the living world, the sensation on his left side was gone forever. And that return would now, it seemed, be debated with a phantom...but who better to debate *with*? "You see before you the results of my belief in what I was doing, father. I stood for the cause, and was cut down." "You stood for the *cause*, and it was the *right* cause, G'kael!...as a result of the beliefs of your Third, you live...for now. If you decide that giving up is easier, then so be it...I will not stop you. But the stand is *not* finished...there yet remains more to be done. I will *not* allow you to give up, my son...not now. By G'quan, it cannot be allowed!" "Then give me a reason to live." A tickle of memory hung at the edge of his mind...what was he missing? "As you wish." G'radan waved his hand, and a vision came before G'kael's eyes...a vision of a young, blonde haired human woman in close combat with another...a warrior Minbari, by the look of it...a combat in which the woman, a human he knew all too well, was more then holding her own. G'kael felt his mouth twist upwards into a smile...a smile that stretched the burn tissue on the left side of his face, but a smile nontheless... "By G'quan...they have succeeded?" "Very nearly. It is a great thing to see, is it not? Those you have started on the path this close to greatness. But there will come a time when you will be needed, injured or not. The stand is not yet done." "I...understand." If he was to help them yet, then death must be put away for a while yet. G'kael had searched for a reason to live...he now had it, it seemed... "Then live, my son!" G'radan dissolved into a blaze of light...a light that resolved into a reddish-panelled ceiling...and the face of an astonished N'rothak... G'kael blinked. "Back away, my Third...I do wish to see something *other* then your admittedly welcome face." "Wha...Ka'shael!! Come, he is awake!!" N'rothak drew close. "It has been long, G'kael...how do you feel?" N'rothak looked *quite* relieved, in fact, G'kael was relieved himself. A reason to live... * * * Eyes wide, Verkahn broke combat, and stood back. Astonishing...but the One who had brought him here had spoke truthfully... * * * Verkahn bowed, and then once more met her gaze. "I regret my previous statements. You have stood, and proven your worth truthfully. You wield the Denn'bok, human, like a Warrior. She smiled, and returned the favour. "It was a honour to prove my worth to you, Alit Verkahn. Perhaps we will have another chance to meet thus...in due course." Verkahn nodded. "Perhaps. But for now, I must leave you. Valen watch over you, in all the places you must walk." "And you." The Warrior departed, it seemed, in haste, and with the slightest of pressures, she retracted her pike, and returned it to its storing place. An interesting encounter...perhaps *now* they would believe... "You have come far...farther then I could have suspected." She turned in mid-stride, and (oh damn) bowed deeply. Before her, a Satai of the Grey Council stood...from his stance, the *same* Satai who had embarrassed her into this course of action, all those weeks before...a course that had resulted in much honor, for her... "You started me on this path, Satai. My belief in the right of it took me the rest of the way." "Valen has smiled on your course, young one. I approve." The Satai turned away, and with measured walk, dissapeared from view. Once again alone in the growing heat of the day, Jennie stood alone, and wondered. She appeared to have passed another test...and, it seemed, a large one... * * * May 23, 2259... "The time has come..." Sinclair commented, sipping deeply of his steaming drink, "Of endings, and beginnings...and the end of the course upon which you travel." William looked carefully from face to face...Rathenn and Sinclair, both present for this talk...and, mysteriously enough, the Vorlon, Ulkesh. "We have come to this place, and this time, sir, through intent, patience and dedication. For you, for the cause, for what must be, we have stood, and learnt what must be learnt. We stand ready." "Then you will, in one week's time, be given what you seek." Sinclair rose. "In one week's time, the training will conclude...and the real test will begin." "You will..." Rathenn commented, his eyes kind, "Be kept together, for that is the way of things. All elements are in place, and were we to break your One, only disaster would result. This you already understand, and the others have accepted what is to be. A strength exists here such has never been found before in the Anla'shok that is. It is more then useful...it is a basis for what is yet to come." Sinclair nodded. "The others that follow you see your example...and learn the meaning. And thus, we proceed, faster then we could have hoped." He rose. "Go now. Make your preparations, learn what remains to be learnt." William nodded, rose, and bowed. "Entil'zha veni. In Valen's Name." And then, Ulkesh spoke...##The Name of the First...the name of the middle...the name of the last. You will serve all, and none. You will see the Darkness, and the Fire. You will endure the pain, and the brilliance ...and in the End, you will find the Other...and live between the moments.##" Eyes narrow, William met Sinclair's eyes one last time, and nodded. There was no deceiphering the meaning of Ulkesh's words...not now. The meaning would come, in due course... * * * May 27th, 2259...Babylon 5... Thoughtfully, Gideon balanced the tiny package on one hand. It had come in from the Rim, through the persona of Vendant, and was now on its way inbound. He shook his head, gazing through the crystal lattice to the tiny black object within. Whatever it was, he didn't deserve to know, and yet... Curiousity always got the better of the cat, and in this case, it was no different. Gideon did *not* (he insisted to himself) *care* about what these were and where they were going, the end result was always the same. His riches and stature continued to grow, that was not going to change anytime soon. And yet... One finger found a tiny hole in the lattice, and snuck in... And a flash of brilliant pain entered his mind...and he saw... A man stood alone in a room, wood panelled, with shutters drawn. Two other men stood before him. "All is going as planned. The shipments continue to arrive thorugh our man on Babylon 5. It will be only a matter of time before the construction of the advanced prototypes can begin." "Excellent. The Organization we have constructed will serve us well in what is to come. Our associates came through before, and the bargain continues. I am most pleased with your results. Let it continue." "The power will be ours." "I am quite willing to drink to that." The man in charge smiled a dark smile, and raised a glass of smoky liquid. The others did the same...> Walther blinked, and the vision faded. With eyes wide, he gazed at the object on his hand again. What *was* this thing? What did it all mean? His mouth tightened. He had seen a vision of those he worked for. An interesting technology...but irrevelant to his needs. Only the money mattered... At the back of his mind, a tiny yammering voice begged to be heard, and was silenced. * * * May 30th, 2259...the final Night... Tuzanor was well into the warm season now, and still a chill entered the Night air. Brianna sat alone, on her bunk, in a full lotus, and let her mind range across the void around her. Snippets of voices vibrated into her senses and out again as she ranged around. How powerful was she now?? Unknown...P8? No...it had to be at *least* P10....or more?? A familiar voice entered into her conscious world. A low voice, a singing voice. She turned around, and nodded calmly to the bulk of Ambassador Ulkesh, visible, dimly at the end of the hallway. The voice sung to her. She rose to her feet, eyes gleaming in the darkness. * * * May 31, 2259....Six Hours Before... Together, as they were so rarely, the moons of Minbar, ocher and silver, sank to the western horizon together, and overhead, the stars were already fading into the glow of dawn. Together, hand in hand, William and Jennie continued their mediation on the now so familiar stone outview upon the valley they had called home for almost three months now...months in which they had changed forever. The age of Innonence was passing..the age of Readiness was now upon them both. Jennie shifted her body slightly to feel the light mass of the Denn'bok riding against her ribs. That was one change...and far-reaching. Today...today was the culmination of all they had sought so badly...today, everything changed... * * * In the forests north of the Compound, the Servant flickered briefly into view, and gazed sharply at the two figures reclined in peace so high above. No further chance had arrived that it had seen, and frustration colored its thoughts. Its Masters would consider this partially a failure, but the Servant knew better, and could convince them as such. Yes, those he had been sent to test were now, it seemed, fully committed to Order. But there would be other worlds, other chances...and other times. The Servant turned to depart. Especially, other *times*... * * * Thirty minutes before... "You are prepared?" Rathenn inquired, as Sinclair drew his light brown robe about him. Sinclair rose. "More then prepared. This is something I've waited three months for, Rathenn...and it will be more then a pleasure to give those three what they have been seeking after for so long. The battlelines are beginning to be drawn...a line unseen across the stars above us...and those three will stand in the Vanguard...a beacon for those who follow to gaze upon." "I pray that they and the others will be enough." "At first, I had my doubts. But *now*?" Sinclair smiled, as the two made for the doorway. "Now, we will see at last the truth of what we have begun here." Rathenn only nodded. ***************************************************************************** Next: The beginning is over...the training has concluded...and once again, the Rimstalker and his now stalwart companions are about to be unleashed upon a unknowing Galaxy, and a *nearly* unsuspecting Enemy.."The Most Honorable Words", coming *real* soon... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 8a Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 13:25:51 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 8 "THE MOST HONORABLE WORDS" PHASE I OF II **"In Darkness, find me...in spirit, bind me. With words, reveal me, with vision, see me. To right the wrong, to hold the line...to feel the pain, the horror mine. To do what must be done." - From the portions of "The Book of the Observer" that survived 'The Great Burn' May 31, 2259... Jennie knelt with the others, listening to the Ceremony conclude. Shaking just a little, she gazed down upon herself...upon the uniform she had finally earned...heard, and felt..felt the badge upon her breast...a badge of union, and of prophecy...a perfect jewel, within a setting of gold and silver made to resemble Minbari and human figures. That badge had been cooled in sacred water, the blood of Minbari...and her own blood...and thus it had been sanctified...she listened on, as the ceremony of welcome concluded. It was time...at *last* it was time... They rose. "I am a Ranger..." she recited with the rest, trying hard to keep her voice level. "We walk in the dark places no others will enter. We stand on the bridge, and no one may pass. We live for the One... ...we die for the One." Above and to the side, Sinclair briefly met her eyes, and then..it was over, and the old but wise Sech Turval dismissed them. With the rest, she turned and filed out into the morning sunshine...and felt herself grabbed roughly from behind... Almost she turned and responded, and then stopped herself. This was a hold of exuberance, not of anger or desperation, and of course, it was a broadly smiling William, with Brianna close behind him, in the same clothing as she...Anla'shok, now were they all. Forcing herself to relax, she leant into him. "What do you feel? Was it all worth it?" Will nodded, his smile now growing a little sober. "A graduation, I guess, almost like any other...and yet not. This isn't graduating from school, or the Academy...it's joining an army...an army dedicated to watch, and eventually act. You've heard, haven't you?" "What?" "The Religious Caste...they've finished the final design of the White Stars. The first should be finished before year's end. And after that...dozens...and then, if all goes well, hundreds more. There will come a time when the Shadows will cease their plotting, and come out into the open. And when that time comes...I *pray* we're ready...we have to be." She placed a finger across his lips. "*That* is for the future. For now...the struggle begins, Will." "It does indeed." the by-now familiar voice of Sinclair announced, as their leader approached across the stone-laid courtyard. "That time will not easy on any of us..but that, too, is for the future. For now, I offer my congratulations to you all...you have done well." William bowed. "You honor us, sir." Sinclair smiled. "Perhaps. However, I wish the celebrations could be longer...but they cannot. We are needed in all places, and all times, for the threat of the Enemy continues to spread. I would ask you to join me...we have a great deal to discuss before your departure." She met Will's eyes, and he nodded. And so it began... * * * Chronicles Log, Entry V, June 1st, 2259... It has been long since my last writing in this log, longer then I should have allowed, but I have been very, very busy preparing myself for what now has come upon us at last. Yesterday afternoon, I sat in front of our leader, Jeffrey Sinclair, and received my first order as a Ranger...and even then, Ranger One did not so much order it, but rather requested it...and how could we say no, after all that he has given us? The volcanic conflict at the Narn-Centauri frontier is one of our greater concerns at the moment. Ranger One has no resources as of yet to stop the conflict, the Rangers as a whole will not have the Whitestars. at a minimum, for another fifteen or so months. But we must go, and observe, and where we can, try and determine any further involvement of the Shadows in this War. It will be dangerous, but we are Rangers...and now we must walk where others fear to tread... * * * Narn...June 1, 2259, Earth Reckoning.. "Ah!" G'kael exclaimed, as what remained of the nerves along his arms, side and back were stimulated. "Can this not provide *feeling* instead of pain?" The Narn technician balefully eyed his patient, while, nearby, N'rotak attempted to hide a smile. In the days since G'kael had emerged from his coma, his leader and friend had come much farther then he should have, and was now, regardless of the heavy nerve damage and burn scarring, back on his feet once more. The technicians were attempting to stimulate new neural connections, but N'rothak doubted that G'kael would endure much more of this...especially given that he still retained use of all his limbs, despite the scars. There were more important matters to consider, the War foremost among them. With a impatient wave, G'kael sent the technician on his way, and turned the gaze of his one good eye to the ocher sky outside. "N'rothak... this cannot go on. Now that I have awoken, and they have proven that there is, other then the damage *they* inflicted on me, nothing else wrong with me, I must act!! I *cannot* allow myself to *not* act!! The Regime *needs* us!" N'rothak nodded. "The War does not go well. The Centauri are advancing...slowly, yes, but they are advancing. And it does not appear that they have used..." "Do not say it..." G'kael whispered, waving him closer. "It is not safe here. But we must get out of here, and find a place to plan. Something is about to happen...I know it!" The comm system beside G'kael's bed chimed. "Yes!" G'kael barked, "What is it?" "Forgive my intrusion, Shipleader, there is a message from Minbar addressed to you...personal code only." "Hmm...from...Westcastle?" G'kael's one eye widened. "But what could be the password? Hmm...yes, of course." G'kael spoke a single word, and the message unscrolled on the screen. "I see." G'kael turned to N'rothak. "There we have it...the decision is made." "What does it say?" "Read for yourself, N'rothak." * * * * * * * * Stay close to your home, friend. We have succeeded in our aim. The Observer has seen what must be seen, and we now stand against the Storm. In Valen's name, we are coming. William * * * * * * * * "Has it been that long already?" "Apparently so." G'kael rose to his feet, abruptly deleting the message. "Get me that...*Doctor*, and inform him that there has been a change of plan." G'kael closed the eyepatch over the left side of his head, reached for the handle to the storage area, thrust it open, and reached for the uniform that lay within... * * * June 2nd, 2259...very early morning... Brianna dreamed. A dream of death, a dream of destruction. A dark, spidery vessel passed overhead through the brilliant silver sky...a dream, it must be...the Minbari would never let...a....Shadow?...vessel get that close to Minbar's surface... She turned, and Ulkesh was there. "#You are the second, not the first. You are the Guide, you see what remains to be seen#" She nodded in the dream. "Yes, I understand. At last, I understand the meaning." "#You understand **nothing**. In between, the Watcher will be seen. Act#" She shook her head dumbly. *Now, what did he mean?" "Act??" "#Act...or Die#" Abruptly, she came awake...and whispered a curse. He had been inside her head again. Now, if only she could remember exactly what had just happened... * * * June 3rd, 2259... The Minbari ground-to-orbit craft, so similar to the one they had embarked on three months before to descend to Yedor, rose into the darkness. There were far more humans on this outbound flight then there had been on the descent...and they shared a common goal, William thought, in their attitude and their dress. The emblem of the Rangers, for now, rode safely within a pouch in his cloak, and the others onboard had done the same...for now. They were travelling into dangerous territories, different, and yet, the same, for everywhere the influence of the Shadows spread, there the Rangers would have to go. A dangerous plan...but necessary...*all* too necessary. William smiled. Word had come down the line just before their graduation that G'kael had survived the attack upon him and all those who had died that fateful day. A great sign...and for now, the only one that mattered. Others were travelling in the same direction as them, but along differing paths. In the end, they would reunite, but for now, *his* Three travelled alone. Brianna turned to him, her eyes hiding a mystery...that was plain enough to see, and more then likely a mystery concerning Ulkesh. Best not to pry. "So...we go where others fear to tread...and under your command, at that." "That was *his* idea." "I know...probably the correct choice, don't you agree?" He sighed. What choice had he been given? Sinclair had been pushing him in this direction from the start. Small cells of Rangers were moving out in all directions...and there *had* to be a leader for each cell. Inevitable. "Put those thoughts to rest." Jennie whispered from the other side of his head, the light touch of her hand on his. "We're doing the right thing. And for now, you have *other* matters to attend to, don't you?" He nodded, and then turned his gaze to the small comm-slate on his lap. The training had been long, and contact with the outside world slim. It was time, at last, to reopen some of the *other* lines of communication that were available to him... ***************************************************************************** To be continued... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 8b Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 15:20:50 -0700 (MST) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 8 "THE MOST HONORABLE WORDS" PHASE II OF II ** "And so it was, after all the months and the trials, we were on our own again...but our perspectives and loyalties had completely changed. *Now*, we operated under the auspices of the Rangers, and our thoughts...our very *souls* even had been changed by the experience. We no longer thought in human terms...but now, in human *and* Minbari. Many a time over the months and years to come I would engage in conversations with other Rangers, and figure out afterwards that the conversations had been almost *completely* in one of the three Minbari caste languages. But that was later...and of course, even though I wrote this, I am already digressing. So long ago, and far away it now seems, that fateful Summer of 2259. Challenge after challenge, and three new ones waited on our horizon. First the challenge of the war raging on the Narn frontier, then the problem of the Z'nipc, and finally, and worst, the final seduction and betrayal of one who had almost been our friend...once, and was now, it seemed, lost to us forever..." From: "Storm Crossing, the Shadow War, and other Responsibilities." June 3rd, 2259...Babylon 5...late night... It had been one hell of a week, and things just didn't seem to be getting any better. John Sheridan sat back in his chair, sighed, and rubbed his eyes. Everyone else was already dead to the world...Susan, of course, had wanted to know why he hadn't gone to bed hours ago. Too much to think about...the shades of War gathering, from the Narn-Centauri conflict to the GROPOS passing through the station a few weeks back...what would be next? Time to go to bed. But first, he might as well check his messages, on the slim chance that anything he *wanted* to read might have come in since the last time he'd checked. It seemed like *forever* since Liz or Dad had called... *You have One Message* "Display message." *Password Required.* What the...wait a minute. Sheridan smiled a rueful smile, and nodded. Of course. It had to happen sooner or later. "Omega Naught." The face of William Westcastle flashed on the screen, and Sheridan immediately noticed the change. Westcastle looked, for want of a better explanation, like he'd had some sort of revelation...or been tempered and forged into a harder person then he had been... "Hello sir. I'm sorry I haven't called before now...but there hasn't been time, I've been too busy. But, if not a friend then as a passing aquaintance, you deserve to know that I'm, at least, doing okay...saving my life does have benefits, and it never pays to let lines of communication fail. My Dad taught me that...and I never forgot those words. Sooner or later, my accomplices and I will pass through Babylon 5 again, and when we do, I hope I'll have time, and you will, for a moment of conversation amidst the passing hours . When that time comes, sir, you'll know it, and so will I." The message ended, and partly bemused, Sheridan sat back in the chair again. Admittedly, it was good to know that William was doing okay...but *that* message raised more questions then answers... Typical. * * * June 5th, 2259... Gideon winced. The headache, and the faint yammering noise at the back of his head, were both back again. It was happening more and more often just lately...especially after his curiousity had gotten the better of him, and he'd stuck his finger inside the Organization's package 8 days before, and had gotten that vision... He shook his head, bemused at his own thoughts. At the time, he had calmly enough told himself that it didn't matter, that only his increasing prosperity mattered. But now.. The yammering refused to go away, or the headache, and Gideon suddenly realized what it must mean. Oh so classic, so vaudevilian. He sat down. My damn conscience is reaching out and putting the screws to my head. The voice of his conscience grew louder. What if...an image ran through his mind, an image of his last conversation with Vendant...on the fringes of that vision, a slim, well dressed man had been retreating into the Zocalo crowd. It meant something...and something else, the memory of a whining, buzzing sound in his mind, every once in a while when he had been in Vendant's presence... Another memory passed through his mind, a memory he thought he had banished forever...but for his suddenly awoken conscience. Zathras had said something, all those months ago...what had it been?? Yes... Enemy unseen, yes, except when they want it, Zathras know. Behind the scenes, you would say...(tck)...yes, indeed. A shaking of head. .... Gideon abruptly came back to the present, and shook his head. It couldn't be...it just *Couldn't*! Or could it? And if so, what would happen if he confronted Vendant and Corrolan about his doubts? Gideon shook his head. If it was true...then the past three months had been a very private daydream, and by allowing his wishes to take hold, he might have gotten himself very deeply into trouble. Damn. And if Will and Jen had been right... He had to act. But not yet. Now was certainly *not* the time to ask. But now his eyes were a *little* more open(to what *might* be the truth) Gideon would pay attention, oh yes, he would. And when the chance came, he would ask. But not yet...a few more days... * * * June 14th, 2259...Narn orbital space... Will stolidly watched, and Jennie shivered, as less then a half a mile above the descending shuttle, two massive red and silver Narn heavy cruisers passed them by. And brand new, by the look of it. "They're going to keep on fighting, even to the bitter end." his love whispered in his ear, "And they won't accept what's coming until it's far too late." He nodded grimly. The job that Sinclair had sent them here to do was going to be difficult enough without that problem included...but it was there. The Ka'rhi and the Warleaders of the Regime thought in terms that he did not understand fully as of yet...in that, the Narn was still alien. But there was *equally* no point in speaking up and warning them...they would laugh, and say, 'by G'quan, human, you are a fool', right up until the Shadows returned, and blew their impressive fleet out of the water. That was *equally* inveitable. Sooner or later, the Centauri would grow impatient...and when they did, the final blow would fall... * * * "Ah!" G'kael exclaimed, as the three he had parted ways with on Babylon 5 so many days before entered his quarters under the red glare of the slowly setting sun. "So!...before I ask how you have been, I suppose I will have to deal with the recrimanatory remarks about what happened." William briefly gripped his good shoulder, eyes knowing, and then shook his head. "You and the rest made the choice you needed to, G'kael, even if I had been present to argue about it with you, which I wasn't, you would have gone anyways, and the outcome would have been the same." G'kael nodded, unsurprised. "You *have* changed, Westcastle, and I would say, for the better..but that is just *personal* observation, feel more then free to disagree." A smile. "I won't. It's what we needed to do, and you know it...since you just about *pushed* us into it." "Ahhh...you go too far. Enough." G'kael turned. "And you, Jennifer Clifford. I see your prized hair has grown back, but *you* look even harder then this other human here." Jennie briefly colored, and then, sober again, she nodded. "I came far, In Valen's Name...farther then any of us." Just for a second, the sight of a tiny silver object flashed into G'kael's vision in her hand, and then was gone again. G'kael nodded. "Impressive that you earned that right...quite impressive!...but not surprising. Enough of this, the time of greetings is over!..let us be down to business, since I will assume you have not simply come to Narn to 'say hello', as you humans say. There are *far* more important things going on." "Agreed." William quickly withdrew a tiny object from his cloak, and set it up on the table nearby. "Now we cannot be eavesdropped upon by..normal means...let us talk." "Ah, yes. So..your...leader has ordered you here to observe the course of the War, has he not?" "Correct. But we cannot observe the war from here. We *have* to get to the lines, G'kael, and as soon as possible. *Can it be done*?" He paused for a moment, and then nodded. "Not easily...but yes, it can be done. A *few* of the N'rothcka class vessels survive even now, even with battle fully joined, and Shipleader Ko'cha of the K'vel is a close friend of mine...he will assist, and not ask questions...at least, not too many, or important. The Service holds its secrets *closely*, as I'm sure you understand." William said nothing, he merely inclined his head. "Very well. Then spend a little bit of time doing what you do...Stalking clues, Watching the signs on Narn...I'm sure you understand what I am talking about. We cannot move yet, but we *will* move, when the time is right." Jennie nodded, and before she turned to leave, she spoke one sentence, and one only: "Then it is agreed...In Valen's Name." * * * June 15th, 2259...very early morning... A hiss of air moved across the desert surface of Narn, a hiss with a purpose. Days it had been, the Z'nipc told itself, but the quarry had at *last* returned to the surface of a world, even a world as cursed as this one would shortly be...but the task of Testing would resume, all too soon... Smiling a smile no one else could see, the Z'nipc moved out across the desert from the hiding place of its vessel, and once again, all fell silent... * * * Eyes dark, Brianna stood on the edge of this minor cleft in the surface of G'kael's world, while, above, the stars slowly wheeled. The others had taken to bed long ago, but a resonance of Ulkesh's touch continued to rebound in her mind, even this far after and at such a distance. Impossible..but there it was. It seemed that for the Vorlons, very *little* was impossible. And then, quite suddenly, she clasped one hand to her temple, and strived valiantly to stand against the stab of pain inhabiting her mind. *Something* was wrong...something was... Watching? With a half snarl, she whirled...and saw nothing... Wait. A shimmer of air on the edge of vision, dark on dark. She frowned. Trouble. A flash of memory in her mind... (In between, the Watcher will be seen. Act...or die) Trouble indeed. There was something on Narn...watching them, waiting for them...TESTING them?? A Servant of the Enemy?...all too likely, and she had, in one curious instant, felt its touch on her mind. Trouble was coming.... * * * On the edge of vision, the human woman retreated, and a whisper of darkness fled across the landscape...a whisper which, if translated into human language, would have quite resembled a curse. The mind-witch, had, by a stroke of luck(and something other) detected its touch. Things would be getting far more challenging...and soon. The Z'nipc rubbed its claws together. So be it. It enjoyed a challenge... And soon enough, the Lords of Order would pay for their crimes... * * * William started out of sleep. A knock on the door? Rising wearily, he strode across to the opening, and slid the door aside... Oh...Hell. "Brianna. What ever it is, can't it wait until morning?" He winced, and clasped a hand to his head. Brianna's eyes were dark...uncanny, against her blood coloured hair. "It cannot wait. I swore, months ago, to protect you and stand by your side against all comers. This is one such time. We have a problem, William...a big one." "Explain." "No. Not here, and not now. We must get away from this place, and as fast as possible. We must convince G'kael and his ally to get us offworld, and there, we will come together with the Others in this area. This is a problem we *cannot* solve by ourselves. We may need help...and you know *very* well who from." * * * June 16th, 2259...Babylon 5... "So..." Corrolan mused, while across from him, Gideon stood his ground. "You accuse me of something...surprising. But I suppose it had to happen...sooner or later." "Is it the truth." Gideon demanded, his voice a whip. "And if it is, I would know why you lied to me." Corrolan smiled. "The truth is lost in shades of gray, my friend, you do know what the Vorlon's say, don't you?" "What?" "That truth is a three-edged sword...their side, your side, and the *real* truth. Are you ready for the REAL truth, Walther? Because if you're not, you don't want to take this any farther then it's gone already." "It's either one of two things that are going to happen now. You're going to tell me the truth...or I'm out...that is, completely out. This is the first time you haven't given me a reason to trust you, and maybe it'll be the last time...but maybe not, you never do know, do you? That's the way liars are." "We need you, Walther. More then you know." Corrolan rose. "Very well...if convincing is what you need, then I cannot do it here. We have to go someplace...more interesting. Someplace where all the answers to all your questions can be determined." Gideon's mouth twisted. "And what, pray tell, is the name of this mythical place?" "Not mythical, my friend...oh no, not at all." Corrolan turned for the door, and Gideon was forced to follow. "Not at all mythical, is the world called...*Z'ha'dum*...as you'll find out...all too shortly." ***************************************************************************** And just when you thought it was going to be simple, I am a devious chap. ***************************************************************************** Next: The battles of light against dark continue, both on the frontlines of the Spreading Great War, and at the edge of the Night. Westcastle and the rest of his cadre face off against the deviousness of the Shadow Servant, while Gideon is exposed to the nightmare called...Z'ha'dum. "The Dark Side of the Soul", coming soon... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 9a (revised) Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 11:53:00 -0700 (MST) Previous version had a mistake in it. This is the real McCoy. ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 9 "THE DARK SIDE OF THE SOUL" PHASE I OF III ** "Far from the simple reality it seems in evaluation was the situation of Walther Gideon. Initially a companion to the Westcastles, Gideon then displayed an increasing sense of corruption brought on, apparently, by his need for business success...a need that downspiraled him into the hands of the Shadows very early in the conflict..." ** Amanda Zefram Teague: "The Other Side of Darkness" * * * June 18th, 2259... "By G'quan!! G'kael proclaimed, half in anger, as he entered the *K'vel*'s command ready room, "I was beginning to suspect, Ko'cha, that you wouldn't come at all. Luckily for you, I was proven wrong." Ko'cha rotated into view, and fixed his friends with a penetrating eye. "That I was able to come at all was an exercise in willpower, G'kael. There are only *six* of our ships still in running order, and our Warleaders are no longer as concerned about the Service as they have been. It is more to their benefit in these days to have the shipyards turn out as many cruisers and dreadnaughts as is possible." "Bah! That is all they think about in these times, how to fight, and how do die. The Service was built to stop this from happening, and through the machinations of the Centauri, we have been brought to this end. Will they not listen to reason??" Ko'cha turned, and spat an oath. "You know better, G'kael...in the blood lust of battle, reason is the first thing to go." The Narn shipleader let out a sigh. "However, for the moment, the problems of the war are furthest from my mind. I have to be *more* concerned with the company you are keeping, where they are going, and *why*. It is only out of loyalty to your family, G'kael, that I keep my silence. I would have an answer from you on this..before we continue." "You know *very* well what they are here for, Ko'cha...the reason speaks in *this*," G'kael pointed mirthlessly at his scars and missing eye, "And in your memories. You keep your silence for fear of death, but death is coming for all of us, Ko'cha, if these humans and the rest that work with them do not change the odds. The Darkness is spreading everywhere...and the humans, in their striving, may be all that stands against it." Ko'cha nodded. "I thought as much...I do not choose to die under the deathly beams of those dark creatures and their ships, if I can help it. Very well, G'kael, you have my silence, my loyalty and my word...as always. Where do we go...Spymaster?" * * * Thirteen hours later...the Narn Frontier... "Very well..." Tashann drily remarked, as he and Dreann disembarked from the tiny Ranger ship that had carried them so far away from their home, "But your message decried a matter of urgency. We are here...talk of the matter, and we will decide the importance of it...and how we should proceed in the matter." "It is *more* then important..." Brianna insisted, her eyes angry, "It is death, if we cannot stop it. The Shadows have sent some sort of...creature...to watch us, and test us. The First night we were on Narn, it made a mistake, and revealed itself to me telepathically...and it knew it, too. Now the stakes have been raised...the Watcher is aware we know of it, and if it decides to Test us again, the Test could very well be lethal. The Z'nipc, for that is how it thinks of itself, will not play this game placidly, I assure you." The two Minbari listened to this stolidly, and then nodded. "Some have *suspected* that the accident at Tuzanor was not natural, but there was no proof of outside interference...until now." "Are you suggesting..." Jennie incredulously put in, "That a Servant of the *Shadows*, this Z'nipc, reached the surface of Minbar?" "It is...a distinct possibility...and a sobering one." Tashann replied. "The Enemy has many resources we do not, and their power continues to spread." "The Shadows..." William roughly put in, "Are powerful, and their servants are many...but they are *not* indestructible. They've been defeated before, and this Z'nipc thing, like all things dark, has its interests. If we play this right, we *might* be able to trap it into making an error it wouldn't normally make...an error based on its own nature." "Explain." Will nodded at Brianna, and she continued. "This creature is most interested in observing the results of its little games unseen. But now, we've got a weapon to detect it...*me*. And I don't think, at this point, that it's going to give up. It's either us...or it." "Understood." Dreann added. "However, it is prudent to note that the Shadow interest in your cadre, William, continues unabated...by Valen, I would know why." "Well if we trap it, I guess we can ask it firsthand, now can't we??" "Agreed. But for now, William, Ranger One has ordered us to assist you in your current mission. We will observe the Narn-Centauri conflict with the aid of G'kael...and should this...Z'nipc interfere, then we will capture it, or..." Dreann regretfully added, "Kill it, if it cannot be captured." * * * Several thousand kilometers below and behind the *K'vel*, a tiny ripple passed through space....a ripple which decried the presence of the Z'nipc vessel, safely shielded from view in hyperspace. Its Masters had given it a sensor that partially existed in real space...as long as the Z'nipc had a trace on its targets, the mission would continue. The Red Glare of the Z'nipc's eyes intensified; for a while longer, at least. But if the targets displayed as much talent as the Masters had suggested, and it continued to observe, then the Z'nipc looked forward to doing something it liked doing *very* much... Killing... * * * June 21st, 2259...the Rim... The tiny, but well appointed ship sprang back into normal space with a stomach-wrenching churn, and Walther shuddered. The ancient gates out on the Rim had been built by a race unknown to Man...and while they worked, some of them worked...strangely. He looked out the port...and nodded grimly. Where they were now was as far beyond human space as it was possible to go. Behind them, a dimly glowing band of stars stretched across the sky...the Milky Way, intensified now by the increased distance from its core...while ahead, and all around them, a gigantic nebula the colour of blood covered the heavens. Directly ahead, a single planet hung in space...a planet ribbed with vast black scars. Expression grim, he joined Corrolan. "That's Z'ha'dum? It looks...dead." Corrolan smiled...strangely. "Yes...what were you expecting, Gideon? A fortress, perhaps? A vast proving ground of death? They do not operate that way....as you will shortly discover. However, first, they have decided that a brief demonstration of their abilities is in order. Observe." Again, at that point, Gideon heard a faint rasping, buzzing sound in the spacecraft, and it seemed(now that he knew what to watch for) that Corrolan *listened* to it... And then...a nightmare from his past returned to the forefront of his consciousness. Something he had actively tried to disbelieve...but now...*NOW*, there was no hope for that at all, as in front of Corrolan's spacecraft, a more then mile-wide section of vacuum curdled...darkened...and resolved into a vast, glistening, quite BLACK spacecraft of terrifying, insectoid potential... "There you have it.." Corrolan gestured, as the Shadow cruiser slowly spun through space, screaming darkly, and then in a single rush, flashed out of view and faded from sight again. "That was your first truth, Gideon...there is more to come, as I'm sure you realize." Gideon looked towards the surface of Z'ha'dum with a sinking heart. It had all been the truth...everything that William had said...he had been such a *fool* not to believe. But now...*now*, there was another chance...if a slim one. If *HE* could get into the heart of the enemy camp, and out again, and then get the information to wherever William and Jennie were now...then maybe...just *maybe*, he could redeem himself... In the back of his head, a voice tittered...a voice his conscience knew all too well...the voice of the man he had become... Too late, Gideon!...the voice taunted, as the surface of Z'ha'dum resolved into a blasted wasteland covered, here and there, with vast, sky-scraping pillars. You're in far too deep to back out now, Gideon, too late! They have you just where they want you, Gideon, and you know it.... Shut up...*SHUT...UP* But the voice didn't shut up, and Gideon very much feared that it was telling the truth this time... * * * June 23rd, 2259...the Front Lines... The harsh thunder of the K'vel's main gun spoke again, as above and behind, the Narn Heavy Cruisers *N'vol* and *Ka'nal*, accompanied by two smaller destroyer-class escorts, bore onwards against the trio of Centauri war cruisers that had ambushed them. Space was crossed with laser and plasma discharges...the colours of death... "Now you have seen the true face of our war..." Ko'cha remarked from his command chair, as across from the shipleader, Jennie and Will watched on, their faces deathly grim. "The truth of what is going on here." It's horrible, Jennie told herself, as outside in the vacuum, Narn and Centauri died, and the battle went on. But the history of this war is soaked in the blood of their ancestors. They hate each other...and if the Shadows have their way, both races will pay the price... Abruptly, one of the Centauri cruisers shatterd into five great fragments in a massive explosion as its fusion reactor overloaded and detonated. The other two Centauri vessels were partially caught in the explosion, and that was all Narns needed, as first one, and then the other Centauri cruiser was triangulated by the weapons of the small Narn fleet, and destroyed. The Narn had won *this* engagement, but great rents showed in the skin of the N'vol and its escort...and repair would be difficult... Short minutes later, space twisted in a orange flash, and the fleet retreated into hyperspace, their job done...for now. With a motion of his hand, she gestured Ko'cha over. "The truth, Shipleader...you won this engagement, but the Centauri won't give up, not now they're dreaming dreams of empire again. Do you think you can stop them?" Ko'cha's mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Without help from your race...or the Minbari?...the rest? You know the answer. The Centauri possess superior technology to us in waging war, even though their fleets have diminished in size since we broke away from their Empire...and of course, there is the matter of their allies. They destroy three or four of our ships for every two we destroy of theirs. Eventually..." The Narn fell silent, and she nodded. The Rangers could observe...but the curse of the Rangers was that they could not yet *act*... And the Narns would pay the price of defeat long before that happened, if things continued the way they were... * * * June 24th, 2259...Z'ha'dum... Three days now, they had left him alone, in this *admittedly* well set out section of the labyrinth of the Shadows. Comfortable...every need provided...but set aside from the business of the world, in more ways then one...Gideon paced, his face bitter. When would it end? And WOULD he be given the chance he needed? The voice in his head laughed, and his face grew even more bitter. A rumble behind him made him jump, and he whirled, and then frowned. Corrolan, this was not...but instead, a clean cut, well shaven...but *dark* man, a man who *extruded* the prescence of those who lived here... The man bowed. "Forgive us for leaving you on your own for so long..Mr. Corrolan and I have been...busy." "And what should I call you?" "*You* may call me...Morden." Morden waited expectantly for him to respond, and when no response came, inclined his head. "Your silence is protracted and suprising, given your supposed reason for coming here. If you want answers, it will be necessary for you ask questions." Morden crossed the room, and took a seat. "Sit." "I'd rather stand, thank you very much." Morden's expression darkened. "*SIT*" Gideon sat. "Ask your questions." Morden invited. "All being well, they will be answered. And then we will determine what is to come next." "Fine...lets...start with...the Shadows." Morden smiled. "The Shadows...not their real name, of course, *that* name was given them by the Minbari. Their real name is ten thousand characters long...I've learned to say it...and in time, so will you." "We'll see." Morden's smile returned. Gideon shuddered. "Fine...have it your way." He took a deep breath. "What's the point, and what's my involvement in all this?" Time to bite the bullet... "Interesting questions, with more then interesting answers. Those that you call the Shadows are the oldest race currently living in this galaxy. The Vorlons, those that your former *friends* have chosen to side with, have stood in emnity against them for longer then OUR race has been sentinent. *They* believe in advancement through the art of chaos..the art of war, you might say, while the Vorlons...you might call the Vorlons, 'Lords of Order'...unchanging, unyielding...intolerable. *They* have invited certain humans to this place, to learn exactly what I'm telling you now...Mr. Corrolan and myself are counted among those. Finally, and perhaps, most importantly, Walther, they are interested in you for a...somewhat different reason. The Other side now has working for them your former companions Westcastle and Clifford..." Morden's smile twisted a little bit. "A dangerous combination...a combination that can, if all goes well, be turned to our advantage. But that will require your help, Walther..." The small kernel of fear inside Walther grew larger. "I..." Morden rose, and stood over him, his gaze intense. "You wanted the truth, Walther...and my...associates always give individuals they're interested in what they want." "And..if I want out?" Morden laughed. "It's much too late for *that*, now...Walther." Abruptly, two sinister, insectoid forms resolved out of the air beside Morden, and Gideon, in a panic, rose and backed away...into a long, chitinous, pointy object. He turned...slowly...and looked full face into another thing...just...LIKE..the ones with Morden. The thing wrapped its arm around Walther's neck...and the panic became abyssmal... The Thing's eyes *opened*... And Walther finally screamed... * * * June 25th...Tuzanor... Sinclair read the report, and sighed. The Rangers on Babylon 5 had reported the worst...not so much for the Cause, but for the well being of William and Jennifer. Out of the hundreds, soon to be thousands of Rangers, those two, and others, such as Marcus Cole, *meant* something to him...and this was more then a concern. Walther Gideon had vanished from sight, and Sinclair very much feared that the Shadows had him at last... Something had to be done.. "#You cannot#" the by now familiar voice of Ulkesh annnounced, and Sinclair looked up to see the Vorlon standing in the entrance to his study. "#They must NOT know. It cannot be allowed#" "Like Hell! They, above all others, *deserve* to know about this!" "#The Lost One has descended into darkness. The Watcher will face the Lost One during the time of Fire, and then will the outcome be determined#" The Vorlon turned, and drifted away, and Sinclair silently cursed. So be it...it was not wise, even now, to cross Ulkesh. William and Jennifer would find out in due course, by themselves, about Gideon...since it seemed, if the Vorlon was to be believed, that sooner or later, during the course of the war now unfolding, that Gideon would confront his former companions... Where and when that would occur, was the important question... ***************************************************************************** To be continued...next week... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 9b Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 13:45:41 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 9 "THE DARK SIDE OF THE SOUL" PHASE II OF III ** "Several times during the time of running along the initially slow-moving, and finally collapsing front lines of the Narn-Centauri war, we found ourselves caught up in direct engagements with Centauri forces. The first time, the Narn warships accompanying us were more then sufficient to shield us from attack. But with the servant of the Darkness tracking our progress, and the Regime's fleet needed elsewhere, it seemed that even if I would be able to attack this creature directly and help to defeat it, that we would then find ourselves, if we were not careful, at the mercy of the Centauri. I remember being so frightened and so resolute at the same time. Ulkesh's constant, distant song was one of the only comforts I had..." ** Brianna Tolmanes, as quoted in Michael S. Haskin's "The Lords of Order" * * * July 4th, 2259...Gvoladsh IV.... Chronicles Log...Remembrances...July 2259... The Gvoladsh system was far enough off the front lines by this stage in the war for us to do what needed to be done. The Rangers had constructed a small base in the system against the need to retreat to bases of redoubt should Minbar fall to the Shadows and their minions. Indeed, Dreann and Tashann had helped in the final construction of the base...and it was here that Jennifer, Brianna, myself and the other two Rangers headed, with a still slightly dubious G'kael in general agreement. Ko'cha dropped us in orbit, loaned us the use of a shuttle, and along with the small Ranger craft we already possessed, we descended to the surface, hoping that the Z'nipc, given the chance to strike again in a remote, unseen portion of the galaxy, would try its arts on us again. We were, of course, right on that assumption. As it later turned out, this particular minion race of the Shadows, once given a task by their masters, fulfilled that task faithfully, even until death. In our case, it seemed that the Shadows were beginning to be concerned enough about our alliance with Light, even on top of their already curious interest in us, to warrant killing us, and stopping us from doing any further damage. The Destiny we would end up playing would justify that response, and it was all too lucky that we were ready for what came next... * * * High over the north pole of Gvoladsh IV, a tiny black, scorpion-shaped vessel flickered into view, and began to descend. The Z'nipc carefully, methodically...and eagerly guided its ship down into the lower atmosphere. Its targets and their companions had descended to the surface of this world less then an hour before...and the puny vessel of the Narns had departed, needed elsewhere for now. A perfect opportunity, and the Z'nipc had just about made up its mind what needed to be done. The Masters had been correct in their warnings...after one test and a great deal of observation..it could be determined that these three were more dangerous to the Masters then needed. It was *true* that if they lived, they would play out their destinies, but those destinies stood to damage both sides...intolerable!...things had NOT gone as planned. The Masters were becoming irritated..and when the Masters became irritated, action was ALWAYS necessary. In this case, the Z'nipc would track its targets to the tiny base to the south, slip in undetected(the mind-witch was the biggest concern) and methodically...carefully.. Kill. * * * Night... "You are sure?" Ericsson enquired, his brow serious. "Very sure that this is necessary, William? We will aid you if you need it...but you seem very sure you can take care of the creature by yourselves. Can you?" William nodded curtly. "This thing needs to be stopped before it does any more damage then it already has. It will dog our steps until we do away with it..that time has arrived..that time is *now*" "You aim to trap this creature...fair enough, and understandable. Is it.." "Here?" Brianna coolly put in, her gaze both attentive...and elsewhere... "Ye..ss. It has landed, and has gathered its force. It is coming...here. *Soon*." "Then it's going to get a surprise." Jennie promised, her eyes dark...her hand, openly clenching her denn'bok... * * * The Z'nipc looked to the stars, where two of this system's planets were currently in conjunction, and then back down to the now nearby domes. None of this world's moons were currently up...and all was silent. The environment was hostile to those within the domes...but the Z'nipc paid no heed..it was above such things. With barely a whisper, it approached the wall. Getting *into* this place would be child's play. For a moment, a lacy, black sphere sprang into existence around the Z'nipc, and then, it faded from sight... A hiss ran over the sand, and a small utility cover slowly darkened...and then lightened again. Inside the dome, a matching, pressure utility hatch also darkened...and then, a shimmer appeared in the near deserted hallway...a shimmer with glowing red eyes, quickly covered. The technology of the Masters was older then those it stalked suspected...with that technology, the Z'nipc could be both watcher...tester... And assassin. The hiss moved off down the silent corridor. Foolish of them to come to this place...now they would *pay*... * * * The tight know of fear in Jennie's stomach intensified as nearby, Brianna went further into her fugue state then she had ever seen her go before. Her dark eyes were now almost completely *black*, pupils expanded so much that the rest of the iris had just about vanished. It had something to do with that Vorlon...it had *to* be... "Get ready." Brianna whispered, in that tight, not-quite-there voice she had when actively using her now more or less well honed abilities to their full extent. "It's almost....here." Jennie twisted the Denn'bok slightly, and it sprang open. Threaten them, would this thing?? Very well...it was time for her to experience the truth of what she was. When this thing showed itself, she would attack, and see what it's response would be... * * * Ten feet away, behind the barriers they had erected against the coming of the Z'nipc, Tashann and William direly looked across at the door, and then across at their companions, both of which had their pikes out and ready. Will quailed at the determined, near-rage of Jennie's gaze. Protective was no longer the word... "They will attack the thing the moment it shows itself." Tashann cautioned. "We must be ready to stop them and interrogate the creature, if possible..." "Agreed...I just hope that Brianna knows what she's doing..." * * * A numbing sensation crossed the Z'nipc's mind. The mind-witch was at work again; but no matter!...if they knew it was here, it would attack anyways, and *not* the way they were expecting... The black sphere came into being around it, and the wall faded to darkness outside the redoubt of those it sought... * * * <#NOW#> The voice of Ulkesh exploded across Brianna's mind. <#In Between, the Watcher will be seen. Act...or die#> She whirled, and saw the stain of darkness expanding across the wall behind Jennie and Dreann, and almost screamed. It wasn't coming through the door... But through the *wall*, instead... The song of Ulkesh ever present far in the distance, Brianna reached out and thoughts determined...touched the mind of the Z'nipc again. It was like descending into a dark, putrid sewer...a flood of darkness threatened to overwhelm her...but she found what she was looking for...the inherent spot of weakness in the thing's mind. The song of Ulkesh intensified in the background... She struck... * * * The Z'nipc doubled up, its passage through the wall only partly concluded. How!...the pain! The mind-witch would pay!! With a snarl of pain and frustration, it strode through, barely able to think, and prepared its attack.. And almost immediately met a whirlwind of death... * * * The bubbling, harsh scream warned them, and as one, Dreann and Jennie whirled, to see the red-eyed, insectoid creature behind them, reaching out and coming forward in a blur... "Fight it!!" Brianna screamed, her voice a rasp, her eyes black vortices into the darkness. "Now it is..vulnerable...but only for a..moment..." But *they* could move just as fast...in one smooth motion, Jennie and Dreann struck at the creature. Any surprise the Z'nipc had possessed was now lost to it...and the end result was exactly what the Rangers had wanted. They had drawn it into an arena of their choice, and out into the open. Brianna had attacked its mind in the vulnerable spot she had found before, and now the two wielders of the ancient pike were taking on its physical form... "Stop!!" William cried out, as Jennie raised her pike for the killing blow. "We have to try and interrogate it!" On the floor below, the Z'nipc's pincered, blood-covered face twisted into a rictus snarl. "N..ev...er." It reached for its belt... "Run!" Brianna screamed, her face a mask of horror. "It means to.." Jennie and Dreann threw themselves away from the body, hand over hand, and over the barriers...and just in time...as that end of the redoubt, the end around the body of the Z'nipc, vanished in a brilliant green flash. Chunks of chitinous armour rained down on them all...and the concussion drove everyone to the floor... There was a moment of silence amidst the rubble, and then five smoke covered heads, three human, and two Minbari, arose to make sense of the results of their trap. Tashann nodded grimly. "It is done. Unfortunate that we were unable to extract information from it..but the battle is done this day." "Successfully.." Will agreed, looking around. "If any of *you three* were hurt by that thing in any way, tell us *now*!" Across from him, Brianna raised a trembling hand...and then fainted dead away... * * * July 5th, 2259...Z'ha'dum... Eyes dark, Walther Gideon strode down the hallway, his mind clearer then it had been in months. It was exceptional that Corrolan had chosen to bring him to this place...and correct. Any and all doubts he had once had about those he had also once called the Shadows were gone now. His associate whispered in his ear about the plans that were underway...plans of grandeur...of war...of oppurtunities to last a lifetime! The hallway twisted slightly, and angled downwards, and the hallway abruptly lead out onto a balcony overlooking the great city below. Gideon quickly glanced up at the stars visible through the tremendous window overhead, and nodded. This was *the* place that things were beginning to happen from...face calm, thoughts firm, he strode out onto the balcony with his companion to join Corrolan, who was gazing down on the city, his smile broad...and sinister...an enviable quality, one that Gideon would no doubt have to learn... "They are pleased." Corrolan commented, turning to him above the thousands of lights below. "You have done well, Walther...very well, but the tasks have barely begun. Over the course of the next fourteen months, our associates, may their true name ever be upheld, will be taking greater and greater action against the younger worlds, advancing them into the chaos that will make them *stronger*" "Yes...I understand that. I understand *everything* now...the reasonings...and my place in the way of things." In the back of Gideon's mind, a faint, forgotten voice spoke up...and was *instantly* silenced. "I will return with Vendant to Babylon 5, and interact with the Organization on Earth. They are falling under our control all too easily." Corrolan nodded. "They *wanted* something...and they will get what they want. And if a few tens or hundreds of thousands of humans must die in order to fulfill that reality, then so be it...that is the way of things." Gideon nodded, his face impassive. "Indeed. I must go now, as you surely understand. I have work to do...great work." "As do we all..friend..." Corrolan briefly bowed to him in farewell as Gideon and his associate turned to leave. "As do we *all*." * * * July 6th, 2259...Gvoladsh IV high orbit... "You're sure you're feeling better, now?" Jennie inquired with concern. Brianna nodded. "It took a lot out of me, taking on the Z'nipc, that's all. We managed to stop it when it mattered, and a lot of that fell down to me." Nearby, Will sighed. "I just wish I could have done more to help you in what you two did." Jennie laughed, and wrapped her arms around him. "You did just fine, Will...being the leader and all. The leader is supposed to direct, and plan...and his warriors to protect, and attack all comers. This we did...this *you* did." "Fair enough. We should treat this as a object lesson, our first outside of the classroom or the arena. We succeeded *this* time...but the worst may still be to come." "I'm not going to argue with you about that." Jennie replied, her gaze moving elsewhere. "Now where the HELL is G'kael and Ko'cha?? They said they'd be back be now..." A sudden beeping caught their attention, and Dreann abruptly appeared from the direction of the flight deck. "Come. We have what you call 'a problem'." "What?" Will inquired, pulling himself into the flight deck, and looking upward through the viewport..."Oh." The comm system crackled....the voice authoritative, the manner Imperial..."This the Centauri War Cruiser Felarious to unknown shuttle. Stand away from the Narn vessel accompanying you, or be *destroyed*." * * * "It went well, then?" "Of course." Corrolan replied. Gideon responded exactly as planned." "All too well." Justin harrumphed. "The other options open to us are rapidly narrowing in number, and the Z'nipc, damn it all, failed in its task as well. If we cannot find a way to stop them *soon*, they will become a significant hindrance to our plans." "I understand that, sir. Gideon's sole task, although he doesn't know it yet, will be to foil the work of his former friends." "Very well, then..." Justin darkly added. "We will give some time to see if this works. *They* are growing concerned that the Watcher and the Stalker, damn stupid titles that they are for those two, are being diverted from the path. This must be corrected, and if it cannot, then eventually, they will have to be either elliminated, or brought here and converted. Is this clear?" Corrolan nodded. "Of course, sir. But give us a little time to see how things work...the next year and a half will be exceedingly busy on all of us, as you realize. If by the end of 2260, Gideon has not succeeded in his aims, then we will reconvene on the matter...." ***************************************************************************** To be continued... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 9c Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 11:52:44 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 9 "THE DARK SIDE OF THE SOUL" PHASE III OF III ** "Call it what you will, but the Riders got their beginnings in us five. That first mission together was our proving ground, and thereafter, word of what we had done began to spread. Of course, it would take the rest of 2259, and most of 2260, before we had what we needed, both in the White Star Fleet and numbers.... ...by the end of the war, having survived battles, engagements and missions almost beyond count, William and I became near legends in the Rangers, even after our retirement...not at *all* on the same level as our Commanders, but as I write this, it is clear that the Anla'shok will remember us for many, *many* years to come...whether this is a good thing, or bad, I can no longer tell."** From: "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities" * * * July 6, 2259...Gvoladsh IV... On the sullen red sands below, the inhabitants of the small Narn colony in the *almost* temperate regions of Gvoladsh looked to the skies and listened to their comm systems...and despaired. The arrival of a Centauri War Cruiser at this out-of-the-way system on the edge of the War zone was worse then bad luck. No ship of the Regime could *possibly* be close enough to help them... What had drawn the Centauri here was an interesting question. Gvoladsh produced an ore found only in two other places in the Regime, an ore necessary to the production of the Fleet's cruisers and dreadnaughts...had *that* drawn the Centauri?? Or was it the mysterious small base that a small group of humans had asked for(and received permission to build by the slightly dubious colony leaders) less then three months before?? What *was* clear was that the Centauri would soon be landing...and all questions would be answered soon enough... * * * Ten hours before... "Very suspicious..." Na'Van, the Warleader of the V'dal, remarked, as Ko'cha and G'kael stood before him, at ease. "But you have been right too many times, Spymaster, for me to ignore you. So, you say you left an intelligence team at G'voladsh, suspecting Centauri infiltration on our flank, and now the Centauri are on the brink of arrival, and you require our help? Warleader G'Sten approves of you, G'kael...but *this*..." "It is slightly less of a concern..." G'kael smoothly replied, "Now that the Ka'Rhi, in their infinite wisdom, have provided me with four new N'rothcka class vessels, a 'surprise from the main shipyards' they called it...I will echo you at this point...very suspicious!...but I do not argue with fate! Three of our original six vessels will accompany the V'dal to Gvoladsh for tactical support. I assure you, Na'Van, we will find the Centauri there already...perhaps not in great numbers...but they must be engaged, and my team recovered...*that* is of paramount importance." "Very well, G'kael. But this is the *last* time I do this. Our resources grow ever more strained..." * * * High Orbit... "This doesn't make *sense*...!" Jennie insisted, as over them, the *Felarious* continued to draw closer, making its threats. "If they had *wanted* to destroy us, they could have easily done so *already*!! Tashann's shuttle presents *no* impediment to that!" "Agreed." Dreann replied, her eyes cold. "There is more to this then we suspect. Also, we *know* that the Enemy has infiltrated the Centauri royal houses. This cruiser's commander might very well be serving the Shadows." "Do not move!!" the authoritative voice of the Centauri Captain boomed once again. "You will be taken aboard. If you deviate from your present course, you will be destroyed. This will be your *final* warning." "Look!" William barked, and the cadre changed their gaze to the black vacuum beyond the *Felarious*...where (oh my) the curdled orange flare of a jump point was forming... "The Narns?" "One can hope! Dreann??" "Done." The Minbari Ranger crisply replied, and they all hung on desperately as she twisted the shuttle into a hard overhand right spin, which Tashann, who had been listening to the conversation on ship-so-ship comm, immediately emulated. The gunners on the *Felarious* had, of course, been ready for just such a move, and great spikes of plasma immediately began to seek the two Ranger ships out...but quite suddenly, their attention was elsewhere, as behind, a Narn heavy cruiser and three of G'kael's smaller spyships erupted out of the jump point, and immediately fired upon the Centauri cruiser... "Great Timing..." Jennie breathed out, as a great chunk of superstructure exploded out of the port side of the Centauri cruiser, taking the portside horn with it... "More then that..." William dryly remarked, as a squadron of Narn fighters passed them on their way up to the *K'vel*, which was even now intercepting them. "I would say instead, that's just G'kael's style striking again...he sure does *like* saving us from ourselves, doesn't he?" Behind them, Brianna stifled a giggle, and nodded. "G'kael to Team One...G'kael to Team One." the familiar voice of the Narn crackled. "I apologize for the delay, but as you see, I suspected we would need the extra firepower." "No apologies." Jennie cut in, as behind them, the already heavily damaged *Felarious* turned to run, opening its jump point with the *V'dal* still in pursuit. "Since it seems that your Navy seems to win victories whenever we're around, and you need all the morale you can get." "Agreed." the reply came. "But I would suggest that you come aboard as soon as possible. The Centauri may be running *now*, but they will be back, I assure you...and in *greater* numbers then presently." The cadre could not disagree, and therefore, scant minutes later, after the two small Ranger craft were brought aboard, G'kael's small fleet turned towards the jump gate, just as William and his companions reached the bridge of the K'vel. "What about the V'dal?" Jennie inquired. "Na'van will keep his command on station during the evacuation of the colony. G'quan watch over him..I only hope they can get out before the Centauri return." "They will..." Brianna whispered, her gaze far away. "They will." G'kael and William exchanged one long glance, and then nodded. Of course. "Get us out of here, G'kael." William suggested, settling into a nearby, unmanned station seat. "We should be elsewhere...now." G'kael curtly nodded, and short minutes later, the tiny fleet jumped into hyperspace...and back towards the Narn homeworld... * * * July 11th, 2259...enroute from the Rim... Gideon slept the sleep of the damned..and of course, even though he had made the fateful choice, a choice that was in the end *inveitable*, he found himself divided into two men...a man of the waking world, devious and serving himself and his associates...and a man of the subconscious..the *weak* man he had been. Gideon dreamnt the dreams of the damned...and in that dream, he found himself facing what he had been... "It is sad to see..." the other remarked, shaking his head sadly, "Where you've taken us, Walther. Sad indeed, but what the Hell, it's our life, isn't it?" "Don't be a fool!" he snarled, striding forward to shout in the other's face. "Don't you see what my associates are giving us?...the other side doesn't have a hope, and they know it...little ants running around before the foot comes down. And I assure you, conscience mine, that the Shadows intend to do just that...that is how we will all be made *stronger*" "But of course...they *would* tell you that.." the other cryptically commented. "That was just what you wanted to hear." The other turned, and began to walk away. "I can see that I will have to go away for a time, there isn't going to be any way of convincing you of anything while their influence is this strong. But I *assure* you, Walther...when the time comes, you will turn one day, and there I will be. You chose your path, but there will come a time when the path will lead not to glory and success or refusal and banishment, but to *life* or *death*. And when that day comes, there will I be." "Begone!" he yelled, as the figure faded into the mists at the edge of the waking world. "I need you..." "..not!!" he whispered, coming awake with a start. Damn. That dream *again*... {He still troubles you} the whisper came. {It will not last} "Pay it no heed..." he whispered to the air, "No heed at all, my friend. The disturbances of the dream world as as mist to us, and have no effect upon that which we do." Walther rose from his bunk on the transport, and drew on a gray shirt, and a matching dark suit. A long, dagger-shaped talisman of blue crystal now hung at his neck...Morden had suggested that the past could be 'contained' within such a talisman, for right or wrong, and Gideon was not about to ignore such advice... * * * Narn...July 15th, 2259... "Disturbing news.." G'kael sighed, "But I feared as much. The V'dal was heavily damaged in an ambush during the final escape from Gvoladsh, and will be out of commission for at least...two months. I did not wish that upon Na'van, not at all...but that is the way our war is going." "I wish we could do more for you..." Brianna commented, her eyes downcast. "But if we wait any longer, the advance of the Centauri may cast doubts upon our own escape. We must return to free space...to where we can make a difference." "I understand!!" the Narn replied, his voice grave. "You must do what you must do...and you can do nothing more here...it is time for you to go." "What will you do, G'kael??" Jennie inquired, as she drew her cloak around her, the broach of the Rangers once more safely hidden. "The course of this war's end draws near for the Narn...your leaders are growing desperate, and when leaders get desperate, mistakes are made." "True, and true. As for me, when the inevitable happens, and the Centauri break through our lines and reach Homeworld, I will not be here...it would be best for me to dissapear for a time, especially since the Centauri will, no doubt, have orders to shoot me on sight. No, I will leave, and vanish..." "What will the Centauri do when they reach here?" "What do you think they will do, William?? Another reason I must leave before the end...the Centauri hate us enough to possibly use mass drivers on Homeworld, and a great many will die. I cannot prevent it, I can only predict what is to come...and by myself, I can do nothing...but dissapear...and then reappear, when the time is *right*" William and Jennie nodded, and stood closer together. "We understand...and we will see you again. By Valen's Name, we swear it." G'kael nodded. "Treasure what you have in one another, my friends, but now, you must go. We *will* see one another, G'quan willing, after the war is concluded. But for now...farewell." * * * Chronicles Log, Late July, 2259...(remembrances).. Time marches on, and the memories grow dimmer, but this one was the sharpest I remember from that period. It was difficult to leave our friend, he who had done so much for us since it all began, but G'kael had his path, and we had ours. In less then three months, the Narn Homeworld would find G'kael's prediction coming true, but he was long gone by then. We would see him again until the Darkness had begun its passing, but the return would be both joyous, and grave. But I get ahead of myself. Our job as Rangers was mostly long travelling, with the more then occasional bout of sheer terror. And it took *long* to get from place to place. Our return out of Narn territory was, in fact, a bit of a break after the constant, nerve-wracking events of the previous weeks...a time that Jennie and I used to full extent. Brianna, apparently, could hear Ulkesh even at that distance(somehow), and from all indications, the Vorlon was, at that time, pleased with her actions. That this would change somewhat in the weeks and months to come was only a result of what had happened on the 'other side of the fence' during our time in Narn territory...a detail we wouldn't know about until we returned to Babylon 5 in Early August... * * * The Ranger Compound, Tuzanor, late night...July 22, 2259... "They must mean a great deal to you, the way you talk about them." Catherine commented, her voice heavy with exhaustion...it had been another long day on them both. "The way you smiled when you found out they had succeeded in their mission...it didn't just make your day, it made *mine* as well. Why don't you tell me something about them?" Sinclair nodded, and sat down beside her, glass in hand. "Some of what we do is hard work...but some of it seems to be destiny, as well. That comes to me far too often, but I am not the only one, not by far. This war is going to revolve around certain focus points...I'm one...Delenn's another...and it's *starting* to look like Captain Sheridan might be one, as well. But these two, Clifford and Westcastle, are a focus for our forces as well...small for now, but growing. Westcastle, in particular, may find himself leading Ranger units in battle before too much longer...and what will come of that, I don't know. Jennifer Clifford is, as the Vorlons told, a Watcher born...her reports from Narn told us things we didn't even suspect. And for a little while, they're coming out of a fire...for a little while, they will be able to find peace, and not think about the Shadows. I can try and give them that, but it won't be long. Soon enough, I must use them again...use them like I use all the others...because I *must*. I don't want to, Catherine...but I don't have any choice...." Sinclair turned, alerted by the change in Catherine's breathing, and ruefully nodded. She was asleep...and all things considered, he wouldn't be doing wrong by following her example, for now... And finding a moment of peace amidst the madness... * * * July 26th, 2259...Nighthawk Colony Orbit... Mariallah Quesotz looked about the *new* Nighthawk orbital station, and shivered. A replacement for the one that had been so callously blown apart late the year before...an attack that had killed her friend Jennifer, and exiled William and Walther from the Force. And now, all the faces were alien, and unknown...but fair enough. She had felt like a fish out of water all year...in fact, ever since they had left for Earth, and now, a change was coming. She held her orders in her hand, slung her bags more tightly over her shoulder, and looked about. The great looming mass of her new assignment, the Omega Class Destroyer *NIOBE*, hung outside, small shuttles resupplying and vectoring about...now where was.. "Doctor Quesotz?" a pleasant voice intruded, and she turned, to see a sharp-looking, if young brunette-haired Captain approach. "Forgive the delay. I'm Captain Bethany Tikopai of the NIOBE." At last. Mariallah saluted, and then, with a smile, took the given hand, and shook it. "Pleased to meet you, Captain. A shame about Doctor Wallia, though...I've known him for quite a few years, and losing his family like that would be quite a blow." "And more then sufficient reason for EarthForce Command to transfer him back Earthwards." Captain Tikopai replied, her face now grave. "But I'm sure you'll do well as a replacement, Doctor...your reports have been nothing but good from the word go...and I *suspect*, from your expression, that you wanted a change anyways." "Yes, Captain...I *think* you could say that." "Then, let's go, Doctor..the NIOBE awaits." Mariallah walked away towards the shuttle, without looking back. Time for a change...time for...something *new*... * * * July 28th, 2259..Minbar... Ambassador Ulkesh drifted down the passageway, his thoughts dark, but pleased. Everything, for now, was going as planned. The other side continued the Game as planned, and no rules had been broken, even in the case of the recent attack by the Z'nipc upon The Stalker, The Watcher, and those who, even now, began to follow their destiny. Ulkesh had forbidden the One who Was from telling them what had occurred with the Lost One, to maintain order, but a new test would be coming for *them* soon enough. The Watcher would find out about the Lost One and what he had become, and then... Then, Ulkesh would *determine* the course of events from there. Deviation from the plan would be unacceptable...even for those controlled by destinies beyond their understanding... * * * ***************************************************************************** Next: The summer of 2259 is drawing to a close, and as war and conspiracy spread throughout the galaxy, the cadre discover the fate of Walther Gideon from a fairly surprising source, and the hunt begins..."Revelation's Shore", a three parter, beginning tomorrow.. ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 10a Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 11:50:31 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 10 "REVELATION'S SHORE" PHASE I OF III **"While there is no doubt that the Three of John Sheridan, Jeffrey Sinclair and Delenn were the most important One of the Great War, it is equally clear that the Shadows placed a great deal of emphasis on several other triads. The primary example I will use here is one that has been well covered in many other texts, including my previous work on the history of the Army of Light, and that example is the triad of William and Jennifer Westcastle, and their companion and fellow Ranger, the Telepath Brianna Tolmanes... ...especially during the middle months of 2259, the Shadows deviated remarkably from their prior actions in pushing Westcastle towards his destiny, and abruptly began to try and remove him from consideration. The now well-known example of the Shadow assassin attack in Narn space during the summer of 2259 has been well discussed. What is little known is that there were at least two more attempts on Westcastle's life before the Shadows changed their tactics yet again. The first was..."** From Amanda Zefram Teague's "The Other Side of Darkness" * * * August 4th, 2259...Tuzanor...the Ranger Compound. Things were going remarkably well, Sinclair considered thoughtfully, better in most respects then they should have been. Catherine, and Marcus, were well on their way to becoming Rangers, and sooner, rather then later, they would take the vows that all Rangers did. It still concerned him, even now, to see Catherine going in this direction...but she had sworn that she would never leave him again. He feared that vow would place her in the path of the Shadow advance before too much longer...and that there would be absolutely nothing he could do to help when the inevitable happened. What would he do, if she died in the service of the Rangers?? Would he be able to continue? *Did* he have any other choice?? Sinclair knew the answers...and didn't like it one little bit. But for now, a greater problem faced him, a problem he had to solve equally well. The Shadows had, by the look of things, managed to subvert a former accomplice of his nearly most valuable Rangers...and despite all, including the warnings of Ambassador Ulkesh, Sinclair refused to stand by and let Walther Gideon surprise them...and, quite possibly, destroy those he had once stood by. Face grim, he touched the toggle on his desk. "Send him in." A youthful, blonde haired man stepped into the room...Talion...one of the more promising recruits from the late spring. Sinclair had been reluctant to send Talion offworld until now, he had been more valuable in helping to train the now near-deluge of new recruits. But now, the time had come.. "Entil'zha. You sent for me...and so I have come." "Good Morning, Talion...take a seat." After they both sat, Sinclair cut straight to the point. "Talion, we have a problem...a problem I have known about for some time now. Do you know of William Westcastle and his group of Rangers??" Talion's eyes came alight. "Yes, Entil'zha!...the Rimstalker and his companions are well known to us all, and stand as examples for us to follow. They have stood against the Night, gathered information and knowledge in your name, and even stood against a dark servant of the Enemy. They are as a light for us all!" Sinclair frowned. The *Rim*stalker?? Interesting...it seemed that the title the Vorlons had for William had leaked into the general Ranger population...changed somewhat, but this was both an interesting, and useful happening, given the role that William would eventually play. He would not stand in the way of Destiny...especially given that it wasn't his own he was dealing with, at least for a little while... "Agreed, for the most part. However...Talion, William and his team are now threatened by a force we have known of for some time...a insidious force that in the past, has not been touched, for risk of igniting the wrath of their masters. But now, the Shadows have subverted one of Westcastle's former colleagues..." "Entil'zha!" Talion sprang to his feet, face full of alarm. "And the Rimstalker does not know of this??" "No. You will recall, Talion, that William and his team have only just returned from Narn space. There has been no time, and far more important things were required of them...and us. But now, they have returned to a place where we can warn them, and thus, Talion, I charge you with finding them, joining them, and warning them of this threat." "It shall be done, Entil'zha. Do I have your permission to depart?" "With all speed, Talion." "Then, I go." Talion bowed. "Entil'zha veni! In Valen's name." "Godspeed, Talion." As the young Ranger left, Sinclair allowed himself to recline in his chair, fingers steepled in thought. Soon enough, the one he was waiting for would arrive, now this action had been taken... a few minutes passed. And then... "##You were warned.##" the deep, sonorous, and seemingly now *angry* voice intoned, and Sinclair turned to see the bulk of Ambassador Ulkesh enter the room. "##Matters will not now go as easily. The Darkness will react...dangerous##." "I expected you to say that, Ulkesh...but I refuse to let them face that fate without any warning. I watch over them *all*, and if they are to die as a result of the battles to come...then they will at *least* have warning." "##Your warning is irrevelant##" "We'll see..." Sinclair commented, and turned away. * * * Ulkesh drifted down the corridor, his thoughts a turmoil of anger. *He* had been warned, and he had ignored the warning. However!...what was done was done, and Ulkesh had been warned by the Many that too much interference would divert the One who Was from his own destiny...and if that occurred, then all would be lost. The path of the lesser One would now be brought into conflict with the Lost One in a manner not anticipated..a great many things would change. Ulkesh considered the changes carefully, and the turmoil of thought continued. Chaos stood to triumph in this matter unless a greater hand was played...something *they* were not ready for. But there was now no longer any choice... For once the Stalker was warned, he would, by nature, act on the warning...and the pattern would be disrupted. *That* could not be allowed...so be it. The iris of Ulkesh's encounter suit narrowed in thought. *If* the pattern was to take this form, then he would have to play a greater part then previously planned... * * * August 11th, 2259...Babylon 5 nearspace... "What a mess..." Jennie whispered, as they leant against one another, eyes wide. Far off to the side, lights moved against the darkness...the lights of recovery teams from the Narn, Earth and Centauri governments, swarming over the wrecks of the two opposing cruisers that had faced off, and destroyed each other less then twenty-four hours before. Megatons of wreckage would need to be removed before the shipping lane leading from the jumpgate could be made entirely safe again.. William shook his head. It was a sign of the times when the conflict now occurring over a thousand cubic lightyears could spread into neutral territory with such frightening velocity. And what was *worse*, or so the Ranger contacts on Babylon 5 had reported, was that there had been an ISN team *on* Babylon 5 that had reported on the civilian hostilities that had lead up to this firefight...and the media would *not* display what needed to be told...they never did, *especially* not ISN. He turned his gaze to the slowly growing station, and put that situation out of his mind. He was, of course, happy to be returning here, but what would they find onboard? The Entil'zha had told them to return here, and that a message or messenger would soon arrive... It would not be good news...it never was. William's lips tightened. Sooner or later, the Shadows would not just ignite wars from the background, they would step out into the open. But for now, the greater concern was observing that background maneuvering, and, if possible, stopping it... * * * "So..." Emil Trask, the dark, sardonic representative that the Organization had sent to Babylon 5 to replace him, commented, "Now that you've gone up in the world, Gideon, it seems that I will be dealing with you to a much greater extent then I have in the past. No matter...as long as your 'associates', as you call them, continue to give us what we need and want, the situation will unravel as *we* require. You're just the messenger boy, aren't you?? A high placed messenger boy, but nevertheless..." Gideon allowed himself to continue smiling, even as a dark, bitter anger surged within. This man, Trask, was a simpleton, and displayed it often. Surprising that the Organization employed such a man, but then again, perhaps not. Those that headed the Organization were slowly becoming more visible as time went on(take the Nightwatch, for instance) and those at the Top rarely wanted followers with *brains*... "Trask, you should watch your words more carefully, my friend. You never do know when someone might be, shall we say, *watching or listening*...now do you?" Trask rather abruptly looked around, and then the smile returned. "And I'm supposed to believe everything you say, is that it?" "It is in your better interest to believe, Trask. For now, my associates have also instructed me to pass on a message. I expect that this message will be passed on to your superiors, without any alterations on your part. If the message is altered in any way, my associates will, I assure you, know of it...and they will *respond*. I trust, Mr. Trask, that you are smart enough not to want that outcome??" Emile Trask's face was now a little sweaty. Full of bluster he was, *unless* someone stood up to him, and threatened him with a fate worse then he wanted. Trask had *seen* images of the warship recovered by Gideon's masters on the planet Mars...and the sheer *power* behind even ONE of those ships was enough to make him pause. He had just needed a little... Reminding. "Speak your message." "To date, my associates have freely given their help to the Organization, in the hope that the Earth Alliance will benefit. But now, there may be a price tag...a small one, but in the turmoil that will be coming, your superiors must be prepared for us to ask...a small favour of the Organization and her men. If this favour is asked, we expect an instant acceptance...or the deal will be changed even further...and *that* change, I assure you, Mister Trask, is *not* one you will like. Do I make myself...quite...clear?" By this point, Gideon was displaying the cold, threatening expression that served Corrolan and Morden so well. "You..do." Trask reached out, and abruptly grabbed the containers. "Will that be all..." and after a brief pause, "Sir?" Gideon smiled. * * * Aug 12th, 2259... William sauntered through the Zocalo, with intent...but displaying no specific destination. He would wander, until Talion, who had contacted them enroute late last night, showed up. Any time now... The touch on his arm signalled him, and without pause, William took a hard right, and climbed out of the main corridor. Only after descending several dozen flights of stairs, and several levels, to an area less populated, did he allow himself to turn and speak... "Talion...it is good to see you again." "And I will say the same, William...it is good to see that your mission along the front lines of the Narn-Centauri War went well, and that none of you were harmed...but I will cut to the point, yes? The Entil'zha is pleased with your successes, and therefore, he has decided to place me under your command, for now. The Entil'zha cannot do everything by himself, as you realize..." "I am honored to serve, and to lead, and Valen willing, I will pleased to work with you in the months to come, Talion. But I can also see on your face that you are leading up to something...something perhaps that you feel uncomfortable in discussing." Talion nodded his head curtly. "There is disturbing news. Approximately three months ago, your former accomplice and fellow officer, Walther Gideon, was seen together with the known agent of the Shadows called Corrolan..." William stiffened. Corrolan...the man who had sent Brianna over the edge into madness...and Walther had fallen in with him?? He liked the sound of *this* not at all. "Continue." "Slightly less then a month after that, Corrolan and Gideon vanished from Babylon 5. It is the opinion of all that they went to Z'ha'dum. And enroute to this place, I received word that Gideon has returned..and that he changed...for the worse. William...this is quite serious, enough so that the Entil'zha *ordered* me to tell you this. Gideon *knows* you and Jennifer, especially her, and the Shadows *may* order him to act against you. You must be ready for such an assault, if it does come." Unbelievable! William turned and slammed his fist into the wall in frustration, ignoring the pain that caused. He had *warned* Gideon this might happen...but Walther had gone sailing out of their lives, and into the hands of the Shadows. And now...now, it was more then likely what he had been was now twisted into a dark image of the Gideon that was...colder... manipulative...and evil... "I can see that this news does not please you, I feared that would be the case. We must find Jennifer and Brianna, sir...if Gideon is on this station, they could be in danger. Where, might I ask, are they??" "In conference with our contact on the station, a friend of the Entil'zha's, Chief Michael Garibaldi. That should now be concluded, however, and we should be able to find them in our quarters below." "Let us proceed there..." Talion suggested, his expression dark, "with all speed, sir, and pray we are not too late!" * * * "He's got..." Brianna commented, "An interesting personality." "But for now..." Jennie replied, "He is, as the Entil'zha suggested, the ideal contact person on the station. Eventually, it our intent that the other officers know of this threat...but that time is not yet. And until it is, Mr. Garibaldi requires that any Ranger activity on the station go thorugh him...a most acceptable request. The Entil'zha trusts him...and so must we." "Agreed...." Brianna's gaze wandered through the crowd, and then, she rather abruptly grabbed Jennie's shoulder, and yanked off into a side passage. "What the..." "Be silent!" Brianna hissed, "And observe!" Jennie did...and stiffened. Walking together in the main corridor, in a manner that would have caused them to meet, was Corrolan, Brianna's nemesis... And Walther Gideon. "In Valen's Name..." she whispered. "Together..." "This is bad." Brianna intently replied, drawing her hood up over her head. "Very bad. We must assume, if they are together, that your former commanding officer now serves those that Corrolan do." "The others have to know." "Agreed. Let us go...*now*" * * * "You saw?" Corrolan commented, as with a polite nod, Vendant fell in with them. "Yes..." Gideon distantly replied. "Jennifer Clifford and Brianna Tolmanes. They saw us, right after we saw them. So...they are back on the station." "Precisely. And as you know, our associates have required us to take action should they appear. That that is quicker then we expected is of no concern to us...and indeed, can be taken advantage of." Corrolan turned to a now expectant Vendant. "You understand what must be done?" Vendant bowed. "I do." Corrolan smiled his smile. "Very well, then. The game we have been playing must be put aside for the time being, then, and replaced with a far more interesting one...one I will enjoy playing. Those who serve Order are becoming a threat to us. And now, we must, if possible, act to *remove* that threat. That is our prime concern for now...all else must fall by the wayside." Gideon watched this all with thoughts cold and distant. Unfortunate that his former accomplices had gone this way...*most* unfortunate. But that was the way of things. In the distance, his companion whispered thoughts of death. And Gideon leaned forward to embrace those thoughts... ***************************************************************************** To be continued... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 10b Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 16:57:34 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 10 "REVELATION'S SHORE" PHASE II OF III "If their past choices are anything to go by, they will first try to determine if the information is correct. Once that has happened, they will check back with their oh-so-glorious leader, who will give cautious approval to check things out. And after that...friends...it's entirely up to us as to how things go..." - remarks attributed to Walther Gideon in mid Aug 2259... August 12th, 2259...Babylon 5... "You understand what must be done?" Vendant inquired, as Taaldon sat back and inhaled the peculiar potion he carried with him at all times. "If you tell them this, with your mind, and your unique position, it can be done." "Very well..." the tall, sallow alien that called itself Taaldon, replied. "Your side, or the other, gives me what I want, and what I am. I cannot argue. It will not last much longer, if what I see is true, but for now, I will do as you ask. Ask your companion to show himself, and let us conclude the matter." Vendant nodded, his distaste plain. * * * William, with Talion close behind, moved into the Ranger quarters at speed, and shut the heavy, circular metal door behind them. This portion of DownBelow was little used, as was common in some other parts of the station, and thus, it was ideal for a Ranger command post. William, as senior Ranger currently onboard (or Anla'shok val'na, as Tashann or Dreann would say) was nominally in charge of the post, and while the Rangers did not often make an issue of seniority, it seemed that now was going to be one of those times... "Val'na Westcastle!.." Tashann sharply commented, "Given the current situation, perhaps choosing someone *else* to go and meet Talion would have been preferable. Next time, consult with *us* first...you are far too valuable to lose at this time." He looked around at the faces around the room...Tashann and Dreann, cold and knowing...Jennifer and Brianna, flushed...and angry. "You know." "We SAW them.." Jennifer hissed, abruptly withdrawing and driving her denn'bok into the deck. "Corrolan and Gideon, together! It's true, isn't it?? How could he be so *stupid* as to turn to the Shadows?...to serve them??" William smiled thinly. "They gave him what he wanted. First wealth, then security, and then the ability to once again control destinies, an ability he lost when he was forced to resign from the Force. We warned him...tried to get him to come with us to Minbar, as you'll recall, but he refused, and went down that other path." "Can't we...well, try and turn him back to our side?" Jennie demanded. "We have to try!" "And how easy do you suspect that will be?" Talion demanded, his gaze knowing. "We all understand you worked for him in Earthforce, Anla'shok Clifford, but he has *been* to the homeworld of the Shadows, no one goes there, and returns unscathed!!" "Until I talk to him myself..." Jennie darkly replied, "I will not believe it." "Getting that close to *them*" Brianna added, her voice sharp, "Is not prudent. Gideon will *not* be alone, I assure you. *They* are always accompanied by at least ONE of their masters, as watchdogs or companions. Leaving ourselves directly open to attack by those who control the enemy forces is not an option I will agree with!" "I agree." Talion added. "However, for now, the Entil'zha has passed on the identities of those agents we know of. They must be watched, and their actions reported on so that we know how to respond to them, in due course. However...they must *not* be intercepted and interrogated...any Ranger who does so risks being killed by the Shadows accompanying their charges... William strode to the center of the room, and locked a piercing gaze on all..but especially on a now-sullen Jennifer. "Talion speaks truly. We *must* obey the orders of the Entil'zha, or risk setting off the war that is coming before we are ready for it. If any Agents are encountered, the Ranger in question, will extract him or herself from the situation with all due speed, learn what can be learnt, and report back. No other actions are to be taken..is this *clear*? * * * "I am surprised to see you here..." Gideon commented, as he and Morden walked together, for a time. Soon enough, Gideon would need to leave...but for now, there was time to talk on matters... Morden smiled. "I am here to take care of...important business, and will not be here long. But I hear that you have decided to involve yourself more in the question of Westcastle and his..companions. A serious prospect, and a challenge...but I know you now, Walther..and you *enjoy* challenge." Gideon nodded. No other response was necessary. * * * Aug 14th, 2259... Jennie and Brianna, together once again, strode through the corridor of DownBelow, 'on patrol' she had called it, explaining to Will why she needed to get out...really, to be alone as was possible. *He* would not allow it, and Brianna would certainly not allow to do what she wanted to do...find Walther, and demand an explanation *why*... 'Don't do anything we won't both regret' Will had said, *damn him*...and now...she walked, to get away. A bitter smile twisted her mouth...their first argument. Sooner or later, she thought, it would have happened, but on this point...it was difficult to accept. Honour demanded her safety...but emotion, equally strong, demanded a response... A deep 'clink' sounded through the corridor, and she nodded wearily. It would be as she had suspected, Gideon and Corrolan were not here just for show....and Brianna, who immediately backed against her, knew the same. "Jennifer...this is *foolish. I sense..something nearby...dangerous, I think. We should go back." She turned one eye, and replied, "Why bother?? I do not doubt that they know we are here...and I suspect that they want an encounter. We will give them that encounter...and if Corrolan were to come, I'm quite sure you'd jump at the chance for a little bit of payback...he's the one who set off your madness, after all!" Brianna nodded coldly. "If *he* appears, then I will allow the confrontation to occur...indeed, you may be right...I will know when and if the moment comes." "Do you honestly believe it will be that easy?" a voice intoned, and the tall, dark alien that went with the voice stepped out of the darkness ahead of them. "There are those who would disagree with you...and it is certainly a mistake for you to go looking in the darkness for them here...you might get *hurt*. And he is not here, in any case...as your searching has already, I suspect, determined. The agents of those you call The Shadows have already left the station...with one, *notable* exception...and Captain Sheridan is certainly having his *fun* with that one at the moment, isn't he?" "What do you know of this?" Jennie snarled, opening her denn'bok in one quick movement, as Brianna stepped forward besides her. "Do you stand with Corrolan? If so, then you should not have met us this day...alone as you are! We could *force* the answer out of you..." The alien inclined one tufted eyebrow sardonically. "That path, is, I'm afraid, not one that's open to you at the moment..and any attempt that you make to extract information from me by force will fail, and result in, unfortunately, your unconsciousness, and my dissapearance...I do not take assualt lightly. Therefore, I give you this chance, and you must make of it what you will...I will give the information freely, but only *once*, and you may make of it what you will. I am...older then I look..." "How much older?" Brianna inquired, her eyes narrow. "You will discover the answer in due course, Miss Tolmanes. The conflict between the Vorlons and the ones you call the Shadows has been of interest to me for some time. And thus, I know things.....and one thing that I *do* know of is the current location of the one you call...Gideon. After departing this place, he has moved to a base on the fourth world of System 774 in Sector...700. Do you not find this knowledge valuable? There is even a jump portal present in that location...as your race knows already...and those you fear are elsewhere, for now...their resources are, as yet, quite limited." "Is he telling the truth?" Jennie demanded. "Difficult to tell..." Brianna murmured, her eyes closed...and then, they snapped open. "Yes. The location, at least, is true...where the information came from is unclear...I dare not press...his mind is too complex." "Why do you tell us this?" Jennie demanded. The alien bowed, and smiled. "I am..what you humans would call a 'double agent'. One side or, the other, needs something, and if the situation is correct, I provide them with that information...for cost, or, as is your case, for free...it all depends on the situation." "And now..." Jennie inquired, "What are we to do with you? And what is your *name*, anyways?" "My name...unimportant, but if you insist...call me...Taaldon.. I will depart this place, and you will not see me again, I assure you...those are my only terms." After a moment, Jennie nodded, followed by Brianna. "Very well, then..." Taaldon replied, and turned on one heel, and vanished into the dark corridor from whence he came. After a few stunningly brief seconds, Brianna moved, and they both ran into the corridor. But of Taaldon, if that was really his name, there was no sign... * * * "I won't believe it..." William commented darkly, when Jennie and Brianna had finished telling their tale, "Until I see this base firsthand...even if we *can* get in there, without Shadows attacking us instantly. This alien...double agent, Taaldon, coming out so *coincidentally*, and telling us what we want to know." "Doesn't matter..." Jennie insisted. "We have to check this out...if it's real, then the Rangers should, at the very least, investigate the matter! Taaldon implied that we would be able to investigate the system without Shadow interference!" "We should contact Minbar..." Dreann suggested, her gaze speculative, "At least to tell them of this...Taaldon. I have never heard of such a being." William nodded. "Agreed." * * * Intolerable!...but all too true. The song of Ulkesh's vessel intruded on the Vorlon's mind with the news. The *others* had recruited the services of a **V'zag**...Ulkesh had *not* believed that any still lived, *especially* given what the more radical conponents of the Many had done to the V'zag homeworld near the end of the last war...now a rather LARGE belt of rock in a forgotten part of the galaxy, far beyond that which any of their Charges had yet explored. Disturbing. Sooner or later the V'zag would come in search of the Many, and ask for what had been given in the past...and what choice was there, in this case?? Most disturbing. Ulkesh made his decision... * * * "You've *got* to be kidding." "I'm *not*!! That's what the message says!!" "Well...I'll be damned...can't hurt, I guess." * * * Aug 20th, 2259...Sector 700...Shadow Agent base... "They have arrived..." Vendant commented, as Corrolan and several others approached, alerted by the jump-in signal. "Not quite so quickly as we would have liked...but they are here at last. That..Taaldon...thing did its job...as have I, Corrolan...as promised." "You have done well..." Corrolan commented, and turned to Gideon. "Walther..." Gideon bowed. "How may I serve?" "The cursed Rangers have arrived in-system, foolish little people that they are, and *so* trusting. Let's check things out, they might say!...and have, by the look of it. Fools." As one, Corrolan and Gideon moved to the holographic system display grid provided by their associates, and Corrolan cast one finger across the symbol representing the Ranger vessel. "To see a trap, openly, and still come to investigate the matter...in your name. Well, well!...I'm afraid they're going to be a little...dissapointed.." Corrolan laughed. Beside him, Gideon scowled, and looked at the image. Deep inside him, a hollowness remained, one that even his companion could not remove...of memories, sharp as thorns...and wrong. Would this action remove those memories? Gideon hoped so... "Call them in...let us finish this." * * * Rather abruptly, the system jump gate came online behind them, and seven fighters, class and race unknown, but black as night, rushed out of the vortex... "Signal coming in from the planet." Dreann reported. "Put it on." William ordered...and even then, jumped a little, as Walther Gideon's image, so familiar, and now, so alien, appeared on the screen. "Walther." "William. Your arrival here is worse then futile. I give you either one of two choices, given that you were...foolhardy enough to come here with only *one* ship...is that all that your glorious Entil'zha would give you?? Unfortunate...but not surprising. You cannot hope to stand against the forces that have trapped you here...you should not have even tried." "And this...Taaldon...works for the Shadows?" "No." Gideon shook his head. "Taaldon, as it stands, does speak the truth...but the truth is a little twisted sometimes. Enough!!..you waste my time, and those I work for. Either descend to the planet and surrender to us...or be destroyed." William laughed. "Never." "Do you really wish to die that much?" Gideon demanded, his face grim. "If that is the way it must be, then so be it...but I do *not* agree with your choices." "That may be so.." And at that, William met all their eyes, most resolute, and Jennie's rueful and final gaze, "But the matter stands as it does. We are Rangers...we live for the One...we die for the One." Gideon shook his head wearily. "Westcastle, you are a fool. Then die you shall." ***************************************************************************** Next: The conclusion of "Revelation's Shore"...Taaldon returns, one last time, Corrolan *finally* gets what's been coming to him, and Gideon and Vendant are compelled to make for the part of Hyperspace that overlays the section of realspace called...Sector 14. You guessed it!...coming tomorrow... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 10c Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 10:51:18 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 10 "REVELATION'S SHORE" PHASE III OF III **"The involvement of the First Ones in the War is little understood, and what we do know has been passed on in rumour and guesses. It is *is* known that during the final phase of the War, Captain Sheridan and his immediate crew were seen in the company of a mysterious, seemingly all-knowing alien, apparently known as 'Lorien'...and that Lorien played an important part in how the War was ended, and victory arrived at. Further evidence of First One involvement in the War is difficult to come by, although evidence suggests that on several occasions, help was provided when it was most needed, as in the case of..."** From "Holding the Line..." * * * August 15th, 2259...the edge of Minbar System...Hyperspace. Without sound, the dark violet and yellow transport that belonged to Ulkesh rushed through the shimmering maroon darkness and light of hyperspace. Within, the shimmering orange curtain of light that was the Vorlon wrapped itself in thought...part brooding...but all decisive. Ulkesh did not enjoy being pressed into a decision in this manner, but in this case, there was no choice in the matter. Several days before, he had sent a message that no other present could hear or understand...a messge meant for only *one* being...a being Ulkesh believed to be now alone in the universe...a being he would have otherwise elliminated, in accordance with the laws laid down long ago by the Many. But that was no longer an option. The V'zag that called itself 'Taaldon' (and *that* was *far* from the correct translation, but as acceptable as any other) was coming, but a bargain would be needed...and Ulkesh expected the bargain to be followed... Or else 'Taaldon' would quietly...and efficently...**die**. Rather abruptly, a vessel shaped like an eight-pointed blue star shimmered into view, and came abruptly to rest less then a full shiplength ahead of Ulkesh's vessel. The song darkened...even the ship recognized *that* other...but Ulkesh bid it be silent, and the song quieted. Soon enough, a spinning ultramarine glow appeared in front of him... *You should not have returned* *I felt myself...summoned, you might say...* the dry response came. *One last time, before my departure beyond the Rim, to join the others. I will play my part in what is to come, and have started with the other side, as is required. You will see that I am right...in time. For you, yourself, Vorlon, cannot act as needed...and know it. I can...and will.* *The law stands. We should not even be dealing with you. But there is no other choice. Those you have interfered with are in danger...this is intolerable...and must be corrected. We demand this of you, before your departure. And you #will# depart...or we will hunt you down, and you will join the rest* The bluet glow steadied...harshly. *You threaten us, Vorlon... we expected this! But we are nearly done with this place...and thus, your terms are acceptable. I have seen what is to come, and will not stay to face it. However...if you continue, I fear that you will awake the Oldest...and I would #not# want to be you, Ulkesh, when and if that happens* *The Oldest will not interfere in our affairs* Ulkesh coldly replied. *It has been long...and the Oldest sleeps. The problems of the Young are not its concern* *That remains to be seen. We take our life from you, Vorlon, in exchange for the past, right or wrong.* The V'zag vanished from sight, and the living blue carrier, last of its kind, turned in mid-spin...and vanished. Shortly thereafter, the Vorlon transport made its own turn, and made for Minbar. It was done... * * * August 16th, 2259...Babylon 5... Eyes wide, Talion joined the rest, having received a message that he found hard to believe...a message from *Ulkesh* himself..."Everyone had better sit down. The Vorlon ORDERED me to pass this on to you, William, in understanding that for this, he supports this investigation...but not without assistance. We all understand that Corrolan and Gideon are waiting for us in Sector 700...but it is equally likely that a trap waits for us, also... However...assistance will be provided...in the persona of this mysterious being called Taaldon...he who told us of this place. We have been given permission to investigate...and assurances of our safety made." "You've *got* to be kidding." William mused, his expression cleanly telling how much he trusted this information. "I'm *not*!! That's what the message says!!" Talion insisted. "Would Ulkesh lie to us?" "No..." Brianna replied, her eyes dark. "He would not...and he is nominally required to support the Rangers in any case." "Well...I'll be damned...can't hurt, I guess...if it's true." "Taaldon said..." Jennie mused, "That he had been observing, with interest, mind you...the stand of the Vorlons against the Shadows for 'some' time now. What if...." "A First One?" Tashann cut in, eyes disbelieving. "In Valen's Name...that is doubtful!...and I still do not believe we should do this thing. However...Val'na..." the Minbari inclined his head briefly at William, "The final decision is, as always, yours." * * * Aug 20th, 2259...Sector 700... "That may be so.." And at that, William met all their eyes, most resolute, and Jennie's rueful and final gaze, "But the matter stands as it does. We are Rangers...we live for the One...we die for the One." Now...the die had been cast, and they would all soon see if Ulkesh's assurances held any value, or not... Gideon shook his head wearily. "Westcastle, you are a fool. Then die you shall." The signal roughly cut. "Enemy Fighters approaching on attack vector." Talion reported tersely from the rear station. "Estimate ninety seconds to firing range." "Are they Shadow?" Jennie asked, her eyes narrow. "No...but we *know* that the Enemy possesses many allies, and most are not well known. These are such, I suspect." "How close do we let them get?" Brianna asked. "That's more then close enough..." William determined, his gaze sharp. "Send the signal." A finger came down on a button, and without pause, a signal passed from the mid-sized Ranger craft, off the local jumpgate, and into hyperspace. And short seconds later, as if it had been waiting for just that chance, space shimmered behind the black as night fighters of the Shadow allies, and coalesced into a half mile wide blue starfish...and the watching Rangers felt their mouths drop open... "It is true, then..." Tashann whispered knowingly, as a deep ruby ray struck out from the starfish craft, and began to cut the fighters to bits. "Taaldon *is* a First One." "Precisely. Now...let's do the job we're to do, and get the Hell out of here..!" Brianna turned to agree...and then, the universe darkened around her... * * * Below... Corrolan roughly turned on a now unsure Vendant, as all around, their angry companions shimmered into view, thoughts dark...and angry. "Vendant...you were supposed to *ensure* that something like this didn't happen...EXPLAIN." "The V'zag...it has betrayed us!" Corrolan nodded at that comment. "Liars...the oppurtunity presented itself, and we took it...I will not make the same mistake again. As for you, Vendant...I fear...that our friends are about to make that point stick with you..." A long barbed talon reached out with blinding speed, and what had been the man called Vendant only seconds before fell to the deck. Blood began to pool on the metal beneath. Behind, Gideon watched on with detached horror. Far inside, someone was screaming...but he was not. Corrolan turned to him, expression dark. "You understand?" "Yes. Dissapointing. Tell me..was this, in some small part, a test for him?" "Indeed. Vendant was, in his time, correct for our use, but with your arrival and ascendance, it was only a matter of time until he made a large enough mistake to annoy our associates into the inevitable." Gideon nodded ruefully. "Then it was never really about my former accomplices at all?" Corrolan shrugged. "There was a possibility...but *now*, as we all know..." And then, Gideon jumped...for whatever Corrolan had been about to say was quite unfinished...as the ceiling overhead rippled, and a harsh violet beam stabbed down, and encased the hapless Shadow agent. In an instant, before any, Shadow or human, could act, Corrolan vanished from sight... And in unison, the four Shadows screamed, and turned their burning gaze upon Gideon. {{You are now alone. You are ours. We act...now}} The breath caught in Gideon's lungs. Disagreement was impossible... * * * Above... "No!!" Dreann and Tashann exclaimed, as one, as a near desperate Jennie reached out to touch the apparently unconscious Brianna, now encased in a web of crackling light. "Do not touch it!...death waits for any who try." "What *is* this?" William demanded, as Talion watched on. "That is for the First One to know, and for us to observe." Dreann added, somewhat harshly. "Do not interfere!" * * * [No time, no place] Brianna turned in the light and the darkness...simultaneously, it seemed...and Taaldon was there. "You..." she breathed, and then, her surroundings sank in. "What is this place? And what of your earlier comment, that we would not see you again? Assistance I can understand, but this..." "Miss Tolmanes, you miss the point. I assured your *companion* that she would not see me again, and it was true. Your destiny dances to a different song. Observe..." Taaldon waved one hand, and the nemesis of her life, past and present, appeared, as if a vision...a vision desperate to escape. The one who had once been Michael Corrolan struggled in a box of air, his gaze frightened, evil...desperate. "You see before you the demon of your existence. The agreement required this to occur...and so it has been made to pass." The hate surged within her...and then, receded, against Ulkesh's distant song...of course. Not hate...that was *their* way. "And I am to be...?" "Judge...jury and executioner, if you wish." Taaldon replied calmly. "I am merely the messenger." The First One waved a hand, and Corrolan fell to the 'floor' of the domain, and looked up at them, gaze scathing. "He is yours, do as you will." Corrolan laughed...a nasty sound. "You fail to impress, First One...fool that you are. My associates will reach out their hand, and destroy you where you stand. And as for you, Miss Tolmanes...you surprise me. Last time we met, I brought upon you the darkness of your soul, and only the intervention of Westcastle saved you. As for now, I doubt that you have the *guts* to do what you want to..and next time we meet, I will ensure that you are not given this chance again. The darkness will see you live in Hell forever, woman!" "Shut your mouth, worm!" she harshly cut in, advancing on him. "Is that what you believe? You will now learn otherwise. I've changed... Michael...I am not the woman I was. I have been through your Hell, and out the other side. I have seen damnation...and been released from it. I am a Ranger...and now...Michael, you will see what Hell is...what you put me through...and what I endured." In one great stride, she closed the distance between, and reached out her hand. And only in the final second, did she see the belief in his eyes...and then, her hand met his face... And Michael Corrolan screamed...for a very, very long time. And then stopped... Brianna turned to Taaldon, stood over the body, and knew. It was over...at last...as Ulkesh had *promised*, so long ago...and only NOW just realized. My God...I never knew... "What will you do with him?" she asked. "When he awakes...he will be mad...uncontrollably mad." Taaldon nodded. "He will find himself in a place alien to him...to any of your kind. He will be as a wanderer in the wilderness, and he shall have no shelter...and his...associates...will never find him. This is acceptable to you?" "Yes..." she whispered, nodding. "*Oh* yes." "Then we are done with this place." Taaldon turned, and gazed upwards...and Brianna followed the gaze. The medium above was darkening. "I must go...and you must do the same. They are coming for the Lost One...in strength..and they are *angry*. I cannot protect you from that wrath." "I understand. Will I see you again?" Taaldon inclined one eyebrow, and smiled. * * * Brianna blinked...and opened her eyes, to see the rest huddled around her. "Why are you...all standing over me?" she murmured. "You were...surrounded by an energy field!" Jennie exclaimed. "What happened to you...was it Taaldon that did this?" She nodded wearily. "Taaldon...gave me Corrolan...to judge...and I *did*" she responded...not triumphantly...but sadly...so sad...so *final*... "I don't believe it! You mean..." "Don't say it, Jennifer, it's not like you think. Corrolan will no longer concern us, and that is all you need to know. For now, I suggest, quite strongly...that we depart. Is Taaldon's ship..." "Gone." Dreann explained. "It vanished not long before you awoke." "Then we *MUST* leave. The Shadows have summoned their fleet to come and reclaim Gideon. And when that happens...we must *not* be here!" "Fair advice." William determined, his gaze stern. "We have survived this...and easily determined the nature of this trap. There is nothing of value in this place...nothing to learn...and strangely enough, a victory has been arrived at. Let us make of it what we will." * * * One Hour later... Low over the surface of the barren fourth world of a system with no name, only a number, a great dark shimmering resolved, with intent, into the now all too familiar shape, to Walther, of one of his associate's warships. He knew, without asking, that others searched above...to no avail. Both the Rangers...and Taaldon...were gone. A dark blob detached from the surface of the vessel, and with a small scream, dropped towards him. {Prepare yourself} they warned. {There will be a time of nothingness, before the next task} "I am so prepared." he replied, as the dark, scaly blob filled his vision. "Take me where you will..." Alone. I am alone. Like Morden. I passed the *final* test. Now I am FREE to act on my own. "I will assume, friends, that this is not the end." {No. Never. Only the Beginning.} "Then let us play the next move." he whispered, as the landing craft filled his world, and sent him into oblivion... * * * Epsilon Three...the Great Machine...Aug 23, 2259... "They must not know..." Draal told himself, shaking his head. "But that does not mean, Zathras, that we cannot do anything about this!" "Zathras knows this, yes he does!" the other insisted, his gaze steady. "Knows what must be done." "We can use this place to hide your departure, Zathras. But you must hurry...those you helped before will require your assistance yet again if we are to succeed in this. The Enemy is already moving to take advantage of the situation...and we must use the resources we have...and so, Zathras...*go*...with all speed!" And shortly thereafter, Draal found himself alone with his thoughts once more. A *great* concern...but it was *bound* to happen eventually. The rift in Sector 14 was difficult enough to control in any case, and what the Great Machine told Draal about hyperspace was enough to make him uneasy by itself...but *now*...a resonance had occurred...a dangerous resonance... Hyperspace, it was said, mapped itself to the real universe with fair efficiency...fair enough for the races of the galaxy to use. But that was not it at all, as Draal now knew. Hyperspace was *far* more complex then that... * * * ***************************************************************************** Next: In any time, Walther Gideon is now a dangerous man, as any who serves the Shadows is dangerous. And now, the Shadows have found yet another oppurtunity to change history for their betterment, and Gideon will do as he is ordered. In his path stands the only force that can stop him...the force called(you guessed it) the Rimstalker! "Epsilon Squared" the eleventh part of "Destiny's Call", coming soon.... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 11a Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 12:03:58 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 11 "EPSILON SQUARED" PHASE I OF II **" The vision we saw as a result of chasing Walther was of something I will never forget...a time in the history of the Earth Alliance when I was busy taking care of my Dad...slowly dying as a result of the attack by Alias Randar at the Widowmaker asteroids only 9 years before...a teenager almost sure of her future, but knowing nothing of both the horrors and the exultation coming in the years to come. If you had placed that carefree, in comparison, 17 year old redhead next to the 28 year old Ranger I became, there would be almost no resemblance between the two, in thinking or appearance...we all aged a great deal in those few years...war does that to you. And I was *so* tempted to try and find the girl I had been, and warn her...but that was out of the question, of course. We were already busy trying to find a man we once knew...a man now gone solo under the guidance of dark forces out to destroy us and everything we were. And if they succeeded, then everything we were would cease to exist. Needless to say, we couldn't let that happen..."** From: "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities" * * * Aug 26th, 2259... The Shadow vessel hung at rest in hyperspace, far enough off of the jump beacon leading the way to Babylon 5 that it wasn't visible at all...and at the same time, farther down the gravitational gradient then many of the younger races thought it safe to go. The mind of that ship paid no heed to the danger...the Machine could do all things. Rather abruptly, a tiny, arrow-shaped vessel detached from the belly of the Shadow vessel, and the immense black ship immediately wheeled in hyperspace, and rushed away, it's task complete... * * * {Awake} "I'm...listening." Walther shook himself, and then turned to face the now familiar silouettes of his two companions...the original, and the one who had once watched the now-dead Vendant. The other two, those who had worked with Corrolan, had returned to Z'ha'dum to report on the plan now unfolding. Walther focussed his eyes on the discontinuity less then a mile in front of them...a *rift* in hyperspace...and those he worked with knew *exactly* where it lead. Slightly *more*, by Gideon's measure, then 10 years backwards in time, as a small probe of the medium had determined...and no one, it appeared, knew of this. They would have to hurry...the Shadows knew of that other, more visible rift in Sector 14, the part of realspace that coincided with this part of hyperspace...and plans relative to that rift had been underway for some time...even though the rift was well guarded by he who resided in the Great Machine on Epsilon 3. The situation was simple....straightforward...and to the point. Once again, Westcastle's thrice-damned cadre had thwarted the best-laid plans...this time, with the assistance of a long-missing First One. The Shadows had made their decision...*once* more they would attempt to destroy those who stood against them...and the manner of the destruction would be quite unusual. Gideon smiled...and remembered... In the period directly following the Earth-Minbari War, two design consortiums had competed with one another for the lucrative Earthforce rearmament contract that eventually resulted in the Omega Class Destroyer project...many dozens of which now patrolled Earth's borders. But there had been *another* ship design in the running at the same time...almost as good... but not quite...the Verdant Class desroyer. The two designs had gone against one another, and the Omega Class had won...and from that preliminary contest between the destroyers OMEGA and VERDANT had come the first ship off the line...John Sheridan's AGAMEMNON. Gideon smiled, and thought on. With the help of his associates, a uniform, and a few small implements of destruction, he could *ensure* that the Verdant Class became the vessel of choice in the Alliance...the AGAMEMNON and all her sister ships would never be built...and Sheridan, more then likely, even if he did take command of one of the Verdant class ships that would then be built, would not be in place to save Westcastle from the wreck of the Nova Class Dreadnought ATLANTA. Fiendishly simple...and incredibly difficult at the same time. For there was no saying how *long* this rift would last...the flux coming from the opening was considerable, to say the least. But in the end, Gideon and those who went with him were expendable...for if they changed the timeline, the younger versions would go on into the new reality...and in the end, Westcastle would be dead...and all he done would be erased from the face of the universe... * * * Enroute to Babylon 5...Between transfer gates... Nightshift on a vessel of the Rangers was straight forward, and to the point, especially after a mission as (strangely) successful as their last had been. Talion sat in the pilot's seat, a small smile touching his face...and thought on matters. Aftwards, Brianna slept the sleep of exhaustion, while the others could relax...at least for a little while. One of their great nemeses, Corrolan, had been elliminated from contention...the other side had lost a great resource in that encounter. And now...now, they were returning to Babylon 5, that place, aside from Minbar, where they found their destinies, that existed more or less as their home... There was a deep orange flash behind him, and a snort...and Talion whirled, his senses tuned, of a sudden, to battle...and then, confusion. Behind him, in the passage leading to the rest of the ship, stood a stout, middle-aged Minbari...who looked about him, sighed, and shook his head. "Who are...how are..." "Hmmph. Not impressive, not yet...but it will do." The Minbari fixed Talion with a pointed gaze. "You I know, boy...you stand with greatness, but you yet have far to go. I...am DRAAL...and as for how I came to be here, well, I do NOT enjoy repeating myself, so run along and wake up your illustrious commander and all his friends, close or otherwise. We have a great deal to talk about...yes, a great deal *indeed*." * * * William shook his head, and yawned. No rest for the weary. "Alright...let me is I can get this *straight*. You're controlling a gigantic machine on the planet below Babylon 5...a machine that almost *nobody* knows about. You see all, you hear all...and now, you come to us because...damn it all...time travel? I didn't think that was even possible!" "These are not ordinary times, as I'm *sure* you know." Draal proclaimed. "And those you struggle against are *not* very happy with you at the moment. The greatest temptation, when given the chance, will be for those who advocate chaos to make things *worse* then they are. The Enemy seeks to remove you from contention. And how do you suppose they could do that? What would be the *easiest* way?" Eyes narrow, Will sat down, and thought about it. In they year just past, the Shadows had directly threatened his life many times, either through direct contact or through the movements of those who served them. And yet, the danger had been greatest in... The Beginning. In VALEN's name...he looked, dismay now clear on his face. "The ATLANTA." Draal nodded, his face stern. "Precisely. That vessel that rescued you, under the command of *he* who even now is beginning to learn the true nature of the conflict he faces, is *pivotal* to all that is happening, in ways even I do not see. The ship called AGAMEMNON must *not* be disturbed, her place in events is FAR too important. And thus, you must do what you would consider impossible...you must travel back, back to a time when your world strived to recover from a war, a terrible dark time in the histories of our peoples, that nearly destroyed us all. You must find that man who you once called superior, associate, and comrade...find him, and stop him from what his masters call him forth to accomplish." At this, Jennie's eyes went wide, and she cursed. "Walther?" Draal nodded towards her. "Precisely. The one called Gideon has travelled back in time, to a place he does not belong in. He must be stopped...and you, above all, know him for what he is." "Agreed." William mused. "But HOW do we find him, amongst billions of humans?" Draal smiled grimly. "You will have assistance, from he who has helped you before, and will help you again. Observe." Ahead of the Ranger vessel, the transfer gate they had been interupted from entering came online, and with the familiar dimensional flash, spat out a spacecraft of familiar, if now slightly antiquated vintage...a commercial vessel style used, at the latest, during the period following the Earth-Minbari War. Now, however, a coruscating field surrounded it...something *decidedly* non-Earthly in nature... All too soon, the vessel docked with them....and the hatch rolled open...to reveal the outline of a slightly shambling, but to two of those present, all too familiar figure... "Zathras!!" Jennie exclaimed, and rushed forward, a smile on her face. "It's...good to see you again." "Ah...tck, tck. Zathras appreciate such warmth, rare in Zathra's line of work." Zathras gazed round, lips pursed, and finally let his gaze come to rest on William. "Far you have come, far still you have to go. Zathras help, as Zathras always do. Now, great problem, not easy solution... Draal tell you, now we must act...or very bad. Zathras here to *help*...bring ship, we go." "But not *all* of you.." Draal cautioned, turning his gaze to the calm, if interested pair of Dreann and Tashann. "They would stand out in the place and time you go to, and this cannot be allowed...if seen, they would surely die." "We understand." Tashann put in, his gaze firm. "The time you go to is a dark time in our history...a time of misunderstanding, hate and death. We will wait for your return...with patience and trust, in that you will succeed, find Gideon, stop him, and return." "Then lets get started." Brianna, who had awoken latest, commented. "We lead ourselves into this problem by letting Gideon escape, and in thinking it was over. Now we must find him, and finish this." William and Jennie curtly nodded, and turned to Zathras and Draal. "What do we need to do, and where do we need to go?" "Very close to Babylon 5, but in a dangerous part of hyperspace, there is a rift...short-lived, but usable, as the Enemy has shown. I will strive to stablilize this rift for as long as is feasible...and you will do what needs to be done." Draal turned his gaze on the expectant Zathras. "Friend...finish this tale." "We go back, yes...but great danger, with no *stabilization*." Zathras reached into the case he had brought with him, and withdrew a circular item. "Stabilizer we all wear, be safe, or great danger, age and death come. Also...*tracker* to find Enemy in place of danger, stop Enemy before deed is done...man called Gid-eon can be found by tracking Enemy stabilizer." "We go, then...there is no time to lose." William turned to Tashann. "You will warn the Entil'zha of this, if he does not know already?" William's speculative gaze rested on Draal during that sentence. The Minbari shook his head wearily. "Too far. There has been *no* time...I am stretched nearly beyond my limit attempting this, as it is." Tashann nodded. "Then the warning will be given, Val'na. Entil'zha veni!..." "In Valen's Name, we go." the four human Rangers concluded the age-old vow, with a bit of a twist.. * * * June 7th, 2249...Earthspace.. Three weeks it had taken to get this far in...and no interference...no visible pursuit. Gideon sat back in the seat of the, for now, quite new transport that was even now taking him from Jupiter towards Earth. Nearby, and quite invisible, his associates waited...the technology necessary to do what needed to be done near at hand. Gideon smiled. It was only a matter of time...and using the necessary stealth abilities his associates possessed, before success was arrived at...another two weeks, without interference, would see history forever changed... * * * Euphrates Sector...June 8th, 2249... With a small shudder, the lonely transfer gate irised open, and the ship commanded by five beings, four human and one unusual, out of time and space, snapped into being... "Zathras does not understand reasoning for this visit, just to look. No time." "Let us take a pause, friend." William commented. He turned back to the vessel controls with a sigh, and briefly touched the time stabilizer that kept him safe. A dark, stormy ride it had been backwards in time...if anything, the rift at this end was far less stable then the other...and how long would it last?? No one, even Draal, had been able to say. But...they had made it...and now, utilizing the technology that Zathras had brought from Epsilon 3, they would, once again, travel inwards...to a time when he had just joined the force, and Jennie only considering. Working at speed, Talion had provided for them false identities(one of his more *useful* talents) and during this time period, with things so unsettled in Earthspace, doing what needed to be done would be a *little* easier... Not much...but a little. And now, they hung at rest, one jump from a gate that for now stood alone in the wilderness, apart from the shining jewel that would not be fully finished for another eight years to come. A jewel that, in the timeline Walther and his dark allies sought to create, would likely still be built...but who knew the changes a disruption of this magnitude could make? But he, Jennie and Brianna, at least, were now fighting for their very existence. They *had* to stop Gideon... There was simply no other option... * * * Present Time...early September, 2259... "They have not, as yet, returned through the rift, Entil'zha.." Tashann's voice spoke out of the terminal. "We grow increasingly concerned." Sinclair sat back from the comm terminal, his heart heavy. Those who advised him had explained the necessity of doing this thing, and keeping the secret, but speed, at the time, had been more important then permission, as Ulkesh had explained. Of all those in the Rangers current in this time, only *he* and the two who worked with William knew of this...no others could be trusted with the information...not even Catherine or Marcus. Sinclair closed his eyes, and sighed. *Again* it had come down to William and Jennifer to stop this threat...and if they failed, the timeline would change so abruptly that no one present would remember they even existed. That this had not happened *yet* still gave him hope, however... "I understand, Tashann. Keep the watch as long as you can...we will give them all the time that is necessary to return." * * * June 15th, 2249...Earthspace... "I'll be damned...this thing works, after all." "You expected any different?" "Tck, tck. Nobody *ever* trust Zathras. Very sad...we tell you truth, instrument does job as required. Now, *go*, find Gid-eon, stop what must be stopped." "Right...*now*, you stay hidden. For damn sure, the security types are not going to take your presence lightly." "Worry not about Zathras. Zathras, for now, care more about hiding then Zathras usually do. Zathras will be safe." "Brianna...you know what you have to do?" "It will not be easy, William...but Ulkesh has prepared me for what I need to do." "Interfering with Gideon's companions will be dangerous." "If they succeed in their task, danger will not even begin to describe the situation. We will *all*, I think, be erased from history. Which option do you prefer? The danger of facing Gideon's Shadow companions, or nullification of our existence? Take your pick." "Talion?" "I will stay with Zathras. Go and do what needs to be done...and return safely." * * * Earth...June 16th, 2249...night... All went as planned, and in slightly more then a hour's time, Walther, once again in the uniform that was *his* (one last time) would carry the tiny, but potent instruments of destruction up into the bowels of the prototype of all those Omega Class Destroyers yet to come...unseen, until it was *too* late. Walk decisive, he moved towards the shuttle terminal...yes, he was expendable, but he had come to accept that fate...for then, no AGAMEMNON would there be, and no one to save... And then...Gideon felt himself grabbed from behind, and in the distance, heard his companions scream... "Walther..." the, to him, demon-infested voice of William Westcastle murmured, "We need to talk." Damnitall...no!! How could this be?? In the distance, the voices of his companions raged against a holding *force* of some sort...while Walther found himself surrounded by two all too familiar figures, Westcastle, and, of course, Westcastle's thrice-damned lady love, Clifford... And then, a fist into his gut. Without help, he doubled over, and could not stop the hands that searched his body, and withdrew the all-TOO necessary weapons.... "Zathras was correct. They are the type he told us about. They can be deactivated...thusly." There was a long ...and then the bombs were dropped to the street...and Walther watched, eyes dull, as they shattered into black fragments... "You don't know..." he croaked, "What you've begun here. They will never let you rest...you will die, in a far off corner of existence, screaming for salvation...and none will you find." The face of Jennifer Clifford swam into view, stern and unrepentent. "And to think that I almost called you 'friend'...what a mistake *that* would have been. Adieu...Walther...I'd like to kill you, but I think your *friends* will keep you sufficiently tormented for now...and that, in my opinion, is a far more deserving fate for you then death." And then... * * * Brianna doubled over, her head a nightmare of pain. A distant chittering told her what had happened...*they* had gotten away...she hadn't been strong enough!! Have to warn them... She ran down the street. Her pain was as nothing to what would happen if she failed...had to get a line of sight on those she cared for... * * * Brianna's voice screamed in Jennie's head, and she moved...as two barely seen dark shadows shimmered past William, and around the kneeling Gideon. A brilliant spark exploded out of William's time stabilizer..and her love had just enough time to look up, his eyes wide and full of shock, before he shimmered from sight...and the Shadows, full of purpose and anger...surrounded Gideon...and did the same. Not even enough time...to respond. Oh GOD...William!!!...she turned, tears just beginning to come, in time to support a barely upright Brianna. "I tried...to warn you...to stop...." "I know...come on..." William!!...Jennie lowered her head, and tried not to scream. * * * Two dark figures, full of pain and sorrow, on a dark street. The Watcher observed with interest. What would come next? * * * {Failure. Unacceptable. But time is running out. We return NOW, or not at all} Gideon nodded, gaze level...but a little triumphant, none the less. He hadn't been able to destroy William's past...but who said anything about the *future*? * * * "Can you find him?" "Difficult to say. Many variables...many problems. But Zathras will try. For now, must leave this place...too much interference. Find quiet place...return to place you know...place you call...Epsilon Three. Need help there. Help of Zathras...*all* Zathras." ***************************************************************************** To be continued... ***************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 11b Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 18:09:49 -0700 (MST) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 11 "EPSILON SQUARED" PHASE II OF II ** "Yet another thing that John Sheridan and I share...we were both saved by one of the nine Zathras brothers, as well. We were given visions of that which was to come...something that neither of us wanted. It was said by someone important to us all that humans build communities...that is so very true...but there are those that envy that power in us, and forever attempt to destroy it. And so, what I saw has yet to come to pass...but I wait for it, and wonder...for I am slowly becoming the image of the man I saw. That is not all, of course. The first of the Warlock Class Destroyers is currently out on its shakedown cruise...and I *remember* seeing a class of ship I knew not alongside the Omega Class vessels orbiting Earth...and I shiver...for the Warlock Class exists in the image of that memory. And so, I fear for the future...Earth's, and my own..." ** - From the Chronicles Log of William Westcastle, Jan 2262 * * * Early October, 2259... Things had *not* gone *all* well, this Draal knew well enough. Over a month had gone by since Westcastle and his team had travelled back in time to find and defeat the agent of the Shadows sent back to do ill...and then, quite recently, the mission that Sinclair had lead to the main rift in Sector 14 had resulted in the loss of his love, Catherine Sakai...lost in time and space. The main rift had been rendered unusuable, for the present, and the already decaying rift in hyperspace, while it still existed, and would for at least a while more, had been rendered unusuable as well. He had *seen*, however, the return of Gideon and his companions through the rift, before that had happened. It would be more then another month, however, until both rifts settled down into usuable form again...the hyperspace rift would, Draal hoped, last that long. The whole situation had grown unnecessarily complex. Draal explored the records once more, and wished wholeheartedly that this whole business with Babylon 4 had never occurred. But there was, of *course*, nothing that could be done about *that*...the circle would, in due course, be closed. For now, of course, the Minbari that waited for Westcastle, Dreann and Tashann, thought dark thoughts. Perhaps they believed that their comrades and fellow Rangers would not return... Draal knew better. Both from the records that the Great Machine showed him, and by talking to Zathras...whichever one of them happened to be nearby at the time. The oldest was, of course, the most important, and in the times to come...but the rest had tasks of their own, as well...and once in a while, they joined up to help each other. Draal sighed. During this whole period, it had been difficult enough to shield what they were doing from that place that was so important...a nexus in the battle that was coming...the human-built station, so close above. But the time was coming, soon enough, when that concealment would end... * * * [Unknown Time] Rather abruptly, William came to...and looked around. Next to him, Jennie slept, a relaxed smile on her face...and then, the situation as is came to him...this was... Wrong. Jennie's hair was *red* again...and so LONG... And where they were...a soft violet light, great curved pillars of gray set against a lighted background. Faint chiming sounds echoed through the chamber... He got out of bed...and walked...slowly...over to the mirror that stood nearby...and could not restrain his shock. A long streak of silver stood in his black hair...this was...so wrong! A viewport...eyes wide, mind full of wonder...he looked out, both up to the stars, and down to the planet below; Earth. Against the darkness, ships orbitted...some he recognized...but one...one was *wrong*...different. And then, it happened...the memory hit. Lost...lost in time... Pain. He doubled over, and could not stop the cry that escaped from his mouth. He looked over, to see Jennie's eyes meet his...and for the first time, understood. Time had passed..he had jumped *forward* somehow..how much sorrow, to make of them what they had become? "William...what's wrong?" "I..." he laid one hand against the wall. "Out of...time..." Jennie laid one hand against her mouth, amazement and also, what was quite obviously *recognition* in her eyes, of the situation, of what was happening..."Oh. It's...in Valen's Name, I forgot!...completely about..." and then, she was holding him, as he tried to hold the pain at bay. "I wish...I wish I could tell you...the pain...the suffering, the darkness, the fire we've been through, but I dare not. Delenn warned me...warned me of this, warned of the dangers. The President...faced a similar situation to yours, when Entil'zha Sinclair.." William watched her quite *visibly* stop in mid sentence...again. "Can't you at least...tell me what year it is?" He watched tears appear in her eyes. "I can't do that, Will...I can't even let you leave, until it's over; until you go back. I don't want to take the chance that you'll learn anything about what's *next* for us...we can't *change* anything...no matter HOW much I want to, I just *can't*!" "Tell me one thing, it's *all* I ask...did we win? The Shadows..are they GONE?" Jennie paused, emotion deep on her face...and nodded...and then, shook her head. "Yes *and* no? Damnit, Jen, that's *not* fair!" "I *know*! *Please*, love, stop asking questions I can't answer!! You're making this harder then it has to be...oh.." Again it happened; the pain was stronger this time..more insistent, harsher. Whatever had brought him to this place was failing; sooner or later, he would... The world dissolved into white... * * * In orbit around Epsilon Three...June 25th, 2249... "Go down, must." Zathras proclaimed. "But *you* must talk to Zathras. Too much resonance with Great Machine bad for Zathras in this time, must stay safe. Zathras *needed*; Tell Varn..Varn send for Zathras, and Zathras help you." "How reassuring..." Talion dryly replied. "We don't have another choice at the moment." Brianna reminded him coldly. "For the time being, we're *trapped* in the past. Something happened to the rift in hyperspace..." "It's closing...that's the problem." Jennie dully added. "Look. Zathras explained to us that techology exists down there to manipulate rifts such as this one. William is missing because of what the Shadows did...and now, we *need* help, both to rescue *him*, and to get *home* again..." "Will send recognition signal." Zathras added, his gaze penetrating, as he looked down on William's damaged time stabilizer again. "Go down you must...so all can be where needed." "We can't stay here...we don't belong." Talion nodded. "Then let's do something about that." * * * "I...have seen much..." Varn proclaimed tiredly, as the three stood before him, "And soon enough, my time in this place will end. But before then, I can understand what this means..enough to aid you. I have *sensed* the discontinuity in Secondspace, and understand that you do not belong here. Several of the Zathras brothers are present to aid, explain the situation, and they will help you." "So *that's* what they meant!" Talion exclaimed. "Typical." * * * Talion and the rest looked up...and then down. "Oh boy...this is one *big* drop." "Can you help us??" "Difficult. But Zathras will help. Zathras from *future* cannot help *here*, dangerous. But explain to Varn what is needed, Varn focus on rift, you return." The oh-so familiar(and, it seemed, practically identical) Zathri in front of them looked down into the vast tube, and then up towards the surface. "Will give you...device!...so Lost One can be saved...drawn back. Zathras with you will understand. But first, must enter rift to save." * * * Interlude.. "There. You see? Have found...stabilization point, yes? Later then arrival point, but critical. We use?" "Yes. Zathras return to home time, must. Must remember not to tell Zathras of this. Paradox...tck, tck, very bad." * * * [No time, no place] "Where?..." Jennie sank to the floor in relief, as across from her, Brianna and Talion showed the same. Zathras, with the help of the Great Machine and the equipment sent up with them by his brothers, had done exactly what he had promised he would do...and that was enough for her. William was back with *her* again...and never, *ever* would she let him go... Never again. And they had done what they had to do. The Shadows had been defeated..again. But Walther was still out there *someplace*; she had a sneaking suspicion that sooner or later, he would return to plague them... But that was then; for now, it was enough to believe in what they were, and where they were going... Home. * * * Present time... With an abrupt snap, the transfer gate came online, and William gazed out upon the stars he knew, in the time he belonged...once again. But the memories remained...they would not go away. Jennie's eyes, in that unknown time and place, dark and knowing beneath her long, red hair... He gazed over, again, at her...as she was, in this here and now...with blonde hair only *just* long enough to tie back...and shook his head. Pain and fire and sorrow, she had said....he closed his eyes. Best not to think about it. The future was *not* set in stone. "Message coming in..." Talion reported, and then the young Ranger smiled. "It is Tashann. William...he wants to speak to you." "Excellent. Tashann...is all well on this end? Jennifer and Brianna tell me that there was some small problem returning, and that they had to ask for help..." "Val'na...we are...pleased to see your return, we feared the worst when you did not *at first* come back...and then..." A cold lump settled into William's gut. "At *first*?? Tashann, I think you had better start at the beginning." "You will recall, William, that Draal mentioned to us the existence of *another* rift...the Entil'zha took a group of Rangers *to* that rift to stop Shadow interference after your departure backwards in time. During the...enounter, the Entil'zha's companion and fellow Ranger, Catherine Sakai, was lost in battle..." Without looking, William could hear the faint gasps behind him. But after all that had happened, he had *very* little emotion left to expend. "What aren't you telling me, Tashann?" Tashann quite *visibly* forced himself to regain his composure before going on. "The main rift, as well as the now closed hyperspace rift, was damaged during the encounter. A...great deal of time has passed since that event." "What exactly...do you define as 'a great deal', Tashann?" "It is...by your calendar, Val'na, now the...19th day of November, 2259." In Valen's Name...NOVEMBER?? He turned to the rest, and saw, without trying, the shock and dismay on their faces. More then *two and a half* months they had lost...and what had happened in the time since then? "What...has happened?" "I cannot tell you...that is the province of the Entil'zha. Regardless...I will rendezvous with you shortly, and we will let Zathras be on his way. You are summmoned to Minbar...we are *all* summoned to Minbar...and there, Val'na, Valen willing, you will find what you seek." The signal cut...and a protracted silence spread through the cabin. A silence broken, finally, by Talion. And what *he* said, he said for them all... "Oh..*Hell*" * * * **************************************************************************** Next: Ulkesh Naranek of Vorlon has watched and guided the path of those important enough to warrant his concern. Now, the time is coming when *all* will be tested, harsher then ever before. Whether or not they are up to the test, will be the question..."The Fatal Flaw", the next to last part of "Destiny's Call", a 2 parter, starting Monday... **************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 12a Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 10:16:54 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 12 "THE FATAL FLAW" PHASE I OF II ** "Time. There was never enough time for us to enjoy what we had with one another. Our relationship was built in the midst of a crucible of pain and suffering. So *many* people around us died in the War, and the wars that followed it. Was it our folly to believe that having won the toss, having paid the ultimate sacrifice in so many ways, that it would be over just because we said it should be?? It never works that way...and now...now it is almost too late for apologies...too late to take back the words that should never have been said. Some say destiny...most say something else entirely..." ** From the afterword of "Annontated Notes on the Last War of the Shadow" as published in the EY 2290 * * * Nov 20, 2259...enroute to Minbar... William leant into the hardness of the bunk, his eyes narrow with exhaustion, while beside him, and within the circle of his arms, Jennie slept the sleep of the dead. So much they had been through...he nodded grimly. The voice from the future called out its litany again in his mind. Pain and fire and sorrow...and this was only the beginning. The Shadows still loomed in the background, their long darkness still threatened the galaxy...but a great deal more had changed then that, by the look of things. He had seen the haunted look in Tashann's eyes...what the Minbari, even though Tashann served under his command, wouldn't tell him. Disturbing...*far* too disturbing. *EIGHTY-FOUR DAYS*, lost, through an accident of fate and design. The anniversary of the Beginning, lost, and gone. It was *not* fair at all...he had been more then ready to raise a glass to all the dead they had survived...and he suspected that Jennie would have raised one with him. The ATLANTA...all the people killed at Nighthawk...and they had survived, and carried on. And for what reason?? Because of a 'destiny' prohecied by the Vorlons...that was no reason, even though it seemed to work all too well. There were still too many questions, and too few answers for anyone's good... And now, they were returning to the place that had given them a new life, summoned back by the man who lead them in what they were...a man who was now more alone then anyone had a right to be... * * * Elsewhere... Brianna was as from rest as her leader was...and, at the same time, as far as it was possible to be from the waking world. Ever since their return through the rift, the shades of what were coming had intruded on her thoughts...and Ulkesh...Ulkesh was *always* there, in the background. She turned in the dream, and he was, as usual, there... ##Your mind is once again quiet enough to hear us. Know that it is the Time of the *Testing*## "The Testing? What is the Test...and why is it happening?" she asked...not that she expected a straight answer from Ulkesh, but that didn't stop her from asking. Maybe...sooner or later, the Vorlon would make a mistake, and actually tell her something she needed to know...but, at the same time, it was not *possible* for her to wish to be on his bad side...he had shown himself to her only *once*...and forever in the background was her need to *see* him again... ##We* must be sure that we have made the right choices. Mistakes and choices of anger made.## "By who?" ##The Watcher and The Stalker are touched by darkness. This must be corrected. You will assist## *THIS* didn't sound good at all. "They are my friends, Ulkesh!...my leaders...they *saved* me from what I was...what the Shadows made me!! I will not hurt them." ##They are not ready for that which is, and will be. You have seen the Beginning, and the End. The Middle awaits. They must be ready...*he* is coming. You **will** assist## She nodded. "As you wish." ##Then let it begin## Brianna snapped awake, and let her breath out in a great rush. Damnit!..she had been holding her breath again... "He?" she whispered, eyes wide, and wondering. "He *who*?" * * * Tuzanor...Nov 23rd, 2259... A low, scudding overcast hung over the Valley of Sorrows, and great snowflakes fell from the sky, on top of the heavy cover of snow that already lay over the Ranger Compound. Jennie raised her eyes to the horizon..the ever present mountains of her memories were hidden in the storm. They had returned to Minbar Winter...something they had never seen in their time here as Trainees. A harsh cold wind blew across the landing pad, and the three of them quickly backed away as the Minbari Flyer, with a slight sigh, rose off the pad and receded into the snow. Beside her, William and Brianna drew the hoods of their insulated cloaks up over their heads. A great deal had changed...and none more, it seemed, then the man who waited for them. She cast her gaze across the figure, dressed in the all too familiar brown and gray, and stopped. An angular scar rode on the cheek of the Entil'zha...more had changed then she suspected... "Entil'zha!" William called out, and as one, the three Rangers bowed to their leader. "In Valen's Name, we have returned...we are honored to have the Entil'zha welcome us home." Sinclair nodded, the light of interest in William's comment showing his eyes. "I bid you welcome, Val'na...and all who follow you. You are important to the Rangers...and to I...and you have traveled through the darkness to places I cannot go. I would have no other meet you." "We understand." Then, William got right to the point. "Entil'zha...rumours of darkness swirl around us...is it true?" "I'm afraid that it is, and I regret the movements that trapped you where you were, for so long...perhaps some of what happened could have been avoided...but more likely...not. A great deal has happened since your departure, and the future has never looked darker." "The Narns...?" she inquired, heart heavy. G'kael... "Have fallen, Jennifer, as you and G'kael predicted. A little more then a month ago, the last of their fleet were ambushed by the Shadows, and destroyed. It was a desperate gamble...and one they were fated to lose. The Centauri did not waste any time, as G'kael also predicted. Shortly after the ambush, a large fleet of their warships bombarded the Narn Homeworld...a great many have died." "Mass drivers." William ground out, mouth bitter behind his moustache and beard. "Unfortunately so." Sinclair brushed the snow off his hood, face grim. "So much we could have done, with the proper resources...but the Rangers are not yet ready...almost...but not quite. And so...we watch, and the darkness unfolds to cover all that we know." The Centauri have fallen in with that Darkness, and the Narns are broken." Brianna whispered, her voice leaden. "They won't stop there.. ...it would be too much to hope. The League worlds will be next...and what then? When will it be Earth's turn??" "It will be soon...that is undeniable." William muttered. We have seen what lies hidden beneath the pleasantries, and sooner or later, Clark will move...I should have seen it sooner. Whether or not we will be ready when that happens is unknown. However...all is not lost; we *have* heard Ambassador Delenn has told Captain Sheridan the truth. Is this so?" Sinclair smiled..a little. "If only on Babylon 5, a little hope remains for us; yes, William, you are correct. Shortly after the fall of Narn, the existence of the Rangers was revealed to Captain Sheridan...this, after being told of the Shadows the month before...a desperate gamble, but, as it turned out, the correct one. The Captain has taken the news well...and I hope that, like you, William, he will eventually stand at the forefront of the battle that is coming. For now, however, you may rest. Ambassador Ulkesh has told me that you should join him in *your* place of meditation at nightfall this evening. He has something to tell you...and no, I don't know what it is. Only, that Ulkesh was one of the loudest voices in calling you back to this place." "I do not pretend to like this, Entil'zha...the Vorlons have done much for us, but at the same time, there is still so much that we do not know of them. And now, Ulkesh summons us..." Sinclair nodded somberly as they moved inside out of the snow. "I understand your concerns, William, but I highly doubt that the Vorlons wish us ill. Ulkesh is darker then the other Vorlon I know, but he helps us, all the same. In any case, you are Rangers...and I will *not* let you come to any harm." William nodded, but his eyes stayed dark. "We will have to wait and see, then, what the Vorlon intends for us. Good day, Entil'zha." As they parted ways with Sinclair, Jennie caught Brianna's eyes... and almost jumped, at the palpable fear that suddenly showed there. "You know something, don't you?" Brianna nodded, and shook her head somberly. "Ulkesh spoke to me, when we were returning. *Someone* is coming...I don't know who...SOMEONE to test you...somehow. Ulkesh wouldn't say more...I suspect he *will* this evening...but I don't think you're going to enjoy whatever's in store for you...that's just the impression I got." Brianna turned away, and a knot of fear appeared inside her. Not enjoy?? What could this mean? * * * The storm had broken, at last, and the bright stars once more showed their faces over the Valley of Sorrows. The light from the buildings behind spilled out over the long ledge, as William held his gaze on the long, familiar mountain Range bordering one side of the compound. Automatically, his eyes found the now aging scar created by the Z'nipc so many months before...*that* had been a Test, also...if of a different sort. And they had passed that one in defeating the Shadow creature...how many more awaited...how many *more* brushes with death? William gazed to his side, where Brianna knelt, deep in meditation, and Jennie, almost in silence, whirled her denn'bok about in a circle of silver fire barely bigger then herself. She had become a holy terror with that weapon...and although she had as yet only used the weapon in true combat a few times, more would be coming, that he knew... "He is coming." Brianna intoned, rising to her feet, and turning. In an instant, Jennie came to a halt, and closed the denn'bok. Seconds later, the weapon vanished, and as one, the three turned, to see the moving mountain of the Vorlon appear. "Ambassador...you honor us with your presence." he intoned, as they bowed. "May we ask the reason you have summoned us here?" #Darkness has touched you.# "Gideon. We could do nothing about that." #Irrevelant. Companions to darkness you are...flawed. We must be sure we have made the right decision...chosen the correct path. You must be tested. The Inquisitor is coming.# "The...*Inquisitor*?? I don't understand." And then, an instant later, the thought crossed his mind...*do* I WANT to understand? #All will be explained..all will be seen. You will go to my ship...and wait. The Inquisitor will join you...obey the Guide.# Ulkesh turned away, and departed, leaving the three alone on the ledge once more...now with their uncertainties, and doubts. "Inquisitor..." Jennie breathed, her face a mask. "To inquisit...to look for answers...to *extract* secrets. I don't like this...but what choice do we have?" "If you don't do as Ulkesh asks..." Brianna added, her voice low, "The Vorlons will abandon you. Sooner or later, the Shadows will strike again..and you shall have no shelter. This I know." "The Guide?" Brianna looked over at him. "That...would be me, William, if you haven't already guessed. The Inquisitor will arrive in, if I understand correctly, slightly more then twenty of our hours. We may sleep, if we can, and then take a shuttle up to the docks above...to where Ulkesh's ship is. There, we will find...another...*and* the Inquisitor...whoever he, she or *it* is." "Then lets try and get some rest...while we can. We going to need it, I think." * * * Nov 24th, 2259...Minbari Orbital Installation "Vashonn" "Almost..hypnotic..." Jennie whispered to him, as William's gaze ran across the flickering...shifting surface of Ulkesh's ship, cradled in the dark blue, crystalline dock. "Isn't it?" "I try not to look too closely...where's Brianna?" "The Inquisitor's transport docked a short time ago...she was summoned to join him..." * * * With palpable fear, Brianna watched the side of the yellow and brown Vorlon transport iris open. A figure emerged...and her mouth nearly dropped. What she had been expecting was another Vorlon...*not* what came towards her now... A harsh faced, immaculately dressed, if sallow faced *man*, face glacial, eyes of winter, walking with a staff with a great bulb of crystal on one end. On every second step, the staff hit the ground, making a 'click...click...click' sound. The eyes of the Inquisitor met her own, and Brianna shuddered...is was as if a beam of ice had caught her in its grip. "As Servant to servant, I greet you. You seem...surprised...to see what I am. You should not have been. By now, you should *realize* what our Masters are capable of." "I...you surprise me..." The Inquisitor's mouth curled into an unpleasant, cold smile. "Sebastian is sufficient. So!...I find that my duties, all comments by certain parties to the contrary, are as yet uncomplete...and I also find that you are asked to assist me. I need *no* assistants...what I have come to do, I will do *myself*." "Then what will be my part in this...Inquisition?" "Those I have come to meet will answer my questions...individually, for the most part...and I *will* find the answer I want from them, whether they wish to give it to me..or not. *You* will keep them isolated, uncertain..." Sebastian bent close to her, "..and unexpectant of what awaits them. It would not be...acceptable...for one to warn the other of what awaits..that is, if I choose to *release* the first...and I already *know* who that will be." "I...understand." "You do not like this...but your wishes are immaterial to me...and, additionally, quite foolish. I have not been sent here to test *you*...put aside your fears. However..." Sebastian paused contemplatively. "Whether or not your...companions pass my judgement has *yet* to be determined. Take me to them...*now*." The fear inside of her turned to horror at that point. This... Sebastian was beyond cold...his efficiency and mercilessness was complete. William and Jennifer knew *not* what they were facing...and could not. In the back of her mind, the song of Ulkesh loomed, threatening and harsh. Too many watchers...too little time... And no warning. Oh Valen!...watch over them...they need it, more now then *ever*, to survive this man and what he he intends... * * * **************************************************************************** Next: Jennifer and William face the terrifying test of the Inquisitor. Who will survive, and who will be changed, has yet to be determined... **************************************************************************** "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 12b Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 13:28:12 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 12 "THE FATAL FLAW" PHASE II of II **"It is often commented upon that for a race opposed diametrically in principles to those that the various intelligent species in the universe called The Shadows, the Vorlons didn't offer their help until almost too late, and then, when John Sheridan, and others, decided to burn the rule book at the end of 2260, then, it was quite literally as if the genie had been let out of the bottle. Both races possessed an almost callous, cynical viewpoint on the galaxy almost as their private playground...if any one of the 'toys' stepped too far out of line, then a sometimes devastating, and always painful response was called for. One of the more outspoken of those critical of this worldview is Jennifer Clifford, self styled 'Observer' and inside historian of the Great War's Three phases. She is famous for her articles on the Great War, and is currently dividing her time between her duties on the Ranger High Council in Tuzanor, and writing her own autobiographical view of her experiences with destiny, war, and these two ancient cultures. Here, she talks of her first experience with the darker side of the Vorlon culture, in late 2259. 'Almost through happenstance, in a story well known to all of our readers, one of our former comrades fell in with the Shadows and decided to serve them. This man then turned his attentions to us just about for the rest of the War. But during the time I refer to, this problem receded into the background, and was replaced by a larger one. The Vorlon then assigned to Minbar had played a large part in guiding our entrance into the Rangers, and one thing the Vorlons didn't like to do was doubt the choices they made. Hence, this particular Vorlon decided a test of our loyalties was in order..."** An excerpt from "Two Sides of Darkness" the third part of Amanda Zefram Teague's "Holding the Line..." as published in the Earth year 2279 * * * Nov 24th, 2259...[The First Cycle of Hell: Elapsed Time:0] An isolated part of the orbital complex had been set aside for the Inquisitor to ask his 'questions', and while it was, like most Minbari areas of meeting, airy and spacious, the usual well-lit environment was absent...only a faint bluish-red glow suffused the chamber. Jennie looked about herself...she was *quite* alone... Or was she? Of a sudden, a blaze of light leapt into existence about her, and another appeared nearby. Within it was a *man*...expression cold, and forboding...face caught in bitter lines, a peak of dark, slightly graying hair on his head. She tried to believe what she was seeing and hearing, as the other approached...she knew her histories...it had been an interest of youth. The man *appeared* to be dressed as a well-to-do English gentleman would in the period almost *four* centuries before the present. It immediately threw her off, this uncertainty...this man certainly *wasn't* a Vorlon...which is what she had been expecting. But this man *did*, quite obviously, work *for* the Vorlons...he had arrived in this place on one of their transports. What was *going on here*? "You are acceptive of orders, I see. How good of you; how... predictable." A shimmering sound crossed the floor towards her, out of the darkness, and she looked down, to see something resembling a old-styled Gaelic torc at her feet. "Put it on." Jennie bent down, and with slightly trembling hand, stretched the circlet, and slipped it into place around her neck. A deeper fear then she was used to feeling entered her at that point...this *couldn't* be what she thought it was...could the Vorlons be *that* cruel? The Inquisitor nodded at her. "Very well. The situation, as it stands, is quite simple, and *most* unfortuanate. You have have given the Vorlon cause to doubt...and thus, I have been summoned here to test your loyalties. We will determine, here and now, whether or not the Vorlon is correct in his fears." "He is not." she coolly replied. "We shall see. Very well, let us begin; *Who are you?*" She stood proudly...*this* one was easy to answer. "I am a Ranger...and I serve the One. We travel in all the places others will not, and do the things that others cannot do." "I see. But then...you do not even know who 'The One' is, do you? And why? I see you can answer *neither* question; dissapointing, but *not* unexpected." The Inquisitor grounded his staff, and Jennie half-sagged against the near wall, shocked by the pain that briefly...suddenly, coursed through her...she had been right. Eyes wide, she raised her hands to the ring around her neck, and met the Inquisitor's knowing gaze. "Unacceptable response. Perhaps now, Anla'shok that you have the audacity to call yourself!...when you do not even belong to the race that created that word; you more clearly understand the seriousness of the question. I am not interested in catechisms or ritual phrases, I have heard more of that from those who have stood before me, as you stand now, then you could possibly have memorized, courtesy of this organization you so *cherish*. So...I ask again: **Who are you**?" She thought, frantically...maybe..."I am the Obser...aughhh!" This time, a blue flicker of energy flamed in her half-closed eyes, and she could not stop herself from sagging to the floor. "Unacceptable response! I do not wish to know the title *they* have given you, I know of this already. It is a simple answer I look for...and yet, I find *another* who cannot answer the simplest of questions. You are all the same...flawed, imperfect!...incapable of even giving the correct answer to a most simple question...yet another who believes herself *chosen* of God...an angel of mercy out to record the ills of the land, perhaps?" The Inquisitor shook his head sadly. "And you believe that you can *save* the masses through this 'observing', do you?" "It is what I am, and what I do. If only so those who are yet to come can avoid the mistakes we made in coming to this place, and this time. I am what I am...watcher; warrior; guard to those that *matter*." "All at the same time? Fascinating." The Inquisitor walked closer to her, but she did not rise...sooner rather then later she would give him another wrong answer, and then...no, this situation was *intolerable*!! How *dare* Ulkesh do this to her? "And these three things make you what you are?" "No...of course not. Our beliefs make us what we are, and guide the choices we make...to *bring* us to what we are." "So...you believe you do what you do because it is right...because you can *save* the future from the mistakes of the present." The Inquisitor pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Perhaps...but *why*?" "I...do what I do because those that we face seek to destroy us, what we have faced already...agents of evil...invisible warriors... assassins! I joined Earthforce even before I knew of the Shadows... because I saught to stop that which was wrong. And now, I, as a Ranger, stand against the Darkness...because of its wrongness." "So." The Inquisitor leaned towards her on his staff, eyes narrow. "Your Enemy is wrong, just because *you* see that you are right?" "Yes, of co.." A corona of blue fire surrounded her, and she crumpled, a shrill whine escaping from her lips...not a scream; but almost. The *pain*...how much *longer* would this go on? With hands trembling, she touched the torc around her neck again, and turned one eye towards her tormentor, who stood, regarding her, somewhat sadly, it seemed... "Any time you wish to, you may remove it. But I know you...you are all the same...*pride* will prevent you from removing it...in what you are, what you are doing, and, of course, most importantly, *why*. Removing it will tell the Vorlon that his beliefs are true...and your holy cause will have *failed*. But, you are incapable of admitting that failure, and *that* is what we are here to *cure*. One way, or the other, we will break you of that fault. Whether or not you survive that breaking...is *entirely* up to you." * * * Interlude...Babylon 5...Elapsed Time, 2 hours, 30 minutes... "Delenn...I have heard disturbing news from Homeworld. He who troubled us so...he lied to the Captain!" "Not lies, Lennier, but he twists the words to his own liking enough that we heard what we wanted to hear. The Captain told me his words exactly..'perhaps now, they will let me rest'. We are not alone in this fight...and the Vorlons have been given great cause to doubt. Darkness is everywhere." "But Delenn!...these are *Rangers* he is testing! This cannot be allowed!" A casting of eyes across the report, and the names in that report. "So. I not believe *we* can stop this, Lennier, even if we tried.. But Mr. Sebastian operates in such a fashion that he would repeat himself, the siutations are similar enough. Perhaps Anla'shok Westcastle can be warned soon enough to act...before it is *too* late." * * * [The Second Cycle of Hell: Elaspsed Time, 3 hours, 45 minutes] "We have been told..." the Inquisitor commented, as he circled about Jennie's half-crouched form, "That you have done *well* in your duties, to date. Of course, what *well* means is somewhat...debatable." "I have *seen* the darkness of the war to come, I have defeated an agent of our Enemy, I have stopped their plots. If you wish to define *well*, Mr. Sebastian, then *define* that as a beginning! See what the other Rangers see of us...we have *done* our duty in the name of the Light, and the team we are building will last *long* after we are gone." "Ah...so, through fire, and with the Hounds of Hell barking after your heels, you lead your comrades...your friends...into places that others will not go. But then, that was burnt into your soul by this place, was it not? Very well...are you willing to risk those comrades...those friends of yours, to sacrifice them, to *sacrifice YOURSELF* if necessary, to stop your enemies?" She opened her mouth wide, indecisive, oh God, n..the flame, the pain...the silent scream. "But of course not!...if you sacrificed yourself to that greater cause, then your *own* cause, your *HOLY* cause, would fail, wouldn't it? The Observer, the *Chosen* one, you would die, and you cannot allow that to happen, can you?" "The...the greater need is to save all that can be saved." "You are weak..indecisive!! And that indecisiveness will kill your comrades and friends more surely then anything else you do. And that, you see, is the root *flaw* at the heart of it all...you seek to save *that* which *cannot* be saved, and thus, you are turned from what you could be, what you *are*...do you do this thing out of loyalty to your Anla'shok, or out of a need to better your OWN name? To further *your* status?; is this the mark of a *true* leader?" "I do *this thing* because it is RIGHT! Because it is WRONG to allow those around us to die through neglection! If we cannot try and save those that fall for us, or have fallen through faults not our own, then we are *not* the leaders we should be." The Inquisitor nodded. "Now, perhaps, we begin to cut to the root of the problem. Those who have fallen through faults not your own...is this not a paradox? How can you further your great cause, and save those who cannot, or should not be saved...at the same time? You are lost, a ship without a rudder, and sooner or later, that is what will kill all who follow you." She turned on him, and the rage came through at last. "How *dare* you say that...how *Dare* you? After all that I've been through? The pain of seeing loved ones die, the agony of watching MY command destroyed by *those* we face, and you tell me all I do is NOT enough? *You* are the one who is wrong, you are the one who is lost, I have *told* you *again and again* who I am, and you go ON and ON, just what is the *answer* you are looking for?" The Inquisitor's face, which had been growing icier and icier during this outburst, finally twisted into a sneer. "Who are you?" "I am a Ranger, damn y.." The corona of fire passed across her, head to toe, and she collapsed, finally...completely. There was no escape, and the click of the dreaded staff sang around her body... "You are a failure, at all you do, not a leader...not a *holy* watcher of that which is...only...a failure. And that..." The Inquisitor slowly intoned, as he bent his furious, blazing eyes down towards her, "Is what will kill you, here...and now." It was inevitable...the scream came, at last...over the Inquisitor's mocking laughter. * * * Interlude...elapsed time, 4 hrs, 15 minutes... "Anla'shok Westcastle?" "Yes?" William barked, as he ceased his pacing. Hours it had been now...hours of silence...hours of fear. "There is a message for you...from Babylon 5." "I will come." Anything to break this *waiting* He followed the Minbari to the terminal, and was shocked to see who the caller was... "Ambassador, in Valen's Name, this is..." "There is no time for that now, Anla'shok! The one you care for is in the hands of a monster. I fear that if you do not intervene, she that is all to you will die at his hands. *He* is waiting for you. *Go*...or save her not at all." "I understand." William roughly turned away, and almost ran into Brianna. "Get *out* of my way!" "No, William!...I *promised* him I wouldn't let you..." Brianna faltered, and stopped, halted by the murderous gaze he knew he was showing. "I hold you as a friend, Brianna, and a comrade, but if you *do not* step out of my way, that may not last. The Inquisitor has had Jennifer in his hands for more then FOUR hours now, and I have just received a warning that four hours may be *too* long. Step out of my way, *now*" Brianna did. * * * [The Last Cycle of Hell...elapsed time, 4 hours, 19 minutes...] "This isn't going to work, I'm afraid." The Inquisitor whispered in her nearly unhearing ear. "I cannot cure you of what cannot be excised, it is in you, through and through, like a cancer. The Vorlon's fears are proven true, and he will hear this from me soon enough. You are lost, and the Darkness takes advantage. We have been..." The door opened. "Ah...always the same, emotions of weakness betray you all. Our final player *finally* arrives." "Enough." came a voice she knew, and Jennie weakly turned her head to see William enter the chamber. "I have been warned of you...and I will not let you torture her *any* longer." "No!.." she cried, "William, leave me!...you cannot defeat him, you don't know what he's capable of!" William narrowed his eyes. "I swore never to leave leave you again. I can.." "I doubt that *very* much." The Inquisitor grounded his staff, and a vast sheet of fire raced across the floor, and flung William against the wall, where he hung, head loosely to one side, half-unconscious from the blow. Jennie hid her eyes, and whimpered...wrung out, through and through, and now this *thing* would do the same to the man she loved... "And what have we here?" The Inquisitor asked of the man he had trapped on the wall, pinned like an insect. "Drawn by a warning he could not interpret. No matter; I have determined her weakness, you have already displayed your own. Trapped in hers like a fly in amber, trapped by your *caring*...pitiful. You're just as bad as she is." "Go to Hell." "Always the same declaration, William Westcastle, Stalker of naught!...and always the same meaning. Forever trying to escape from your fate, forever trying to reclaim the past. It cannot be done, it is impossible...and you are equally damned by your belief in prophecy. What will come of this on the day when all must be sacrificed, when you held back by as weak an emotion as *love* of her? Weakness preying on weakness!... tainted by darkness, tainted by sin!" The Inquisitor casually ran great strings of fire across William's body. "You cannot be saved...you do not deserve to be saved..." "*STOP THIS*!" The Inquisitor turned a curious eye on the barely standing, furious, disheveled Jennifer. "And what is he to you? You plead with me to save *him* for as weak an emotion as *love*?" "No..so, you want to know *who* I am? I am more then companion to this man, I stand *with* this man against the darkness, because *he* says it is the right thing to do!...not I! He leads me, not because of our love for one another, but because he can do NO other thing! If he asks me to make the sacrifice, if there is no other choice, if *that* is the right thing to do, then I will do it, willingly!!" "But what of your *destiny*? What of all the writings you would do? What of all those indifferent souls you seek to save and protect? What of *he* who you try to save, *he* who infects you, *he* who is the cause and effect of what this is?" "If we cannot do what must be done in his name, in the Ranger's name, in VALEN's name, then nothing else matters! If we do not strive to save them, to redeem them from the darkness, then we fail in what we are. And if we must *die* in that saving, then so be it, we will have done our duty for the side of Light. Do you understand?...DO YOU?" "Is this true?" the Inquisitor asked of William. "Speak truly...now, more then ever, I hold your lives in my hands." "Yes. She does what she does because of what we were, what we are, what we will be. We lead because it is *necessary*, not because we seek greatness. This is what we are...for better, or for worse. Believe us, and see what the result will be." The Inquisitor paused...one long pause. And then...he nodded...and waved his staff. A moment of fugue...and then, William and Jennie stood alone...and the torc...the damned torc...was gone from around her neck. A second later, they were holding one another..and then... The 'click, click' of the Inquisitor's Staff interrupted their reunion, and they turned, as one, to see him standing nearby. "It is as I suspected, and as the Vorlon did. You do not follow this course through delusions of grandeur, of becoming immortal through your writings...of saving the fallen for the sake of salvation...and alone, in the dark, one or the other of you will abandon your standing, and follow the course to the end. It is well...it is enough. Follow your course...and all will be as you have seen." There was another flash...and then, the Inquisitor was gone. * * * "But I didn't even...do anything..." Brianna whispered, as the three of them watched the Inquisitor's transport leave the orbital dock. William smiled at her. "I don't know about that.." he replied, and then turned his head slightly to meet Jennie's incoming kiss. * * * Nov 28th, 2259...Tuzanor, the Ranger Compound. "Trials." Sinclair muttered. "Too many trials." ##They have responded as expected. They will enter the fire...and perhaps they will survive...perhaps.## "They will." ##We will see.## The Vorlon, inscrutable as always, turned, and left the chamber. Sinclair nodded. "They may surprise you." he whispered to the departing cowl of the encounter suit. * * * "The Orders are clear enough." William commented. "Things are getting worse by the day...we are needed, once again, on Babylon 5...and then, elsewhere." "But there's *nothing* at those coordinates but empty space!" "You may be *surprised* at what empty space contains, Observer." "Nothing will surprise me, anymore, Tashann." "Enough already, In Valen's Name!" William barked from the door, his mouth half twisted into a smile. "We have places to be..." "And destinies to follow?" Talion inquired, his eyebrows high. Jennie laughed, and then went to join her love. "No, Talion, we make our *own* destinies from now on." ***************************************************************************** Next: It is the End of the Earth Year 2259...and as events spiral out of control, both on the station called Babylon 5 and throughout the known universe, the Rimstalker, the Observer and their companions will be caught in the middle of the Hurricane...night is falling, and what will follow is uncertain..."The Peace of the Sword" the FINAL part of "Destiny's Call", beginning tomorrow... ***************************************************************************** <*> "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 13a Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 16:03:28 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** This one will make the wait that is coming worthwhile, I hope...and, at the same time, cause the readers of RS to gnash their teeths a little! ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 13 "THE PEACE OF THE SWORD" PHASE I OF III **"By the last month of 2259, things which had been developing for some time finally began coming to a head. The cycle of preparation was nearly over, and this was no more clearly seen then in the signing of a non-agression pact with the Centauri, who were, at that point, flush with their 'victory' over the Narn, given the chance to dream dreams of empire once again...and, as is now seen, for the final time. Meanwhile, the scant beginnings of what would later be called the White Star Fleet, that armada of tiny, powerful starships that would prove so necessary to the battles awaiting the Army, were, at first, exercises in learning by Example, as in John Sheridan's (then, of course, the commander of Babylon 5), climactic first strike against the Shadow Forces at Zagros 7 in the early days of 2260 using the first White Star prototype, and..."** From "Holding the Line..." * * * Dec 2nd, 2259...Babylon 5; The Garden. The destination was clear, but the path William took to that destination was arbitary. All around him, the business of Babylon 5's evening rotations continued; human businessmen and lovers at dinner, alien races about their inscrutable business. He gazed up, and as usual, kept a firm hand on the vertigo-inducing panorama of his surroundings. Far overhead, the core shuttle fled dockwards along its track, and beyond, the thousands of twinkling lights of surface trains, businesses and the odd home to powerful men blazed back at him through the twilight dimness. Everything had changed, and nothing had, since the last time he had gazed at this panorama, eleven months before. Walther had still been with them, the Rangers a far-off unknown, their course unclear. And now that he was finally at peace with his soul, past and present, the future awaited. The Rangers now stood in their multitudes, and went about their business, unafraid of what was, preparing for what was coming. He touched one finger to the brilliant jade crystal of his broach, and nodded, as his destination grew near. It was long since time that a closure was arrived at on this matter of honor. A figure stood there waiting for him, a figure that he of course recognized, if not yet as a friend, then as someone who now knew the truth of these matters more closely...he strode around the final barrier, and into the rock garden. "Captain...it's good to see you again. Let me thank you in advance for your time this evening, I understand the strain your duties are imposing upon you with all that's going on." "It takes a *lot* to surprise me nowadays, Mr. Westcastle, but you just managed to do just that. Delenn didn't tell me that you had joined the Rangers." "No, sir. The Ambasssador knows a great many things, as you have already no doubt discovered, and this is just one. But in this, she was more then willing to keep my secret, until I believed that the time was right for us to meet again, face to face. I do apologize, sir, for the, shall we say, secretive nature of the message I sent to you earlier this year. But we are taking different paths towards the Storm that is coming...and when it finally breaks, I believe we will have reached the same place, but from different destinations." A rueful nod. "It just isn't possible to put them out of our minds anymore, is it? They're waiting out there...plotting, manipulating, behind the scenes. And when the time comes..." "When the time comes, we will do what is right, Valen willing, and for the right reasons. And when we make our stand, sir, you and I, and that time *will* be coming, sooner or later, we will think back on this meeting, and what we have done to reach that spot, and we will nod, and say, 'perhaps, it was worth it after all. Perhaps, the choices we made were the right ones.'" "Perhaps." The Captain passed a crystal over to him. "You know what needs to be done with this, of course?" "Yes, sir...and thank you." "All right, then. While I do hate to cut this short..." the Captain rose, his gaze prudent, it was obvious that he had other places to be this evening...things could not be allowed to become *too* obvious, after all... "My duties never seem to leave me much time for conversation just lately. I'll put it plainly: The Rangers are lucky to have you working for them, Mr. Westcastle...very lucky, *indeed*." He nodded, a smile on his face. "I like to think so. Very well, then; until the next time we meet...Captain." * * * Elsewhere...another meeting, another place; <> "He did not..*overly*...mistreat you, I trust?" "That all depends on how you define *mistreat*, Ambassador. Mr. Sebastian's..methods..are direct and to the point, perhaps to extremes. But I believe he always gets the results he wants, for good or for ill. And in this case, the results were clear. William and I are now closer to one another then ever before...and if the situation were right, then I believe William would lay down his life for me, or I for him." "*Perhaps* you are right, but results are sometimes not means to an end. It is not *right* for such as him to lay pain so...indiscrimantly...on those he tests, but all the same, it is what he is. And the concerns of those he works for are...valid." "The situation is grave, and I understand those concerns. But what may be more of a concern is that we see the Vorlons as all knowing, all powerful, and, most importantly, our teachings tell us that they do *good*. But how does one define good and evil, Ambassador?...in shades of gray, perhaps?" "Perhaps. We will need to think on this a great deal in the times to come." "Yes; a *great* deal." A movement. "Ambassador...Anla'shok." "Yes, Lennier?" "Forgive my interruption, but you asked me to inform you when the meeting that Anla'shok Westcastle requested with Captain Sheridan was concluded. That has now occurred." "Thank you, Lennier." A calm, but pointed gaze. "You should not be gone when he returns." "I understand. Thank you for your...time, Ambassador." "No thanks are necessary." Another pause. "I once told your companion the same I will tell you now...you are valuable to us in ways we have not yet discovered...this will not be the last time we talk." She bowed. "That will be true, Valen willing." "Indeed. Lennier will show you out." * * * And Another; <> Brianna shivered in the darkness. Circles of light travelled back and forth across the floor she strode across, and that was all. *He* who had summoned her here was a unknown, a cipher. Ulkesh's song, for the first time she could remember, was muted enough to not affect her at all. She turned...the approaching presence was unmistakable. "Ambassador Kosh." ##Yes.## "Why do you call me to this place?" ##The darkness, for now, lies within the crystal...you have come to this place, looking.## "For what?" ##This.##. The cowl of Kosh's encounter suit sprang open, and Brianna stood, bedazzled by the light within... * * * Dec 4th, 2259.. "Can't you *see* it?" Jennie demanded, as William stood nearby, his gaze inscrutable. "Earth is turning in upon itself, slowly but surely. It is only a matter of time until they ratify a non-agression pact with the Centauri..just *enough* to ensure that their borders are secure!! This.. Nightwatch is bad enough, but in the background...the borderland of chaos and maniacial choices is approaching...and will eat the Alliance alive. "Nightwatch." Brianna coolly intoned, her gaze piercing the air from the other side of the room. "Dangerous...things we have not seen for hundreds of years. But the Psi Corp is worse...*much* worse. They hold their places of power, and the the places grow stronger as time goes on. The people of our Alliance will pay, in due course, and the End of the Innocence will be at hand." "*Surely* it won't get that bad, will it?" Talion demanded, his gaze pleading. "Believe what you will..." William finally commented, striding closer to the others as he did. "But the ladies are correct, Talion. You weren't where we were, almost a full year ago, to watch our hopes and our dreams fall into ashes, burned in the explosion of Earth Force One. An accident, he said; a 'terrible' accident. I don't believe it!...and I don't believe *him*...Clark is a lying fool, and in the background, the Shadows, insidious, unseen, tighten their stranglehold about all of them... Nightwatch...Ministry of *Peace*...Ministry of *Truth? Does this sound like a democratic government to you? It sounds to *me* like a government about to go out of control, mad on its own power. And sooner or later, something will push Clark over the edge...and this Orwellian Nightmare will reach forth its hand to darken our skies." "Orwellian?" "Nineteen-Eighty-Four." Jennie muttered, throwing herself into a nearby seat. "George Orwell's most remembered creation, a society of utter control, where everyone watches everyone, and betrayal was forever around the corner. There were 'Ministries of Peace and Truth' in Orwell's vision, and it looks like Clark and his followers ripped that page clear out to use." "This place will suffer when that occurs." A smile touched William's lips...a grim smile. "You may be surprised on that score, about a *great* many things. I'm about to tell you something that must remain a secret, something that Jennie knows a little about, but the rest of you do not." "Explain." "As far back as when I just met Jennie on Nighthawk, Captain Sheridan approached me through...discrete channels and revealed to me the existence of what you would call an...underground network, a network devoted to collecting secrets. In recent months, I have learned that this network has spread even up into the Earthforce Joint Chiefs of Staff...." "In Valen's Name, William!...if Clark attempts what you say he will, we may have a civil war on our hands!" William nodded, his glinting darkly. "Almost certainly." * * * Dec 5th, 2259... "Are you ready, Varanel?" "In Valen's Name, Tashann!...it is too soon!!" "The Entil'zha will not be pleased to hear this, as I'm sure you realize. The plan that has been underway for some time now must be followed, and sooner or later, the Shadows will give the Centauri cause to move against one of our installations. We must be ready before then, field trials *must* be conducted, and *one*, at least, must be ready for *their* use when that moment arrives. Therefore, I say again, are you ready?" A pause. "The *two* that exist to date are plagued with problems, Tashann, we must resolve these problems before that time comes. Very well, it will be as the Entil'zha requires...we will be at these coordinates in two standard days. Bring those you have told me of with you, and we will do what must be done." "We are pleased to hear this, Varanel. We will see you in due course." * * * "Val'na." Beside him, Jennie groaned, and turned one dangerous eye towards him. "Don't you *dare* get out of bed." He dared, and, of course, got a kick as a result. "Tashann...it's late, it's been a *long* day, and we've talked to far *too* many people today. I was more then ready to.." "I understand, Val'na, but the message we have been waiting for has come at last. We must leave this place tomorrow, for the coordinates provided to us by the Entil'zha. It is *time*...at *last*, it is time." "Well, I'll be..." "I see that you understand my comments, Val'na." "Oh, *yeah*." Tashann inclined one eyebrow. "Until tomorrow, then...it *has* been a long day, as you say, and I will let you return to your...*rest*." The link cut...and William chuckled. You little... A long, pale arm wrapped around his waist, and he turned into Jennie's pointed gaze. "What's so funny, Mister Stalker?" "I'll tell you..." he promised. "Later." * * * Dec 7th, 2259...deep space... With a flare and a howl, the transfer gate irised open, and with the familiar slight twist, the transport dropped back into realspace. "Okay, so where are they?" William asked dryly, as behind the human Rangers, Tashann and Dreann gathered their gear. "Varanel assured me that he and the rest would be at the coordinates well ahead of the time projected for our arrival. They are here, and if we do not see them, then sooner or later..." "Right there..." Talion procliamed, his gaze wide, and almost joyful. "There *they* are!!" As one, the Rangers approached the viewport, and the smiles spread. "Oh my.." Jennie breathed. "That's...." "Amazing." Brianna finished, her gaze equally awestruck. William nodded, not amazed, but proud at what hung before them. A beginning it was, but *what* a beginning.... ***************************************************************************** And what are *they*??? One guess....and the rest don't count! To be concluded... ***************************************************************************** <*> "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 13b Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 13:17:15 -0700 (MST) ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 13 "THE PEACE OF THE SWORD" PHASE II OF III **"I'll take two."** - Remark attributed to Commander Susan Ivanova upon the revelation of the First White Star prototype, Jan 2260 * * * Dec 7th, 2259... William nodded his head in satisfaction, as behind, the rest of the cadre broke into instant and animated discussion. Less then a hundred kilometres ahead of their ship, and closing, *two* violet and white starships hung in space together...ships based on a promise...ships built of necessity... "At last, Tashann. At *last* we can begin to do what must be done. But you surprise us all the same, I think...we were told that there would be *one* to start with..." "Varanel, who you have met, informed me of this while we on Babylon 5, Val'na. The first *full* size ship stands to the left in the formation. Her name, as you know, is the *White Star*, the first of many to come. Varanel himself commands the smaller experimental prototype known as the *Crystal Star*...of all the designs leading up to the full size warship we will be testing,,that vessel is the first to include a White Star jump engine. In all other respects, however, the Crystal Star possesses less firepower, lesser maneuverability, and little regenerative capability." "But...we need someone to practice *against*." "Precisely. The White Star will, when fully commissioned, outmaneuver and, all being well, outfight anything else in her class or better...and the Crystal Star prototype is the nearest equal we currently possess for field testing, to prove this case." "And it's our job, of course, to report back to the Entil'zha on the readiness state of the White Star, before *anything* else happens." "As you well know. However, for the present, I would suggest that you pay closer attention to your piloting then the task ahead. Our destination grows *quite* near." William chuckled, and turned his attention back to the task at hand. * * * Chronicles Log, Interlude, December 7th, 2259... My step onboard the White Star at the beginning of that fateful mission was an exercise in deja vu...the background noise, so unfamiliar and familiar at the same time, stopped me in my tracks...and it took me a moment to focus on what it meant to me...and then I understood...and more or less succeeded at hiding the shock at that understanding from those around me. The background noise...faint chimes...notes of silence and grandeur...called to me from the future I had seen during our mission into the rift; the memory of Jennie holding me against a background of *that* noise exactly...a White Star, in Earth Orbit, age unknown. *They* would be built, it was inevitable, whether or not it is this one we were on, I do not yet know... * * * "Oh boy..." Jennie muttered, casting her eyes around. "This doesn't look good at all." While the background 'thrum' of the White Star's engines was smooth and constant, the image of normality they had all been expecting was yet to be found. Temporary testing stations were set up throughout the ship, and Minbari of the Religious caste bustled back and forth on their tasks, beneath the floors, above the ceilings, and everywhere else that mattered. "Fear not, Jennifer." Dreann commented, turning to her comrade. "It may appear...unorganized, but I assure you that safety is paramount among the thoughts of those attending us here. Those with us must be sure of this vessel's capabilities before the next are constructed. Any problems that still exist must be corrected before the first mission against the Enemy is undertaken...many have already been elliminated, but there *may* still be some that have not as yet been found. That, of course, is our task." She shook her head, and then sighed. "Forgive me...it's just that every fighter, cruiser or destroyer I've ever been on has been in top shape. I've never been on a starship that's going thorugh a shakedown cruise before!" "Understandable; but think on this...in the near future, the Anla'shok will be called upon to command these vessels once they begin to appear in their multitudes. *We* are the first of the Rangers to be given this chance...a vision of the future, of what is to come. And there is *no* doubt at all that once the Fleet comes into being, we *will* be given command of these ships. You call such a position, 'Captain', do you not?" Jennie turned in mid-stride, and focussed a sharp gaze on Dreann. "We do...but the Rangers are all equal in some ways, and different in others. As for commanding such a ship as this, I have my reservations. William, now...his path towards such a command may be inevitable, but I would be more then content to serve at his side as First on *his* White Star when the time comes...this you should have understood without asking." Dreann nodded politely. * * * William turned in the bridge, his gaze uncertain...and a little annoyed. "Tashann..." "Yes, Val'na?" "There's no captain's *seat*." Tashann's brow rose, and then he nodded. "You must understand, Val'na, that war cruiser commanders do not...sit in our vessels. We have found it...best to remain standing in order that the full...picture, do you say?...can be seen. William sighed. The differences between them did not crop up often, but in the end, sooner or later, some were *bound* to appear. "*That's* definitely going to have to be corrected...eventually. We are less comfortable standing up in battle, Tashann...far less, I assure you. And the White Star fleet is, eventually, going to have a *lot* of human commanders." "Your comments are noted. It is unclear who the first fighting commander of this vessel will be, but if a similar response is noted, we will *likely* implement your suggestion. For now, however, Val'na, the White Star is yours to command. Tell us our destination, and the crew will act. The Crystal Star will follow us to that destination." William thought for a moment, and then turned to catch Jennie's eye over at the weapons station...and nodded; of *course*. He turned, thought for minute, and then...in Minbari, no less, even though the language came less easily to him then it did to Jennie..."Bring jump engines on line. Set course for the Dilgar system." Tashann nodded solemnly. "An excellent testing ground, Val'na." Space twisted ahead of the two warships, and a short time later, the stars shone alone. * * * Dec 12th, 2259...Neiphros Prime... "What do you want?" Walther calmly inquired, as before him, the Neiphros ambassador angrily leaned forward, spines agitated. "Your question is meaningless." "Is it? Come now...we have all heard the stories of what this represents. The Centauri even now reach out their hands to grasp on the specter of the past...while the Drazi, the Brakiri and the other *strong* races look to their borders and their neighbours with suspicion and distrust. The war is spreading, and soon enough, if things continue, the galaxy will catch fire. Neiphros possesses a less powerful navy then many of your neigbours...and the Brakiri are near enough to concern you. If *they* reach out their hand, what chance do you stand? So I say again...what do you want?" "What do *we* want?" the Neiphros ambassador angrily replied. "Security. Safety. To be left alone. To be left in peace." "Impossible. With your status, you would be crushed." "What do you propose?" "A...mutual treaty of respect between my associates and your government. If the Neiphros are attacked, you may request aid from my associates...and they will respond, I *assure* you." A glint of suspicion emerged in the Ambassador's eye. "And what *fee* must we pay for this...assistance?" Walther laughed politely. "Fee? No fee will be asked. No...my associates require nothing from you...except, perhaps, several small favors...one for now, and one, perhaps, if all goes as planned, for later." "Explain." "You are, I take it, familiar with the Dilgar system?" The Neiphros ambassador snarled. "The Dilgar system is a dead system, radiation-blasted, as was the Dilgar's due. Nothing lives there now." "But of course. However, the Dilgar system is, shall we say, a little *closer* to your worlds then you would like...as you and yours found out during the Dilgar War...they could reach you all too easily from their place of power...and they hurt you *badly*. For now, however, the Dilgar system is, I fear, *not* as dead as you believe." "The Dilgar *return*?" "No...of course not...*worse*. The powers that be plot against you, Ambassador...enemies of the Neiphros and of my associates move among the dead rubble...collecting information...plotting...watching." "Intolerable! They must be *stopped*...they must be STOPPED, denied their attempt, destroyed, anhillated! We will *not* be threatened." Walther nodded, and smiled the 'smile'. "No...of course not, Ambassador." * * * * * * Dec 14th, 2259...Dilgar system... Great clouds of gas hid most of the stars in this place, legacy of hate, legacy of death. Even this far from the Dilgar primary, the energy expended by the destruction of the system primary displayed its lethal effects. Every one of the gas giant moons in the system possessed two faces...one cold and cratered, as it had always been, the other glassily melted by the rage of that not-so-long-ago blast. The destruction was total...the silence, complete. And then, not, as around the fractured lim of the nearest moon, two tiny warships leapt into view, and blazed a violent track across the heavens... * * * "One-Eighty-Flip complete.." Talion tersely reported from the rear station. "Centrifugal shear stresses 2% above design maximum, and dropping." William shook his head, and turned to Tashann, who nodded. "We've *got* to get rid of that shear stress, Tashann. White Stars in true combat are going to have to make high speed breaks on a regular basis. We *cannot* afford to be thrown around the bridge every time we have to avoid a Shadow weapons strike!" "Understood." Tashann spoke tersely through the intra-ship comm system, and then turned. "Artificial gravity systems now compensated. The design group suggest that we repeat the procedure." "Do so." This time, William barely felt the shudder of forces as the White Star turned itself end over end and accelerated aft at well over five Earth gravities...and then the shuddering vanished completely... "Equilibrium attained." "Finally." Jennie commented wryly. "I can almost believe that you were actively *trying* to make me ill." William gave her a hard stare, and then they both smiled. "Next?" "Weapons test on primary and secondary batteries; direct simulated combat with the Crystal Star, approach from unknown vector, response time test." "Proceed." Slightly more then twenty minutes passed, and then, a relatively tiny jump point opened above and ahead of them, and for a time measured only by adrenalin, the two warships jigged and jagged and traded simulated weapons fire across the lurid Dilgar sky. All during the maneuvers, he felt his love's eyes on his back as she concentrated on the task at hand...*this* was a taste of what was to come...in more ways then they could understand. "Test complete." Tashann looked at the statistics, and nodded approvingly. "We have achieved our goal of..." A sudden, sharp chime broke the Minbari's words off. "Strange...a disturbance is detected, in system." Tashann's eye grew narrow. "The local jump gate has come online...a vessel of destroyer class has emerged." "Race?" "Neiphros." Jennie announced tersely. "They are active-sweeping the system, William...I think they've found us...they just jumped again." "The Crystal Star hails us, Val'na." "Let me speak to them." The curtain image split, and Varanel's face quickly appeared. "Your orders, Val'na?" "It would be...unwise of us to antogonize the Neiphros, and equally unwise of us to reveal the existence of the White Stars to the galaxy for now. Make ready to turn, and..." "We've got a jump point!" Talion exclaimed, and then, his face grew shocked. "In Valen's Name!...it's just about..." William hid his face as the shockingly close blue flare of the point spread into a vortex, and another warship emerged, less then fifty kilometres ahead of them... "Damnation!...didn't take them as long as I thought it would!" "Distances in hyperspace are often deceptive, as you well know, Val'na. However, and more importantly, their weapon systems are active, they are.." "Son of a..." "Firing!" Two, long orange beams reached out, and harmlessly struck off into space...a warning, then. The moment of shock that created lasted only a moment, and then, William turned, his eyes narrow. "I'm assuming that the captain of that destroyer has something to say us...I know the type...they *always* do." Talion nodded. "Online." A harsh, snarling guttural tongue filled the air..."Translating. Unknown alien agressors, this is the destroyer VEU'NERROGANT'A, of the Neiphros Alliance Warfleet. Your presence in this system is proof of your agression towards the Alliance, you will surrender your vessels at once, or be *destroyed*" William smiled. This was going to be the most interesting test of *all*. "Varanel...I'm just *guessing* that they don't know about our ace in the hole..." Varanel nodded...he knew *exactly* what William was talking about. "Follow my mark...maximum acceleration." William smiled again, half mockingly, half grimly. "One high speed pass over their ship, avoid their weapons, into their blind spot, and then into hyperspace from there." "We will follow your lead, Val'na. Do we fire on them in passing?" "*NEGATIVE*..do not engage." "Understood. Crystal Star *out*." "Is everyone ready?" William inquired, and looked around the bridge. Everyone seemed...eager...and believing. "Then...let's do it." In an instant measured in history, the White Star and Crystal Star went from near stationary to a blur of sudden movement. Missiles and fusion laser leapt out from the Neiphros destroyer, trying to acquire, but the Ranger vessels simply moved too *quickly* for that. In a sudden blast of speed, they passed beneath the range of the quickly(but not quickly enough) guns of the destroyer, low over its conning tower, and then down into the warm exhaust plume of the capital ship's fusion drive... "Now!..." William barked. "Jump engines online...and...JUMP!" It *almost* worked perfectly...but one firing crew on the Neiphros destroyer was all it took...and as the two Ranger vessels began the leap into hyperspace, a single set of interceptors homed in on the Crystal Star, and sheared off its port engine nacelle...the two ships, intact and lamed, carried by their momentum, flashed into hyperspace...and vanished. * * * Warleader V'nook'Savad shook his head savagely before turning to his First. "So. We had them in our sights, and they escaped. Impossible, I say!...how is it that ships THAT SMALL could possibly possess a jump drive?" "We will be made as fools in the eyes of the other Warleaders." his First tersely replied. "Perhaps it would be best if...we announced that nothing was discovered in this cursed system?" V'nook'Savad growled his irritation...and then, abruptly nodded. Better to save face then to admit that *this* had happened...no one would believe them...better to be silent. * * * In hyperspace... "You're sure?" "Quite sure, Val'na." Varanel replied, his image the image of discomfort. "The Weapon strike we received has created an imbalance in our drive systems. The design team has attempted to control it, but it is getting worse. This was not something we anticipated...and in less then six hours, at the present rate of deteriation, the drive system will reach critical, and detonate." "You can't shut it down?" Jennie inquired. "We could tow you back to Minbari space." "A prudent plan...but with the current instability, abandoning this vessel makes more sense." "Abandon? And what should happen if the Neiphros discover the Crystal Star before she explodes, Varanel??" Varanel gritted his teeth, and nodded. "I do not like it, Val'na, but you are correct. We must destroy this vessel, and return home onboard the White Star." William nodded. "Join us onboard, and we will do what needs to be done." * * * Chronicles Log, Interlude. The hardest order I'd ever given up to that point was the command to destroy the prototype upon which the White Star was based...damaged through an engagement that never should happened. How, in Valen's Name, did the Neiphros find out that we were there?...and, more importantly...from *who*? The possibilities anger me. However, the White Star has, by far, proven her worth in this incident, and no word of our encounter has arrived through the voices of the Rangers observing Neiphros space. Our supposition was correct; the preconceived notions of the Neiphros captain have kept our secrets...for now...and the White Star will shortly be commissoned at the first vessel to truly serve what is becoing an army...an Army, of Light. We cannot hope to have the same luck the next time, however. * * * Tuzanor...Dec 17th, 2259. "Fate does not appear to treat you kindly, William." Sinclair commented, as a small ice storm appeared over the mountains to the north, and drifted down towards the compound. The weather would shortly be taking a turn for the worse. "I try not to believe in fate, Entil'zha." William replied, as, overhead, the brilliant sun vanished into the clouds. "And prophecy is almost as bad. The Inquisitor taught us that." "The Inquisitor...I see." "What next would you have us do, Entil'zha?" Jennie inquired from nearby. Sinclair smiled. "Rest." "Entil'zha?" "Please...I *insist*. What should have been a simple deep-space test of the first White Star turned into what you endured. Enough: find yourselves a place to sit back, and relax...and at least, for a little while, forget about the War, and the Shadows. I won't deny you and William time to enjoy the coming holiday...you have something precious, and it shouldn't be ignored." "For how long, if I may ask, Entil'zha?" Sinclair leaned over, and whispered something in William's ear. William smiled. Jennie scowled. "Now...that's not fair!" "No...I guess not. But it is *fun*...and everyone should have a little fun once in a while." Sinclair watched them go, a smile almost touching his face, as well. * * * ***************************************************************************** Next: In search of a peaceful end to 2259, William and Jennifer arrive on Babylon 5, without all the usual extra baggage. What they find, of course, is something else entirely..(!)..the conclusion of "Destiny's Call", coming tomorrow. ***************************************************************************** <*> "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca From: "Mr. Ralden" Subject: Rimstalker, Destiny's Call, Part 13c Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 11:50:28 -0700 (MST) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII ***************************************************************************** RIMSTALKER, DESTINY'S CALL PART 13 "THE PEACE OF THE SWORD" PHASE III OF III **"It was the end of the Innocence...it was the point in which we realized that safety was measured by what defences you built for yourself. We came to this place looking for a moment of peace and transition between the fear and the horror of our existence. And it was at that point that we realized there was no turning back from what was, and that what would be had us firmly in its grasp. And that there would be no peace this side of the grave, until we did what needed to be done."** From "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and Other Responsibilities" * * * Dec 22nd, 2259...Tuzanor. Silent and inscrutable, Ulkesh stood before her, as always he had been...but not this time. "You *can't* expect me to do this!" she whispered fiercely. "We *promised* we would leave them be, let have their time together!" ##You would travel where no one may go. We require this of you, in order that the bargain be kept. *If* you would do this, your wishes are irrevelant. *They* must be protected...*They* must know what is coming. *He* has touched you.## "Damn *right* he has!" she hissed, turning at last to face the Vorlon fully. "*He* is not you, he is...gentler. He *knows* us, better then any of you, this I am now *sure* of." ##Your viewpoint is irrevelant, you do not understand. Serve us now, or not at all## At that, her defiance abruptly evaporated, and she bowed her head. The *need* burned within her...this wasn't *fair*!...but she had taken that first fateful step...and there was *no* going back...not now. "I...understand, Ulkesh. You know what the answer to that must be." ##Yes## * * * Outer Earth Alliance...near Deneb IV...Dec 23rd, 2259... The two enormous Omega Class Destroyers hung in space together, the rumble of their drives temporarily silenced. The vessels were, for now, nothing special, but that would, in due course, change considerably...for one was Bethany Tikopai's command, the NIOBE...and the other... General William's Hague's flagship...the ALEXANDER. * * * The device was placed on the desk and activated. Sad to see, in this day and age, that even her own crew couldn't be trusted with this knowledge...but that was the way things were. And 'things' were only going to get worse from here on in... "You know what is coming, Captain...don't you?" Bethany Tikopai nodded grimly. "Yes, sir. I don't have to like it, but it's clear enough to see from the reports coming from home through the network. Nightwatch and the Ministry of Peace are tightening their hold on the Earth Alliance...and sooner or later, someone or something is going to push President Clark over the edge of democracy and into the hell of Dictatorship. He believes that no one and nobody can stand against him, and as long as he continues to believe that, he *will* make his move." "Precisely; but it's equally necessary for us to make a beginning against that fate. You are far from the first I have contacted, Captain...and I only wish I could have started this sooner...but it was too dangerous to move quickly...we would have been discovered, and then all would have been lost. It is likely that we will be unable to stop him and his followers when they do move...but it is a *beginning*...and even if I do not survive what is coming, there are those behind and below who will take my place...I hope that you, Captain, will be one such when the time comes." "I thank you for that trust, sir." "Don't thank me yet, Captain, some of the things we will be required to do will hurt us to the core before this is over." She nodded, even more grimly then before. "Captain; can your command staff be trusted with this information, and this trust?" "I assure you, sir, that they'll be no problems on that score." * * * NIOBE...the office of Dr. Mariallah Quesotz... The cold certainty of facts were a harsh enough pill for Mariallah to accept, but what was worse was that those self-same facts only served to confirm something that she had known about all along. William and Walther had most likely seen their careers destroyed by this conspiracy of darkness, and then they had vanished...and *what* if *they* had known about the attacks on Nighthawk all *along*?...what if Jennifer, her friend, had *died* as a result of that plotting? Commander Dietrich Alwhin, NIOBE's clean-cut, severe first officer, gazed at her levelly, while nearby, Lieutenant Commander Paul Telluride, the destroyer's fighter group commander, lounged against the nearby wall nonchalantly. *They* had known about this for some time now...but she had been *new*, and therefore, despite her position in the warship command structure, *untrustable*...until she had proven her worth, both in the discovery of the conspiracy of 'light' onboard, *and*, more importantly, her response to that discovery... "Sir; again, I thank you for your trust in me." Commander Alwhin nodded thoughtfully. "It's a long step to take from knowing about something to acceptance of the facts...and a longer step *still* to actively *think* about doing something about the problem, Doctor...but now, you must understand that's where we going to be heading if President Clark and his men do what General Hague suspects they will. And now, we KNOW that President Santiago's death was *not* an accident, we must act accordingly...even should it come down to what our superiors would call..treason. We *must* do what is right, we can do no other." "Yes, sir." Commander Alwhin nodded in satisfaction, and then left her office. "You made the right decision, Mariallah..." Paul Telluride remarked from nearby, his eyes downcast and now, showing again the anger she had seen before. "To *know* that someone I cared for, someone we both counted as friends or *better*, might have been killed as a result of these bastards... it's unacceptable. I joined the Force because of Jennie's determination to do right on her father's memory...became a Starfury pilot and kept in touch...and then she died...for no reason at all." Mariallah nodded somberly. Over a year it had been now since the disaster at Nighthawk, and the pain was still as fresh, for both of them. "If only for her memory, Paul, we have to follow this thing...to the bitter end." "Agreed. Will you take a drink with me to her memory at New Year's, Mariallah?" She smiled. "As a shining star of memory against the darkness to come. You need to ask?" * * * Dec 25th, 2259...Babylon 5...the Ranger Command Post; very early morning... "And to think..." William muttered, hands behind his back, "That we came here looking for peace, to find this *instead*" Tharvonn, one of several Minbari Val'na working under Ambassador Delenn, and a trainee from their own time on Minbar, nodded his head in agreement. "I regret that your 'vacation' from duties has been cut short. Matters are now tenser then they have *ever* been in this place, and word has come down from the Ambassador that all Anla'shok on Babylon 5 must assume a full state of alert. We must be ready for anything, and are called upon to act in the moment of need." "Agreed. I only regret that my Rangers are not with me." "The Entil'zha, Ambassador Delenn, and the Vorlons have acted to solve that problem. Your cadre is approaching at all speed...and should arrive, Valen willing, onboard within the next twenty standard hours." "I am pleased to hear that, Tharvonn. In that case, any concerns I do have are unimportant, and for now, Anla'shok Clifford and myself will serve with your team, until ours arrives." Tharvonn nodded. "So let it be." Jennie stood aside, deep in thought, and gazed, with her mind's eye, out beyond the limb of Epsilon Three, to where the danger waited. The exiled, heavily damaged Narn Warcruiser *G'tok* hung alone, unprotected by anything but its secrecy...but would that last? * * * Dec 26th, 2259... The alert sirens woke her first, after having been awake for more hours then she would have liked, kept alert by the stress, the horrible feeling that something *bad* was about to happen...then, the harsh shaking bought her into focus, and she gazed into Brianna's vivid eyes...eyes now of fire... "Jennifer...get up...you have to get up *now*. A Centauri battlecruiser just jumped into the system, and Babylon 5's squadrons are in close combat with the battlecruiser right *now*" She jumped, as the distant thunder of countermeasures fire shook the station. "In Valen's name...would the Centauri go so far as to fire on *this* place?" "I know not." And then, the world shook around them... * * * "Access to exterior cameras accepted." Tharvonn reported tensely. William nodded, while sirens wailed all around. The station security officer had been most accomadating in allowing them access to exterior views of threatening situations...when all other exterior areas of view became blocked off with blast shields, this was the Ranger's only access to the situations outside...they had used it first during the Narn-Centauri firefight months before, and now... "They wouldn't *dare*" someone whispered behind, and William prayed that would be the case. The Centauri couldn't be *stupid* enough to fire on their own people... Could they? Abruptly, dozens of missiles leapt from the battlecruiser, towards the Narn vessel...and the station, as well...and William cursed. It was the end of the final hope...and he bowed his head as first the station countermeasures, and then the Starfury squadron protecting the Narn warship responded... "Brace yourself!" Tharvonn cried, and William shakily focussed on the viewscreen once more. The battlecruiser's fire continued unabated, even through the attacks it was withstanding from the Starfuries, and some were getting through... The station *shuddered*...hard...and sirens wailed louder. The Centauri missiles had impacted on the forward pylons...but that was as much as they would do, as rather abruptly, the thunder of the station's exterior weaponry added to the miasma of noise, and William watched, now in horror, as repeated, enormous bolts of plasma hit the doomed cruiser. He did not watch what inevitably followed...and then, Tharvonn cut the link. The Rangers were silent, each lost in his or her own fears and beliefs, lost in his or her own thoughts. It had happened at last...those who had believed this place invulnerable to the spreading darkness had been proven wrong...night had finally come to Babylon 5. * * * The Garden...Revelation Hour; "Apology?" Jennie exclaimed, as the cadre, as one, moved through and around the buildings near to the gathering of Ambassadors and other respected guests that had convened to hear Captain Sheridan attempt just that. "I don't believe it...it won't work." "The mission of this place has failed." Talion somberly added from behind. "I cannot help but agree with you." "Enough morosity!" William snapped. "The Ambassador has asked us to form a perimeter around the gathering location...an invisible, but necessary barrier, for in the case that the Centauri decide to take revenge for the destruction of their vessel, the Rangers must be ready to respond to such a threat...and so, we stand, in the name of the One, to protect the future." "Do you know something we don't...Val'na?" William smiled. Tashann abruptly turned towards his leader. "Val'na...the Ranger stationed on the core shuttle line has reported that Captain Sheridan is enroute, and will shortly be arriving. He..." The detonation was loud...shockingly loud, and as one, the Rangers looked up...and into a nightmare. Far above, the core shuttle was...gone!.. and the dissipating glow of a plasma wave expanded away from the twisted wreckage it had been. There was an instant of shocked silence, and then... "No!...it cannot..." "He's dead, he's..." "Observe!" Dreann snapped, bringing the cadre back into focus. "A figure falls!" "They'll never be able to reach him in time!" Jennie whispered, her eyes wide with horror. And it was so...a figure of a man, tiny against the background of sky, buildings and landscape, falling towards them. But it was futile, nontheless, William knew with certainty...John Sheridan, his contact, his comrade in battle against the darkness, was falling towards a spinning surface that would kill him as surely as the explosion had... And then...it was almost as if compulsion turned them...towards their comrade...their friend, who they saved from madness...and now Brianna's pupils were so wide, it was like looking into black holes. "The sacrifice will be made." she whispered. "The bargain is agreed to." "In *Valen's* Name!" Talion cried, his eyes wide with amazement. "It *Cannot* be!" But it was, and the cadre watched, and amazement passed into...something more...as a figure of *light* rose towards the falling commander of the place that hung all around them in a cycle of majesty and grandeur; caught him...and stopped his fall. "And an angel to watch over me..." Jennie whispered. "And save me from the ills of the world." "You do not understand." Brianna whispered, as the two figures, light and man, sank out of sight, to safety...to the ground. "But you will." * * * Chronicles Log...2259...final entry. You do not understand...but you will. In that one line, Brianna Tolmanes explained the year in passing...a year in which we went from an age of Innocence to a burden of knowledge...from a crisis of destiny to a force of purpose, and into a hurricane we cannot hope to avoid...for the Wars are upon us, Wars of Chaos, wars of temptation, wars of greed, and all around, the darkness draws close. But we are Rangers, in body, in mind and in soul, and we will hold the line, both at this place and anywhere else the matters, even unto death. We have no other choice, and if the love I hold most dear is to survive what is to come, no other option. * * * They call me the Observer...ironic how that works, isn't it? Watcher in the Woods, keeper of the chronicles...of those damned and destined. Accomplice to giants, recorder of greatness, and served by and servant of a love I have never deserved but need now, more then ever before, to keep me sane against what is yet to come. For what I have seen, the tragedy, the darkness, the death of the year just past, is as nothing to what is coming... * * * Who are you?...I was a lost soul, and then a damned soul. I have murdered, and maimed, and it seems that the penance I serve will last forever. I stand apart, and lead the followers into the Fire that is coming. I spin and live in the Light, and now, I go into that light. The stars beckon me onwards, even though those who take me do not understand. None of them understand, none of them *can* know what I know. And that is the way it must be...for now. But the time will come when the vanguards of might clash, and the final struggle is at hand...and then, only then, will the Truth be known. Perhaps, then, I will be set free at last... * * * Once I held their comradeship dear, but call me a traitor if you so wish, I have made the choices I did because I saw that they were right. I look down on a vision of darkness, and see the future in their eyes. It is inevitable, it cannot be stopped, as they will realize in due course. The Lords of Order hold onto the present, but those I serve do what they do in the name of the future, in the name of change. And once everyone understands what I do, their triumph will be *complete*... * * * **"Through darkness and through fire, behold the Three in One...of many, and of none. Stand with us, we said, stand and look into night. Broken dreams, they said, dreams of peace, dreams of sadness. Know this well, we said, rage unyielding, hope denying. In the light of the Blessed One, see the Searcher, feel his gaze. In the march of his soldiers, fear the Light, darkess banish. For the cause of his angel, die he will, and live again. Know him well. In the arms of the Wise One, see the Watcher, feel her loss. For need of knowledge, she faced the fire, and stands apart. Light of silver, she wields with skill, against the foe. Know her well. Last of all, there comes the Guide...vision dreamer, hidden gaze; Lords of Order, she serves as well. Not alone, but harder still, then she of Fire, the First of All. Into darkness, she travels freely, knowing still, there is a hope. Place of peace, the final bastion, there they go, to hold the Line. Three in One, but not alone, never farther, then the heights; There they see the Three in One, first of all, the Lantern Bearers."** - From one of the more obscure sections of the Book of The Observer, as published in the 33th Century, Earth Reckoning * * * ***************************************************************************** Thus ends the second cycle of the Rimstalker Arc...and regretfully, my university account is about to find its way into the cybertrashcan...degrees ending do that to you, or so I've heard. But are we finished, ladies and gentlemen? Not in the slightest. All it will take is a computer, a phone line and a modem...and then... ******************************************************************************* It is the Earth Year 2260, and while the Shadow War draws ever nearer, the struggle continues to assemble a force sufficient to face the might of this apparently implacable enemy. William Westcastle, Rimstalker, Ranger and Warrior, along with his companions, comrades and love, will travel farther into the Fire then ever before in the name of their beliefs. Babylon 5's mission may have failed, but a new mission awaits, not just for the long suffering crew of that station, but for the Rangers as well...a mission of purpose, and of hope...that task?...to build what will later be called the Army of Light...and strike forth against the foe... RIMSTALKER III: DARK CIRCLE...coming to a computer screen, near you, sometime early in 1998(promise!) **************************************************************************** <*> "Mr Ralden" at dgg@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca