From: David Goldingay Subject: STAR AND CIRCLE: "The Seeker's Fire", Episode 16, Overture Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 10:52:14 -0600 Note to readers -- if any of you are wondering why the stuff in this episode doesn't match up to the recently published jms CRUSADE scripts on bookface.com... there's a real good reason for that -- we're not allowed to use them as info. As such, it was up to me to come up with an *alternate* explanation for those nasty black ships with long arms that Gideon's wants to track down so badly. Read on... * * * Captain's Log, Earth Alliance Starship *Excalibur* -- Sept 4th, 2267. Everyone has secrets -- I have, Galen has... Hell, even John has. Secrets can save your life, if you're lucky... and they can also do a great job of putting you in a hole in a ground, if you're not. While today, I learned that there was one more secret in the universe... and also, that we're definitely not alone out here. The thing is... I'm beginning to realize that someone may be keeping a tab on our progress as we continue on our hunt for the cure to the Drakh plague... and once in a while, it appears as if that 'someone' has been stepping in on our behalf. The only questions that need answering now are these: Who are they... what do they want... And who do they serve? * * * Captain Matthew Gideon of the Starship *Excalibur* looked up from the old novel he was reading to see the now-familiar icon that warned of a message incoming to his station -- a message coded to him and him alone. Gideon had long since learned that this was necessary, once in a while... and now more so than ever. After a moment he gave the computer his personal password -- and nodded grimly as a face familiar to him appeared on the screen. "Mendez -- so, were you able to travel through the sectors I was interested in? Did you take a look?" "Yeah, I did." the other man replied after a moment. "Damn it, Gideon, I haven't seen anything like it since the Civil War, six years ago -- and all things considered, we were lucky that we found anything at all. A lot of the debris had drifted down the incline away from the beacon track and vanished -- but there was still a cloud of little stuff there, even weeks after the battle had happened. Something tore apart a squadron of Drakh warships in that sector -- did it so easily the Drakh didn't have a chance." "Any idea what the timing of that destruction was?" Gideon asked, keeping his tone casual. "And where they were going?" "Yeah, just like you figured -- near as we can tell, they were destroyed right around the time as that other group of Drakh were attacking you -- and as to where they were going, naah, I don't have a clue... sorry." "Don't suppose it matters, really..." Gideon mused. "You've told me what I needed to know. Thanks." "Hey, no problem -- if there's anything else you want..." "I'll call." And then it was, even as the perplexed face of the information merchant faded from the screen that Gideon turned towards the place in his quarters that he kept... it. "I don't suppose you have anything to add?" The apocalypse box was silent - but it, too, would have something to say, soon enough. And then? Then everything would change. * * * Elsewhere on the *Excalibur*, a man in black opened his eyes, and nodded. "You're getting closer, Matthew..." Galen observed. "The question is, are you ready for the truth?" The Technomage sighed -- so soon after putting Tikopai through her test with the various Drakh factions, was he now to be witness to another test?... one that might determine, once and for all, where this mission would lead him -- as well as that of the Rangers that were guarding the *Excalibur* and her crew? "Oh, well - I suppose we will learn the answer to that question soon enough." * * * Interstellar Alliance Starship 'Shard of Night' -- on patrol in Sector 23, 147x14x117. 11:41 hrs, Earth Standard Time. "Another day, another credit." Courtney Ellis muttered, as she knelt and looked up into the bowels of one of Deck Seven's secondary computer consoles, and the maze of crystalline cables that was waiting there . "And yah, another systems check." "Tell me, Ellis, do you ever stop complaining?" Ellis's eyes narrowed as a tall, swarthy figure in black came to view by her right elbow -- Azhahk Fenric, a Ranger of Arabian origins who'd been placed in charge of the *Shard*'s fighter arsenal by the High Council, almost nine months before. "Oh c'mon, Fenric, gimme a break! -- it wouldn't be so bad if I could even find a place to spend my hard earned Alliance credits from time to time... but no, every time it even *looks* like we're going to get some shore leave, a crisis happens and off we go again to the ends of the universe with Little Miss..." Fenric wagged one finger in warning, his expression stern, and an only slightly mollified Ellis fell silent. "Now, now, Miss Ellis -- you should know better than that. How many battles has she won since we've begun this mission? How many enemies have we defeated, while under her command?" "All I've got to say is that she must have swallowed a lucky horseshoe, or something. I mean, the *Shard*'s a great ship and all, but come on -- what about that time we were thrown outside the Galaxy and a SHADOW appeared on the bridge? Did we die then? Hell, no! Instead, the Shadow and his buddies actually helps us, right?" "As highly unlikely as it sounds to you and I," Fenric guardedly agreed, "That is the truth of the matter, and that *is* the way it happened." "Which just proves my point!" Ellis retorted. "The law of statistics says we should lose a battle once in a while..." Which was, of course, when the strident chime summoning the ship's Rangers to combat stations sounded -- and Fenric laughed as the other Ranger's face fell. "Oh no... not again!" "Yes, again." Fenric replied, as they hurried to action stations. "Now I wonder who's she's managed to annoy this time." * * * "Do you want to run that by me *again*?" Julia exclaimed, as she and Klairika approached the bridge of the *Shard of Night* at speed. "You didn't say 'swarm', did you?" "I did indeed." the Brakiri replied, her expression showing exactly how amused she was by this latest report -- which was not at all. "At exactly 07:14 hrs this day, Earth Standard Time, White Star 117 received a distress signal from a Narn explorer division in Sector 975, a signal that seemed to indicate they had come under attack by a vessel of unknown configuration -- but apparently *known* characteristics. They claimed they were being attacked by a Shadow vessel, Julia -- and that was when the message ended." "Damnit!" Both she and Klairika were, of course, familiar with the backstory behind the first appearance of the mysterious dark 'swarm' of Shadow-creatures that had assaulted Lumati space over four years before -- and every Ranger commander in the field had in his or her possession a crystal containing orders from Entil'zha Delenn and the rest of the High Council, stating in exacting terms how they were to deal with the return of those creatures... and most especially what would have to be done if the swarm warriors proved to be as beligerent as they had the first time around. "This is happening a *lot* more quickly then we've been expecting. Because if this is the first in a new series of attacks by the Swarm..." "Then they're breeding much more quickly then the Sha'vei'e guessed they might." Klairika observed. "In any case, the High Council and President Sheridan have asked us to divert from our patrol pattern near the *Excalibur* to check this out..." "For the same reason as always." Julia replied, her eyes narrow with intent as she and Klairika arrived on the bridge to take their stations... what was it that William had said a few days before in his lecture following the incident with the Drakh? 'Try and stay out of trouble?' She'd been right, of course, in saying what she'd said -- as usual, trouble had come looking for them. Typical... absolutely typical. "The one and only time the White Star Fleet's engaged those things, they defeated them with relative ease -- but if there's more of them in the attacking swarm then there was before, a ship with greater offensive firepower may be needed to take care of the problem." "And within the Ranger fleet, we are the only *fully* operational ship of the line with such characteristics." Klairika said, as Julia settled into her chair on the bridge, her cloak of station draped over each knee. "As such..." "As such, we have our orders, and I guess it's time we followed them. Dasouri..." "Val'na!" the Drazi barked, his fingers hanging ready over the controls. "Set course for Sector 975." she ordered. "If we're right about this, it looks like the shadow-swarm's forgotten why you don't attack an Interstellar Alliance explorer division. I think it's time we reminded them." "Setting course." Dasouri replied, as under his capable hands, the *Shard of Night* whirled around in space, its jump engines already bringing the entry point into hyperspace into being. And a moment later, the battlecruiser leapt through that portal at speed, its course set to bring it to its destination... * * * A destination filled with scraps of metal and other less identifiable debris -- all that remained of the group of Narn ships that had been unlucky enough to encounter the other ship that happened to be in the sector. A ship which, even now, continued to hover in the destruction it had wrought. A ship of darkness, with many long straight arms. And in that darkness, a voice spoke and another answered -- even as the ship turned away from the wreckage, and readied itself for the struggle ahead. "They're coming, aren't they?" "Yessss." "Both of them?" Silence. "I see -- you have your orders, then... as I have mine -- let them come. Let this latest test of our resources... progress. And when that happens..." "Yessss?" A complacent smile. "If all goes as planned, there is every chance that you will get the chance to deal with Tikopai and her upstart Rangers... Personally." * * * [Cue Dramatic Music] KLAIRIKA ALIDIAE We are the Watchers... [Klairika standing on the bridge of the SHARD OF NIGHT, an image of the EXCALIBUR hanging in the air in front of her.] SHEYNELL KEYNES We are the Warriors. [Images: Sheynell at the tactical station, the battlecruiser firing its main gun and destroying a Drakh capital ship] LARIEKEN We are the Guardians... [Image: Larieken defending his Captain against Z'shailyl attackers, warrior pike in hand] VEYSHAHK We are the Healers. [Image: Veyshahk at his desk in MedSection, an image of the Drakh virus on his computer screen.] DASOURI and NICHOLAS DAWSON We are the exiles... [Image: Nicholas in Engineering, Dasouri at the helm of the SHARD] JULIA TIKOPAI And I am the Seeker. [Image: Julia's face, lit by candles, the stars of the Galaxy beyond] KLAIRIKA ALIDIAE We are the Rangers of the SHARD OF NIGHT, in this, the Earth Year 2267. [Image: The SHARD OF NIGHT enters, from the left...] JULIA TIKOPAI This is our story. [... before engaging darklight mode, and going into hyperspace.] * * * STAR AND CIRCLE: “THE SEEKER’S FIRE” * * * ‘STAR AND CIRCLE’ created by David Goldingay Legal Disclaimer: BABYLON 5, CRUSADE and all characters and situations thereof are the creations and copyrighted property of J. Michael Straczynski and Babylonian Productions. This series is a non-profit creation for the purposes of private entertainment only. Original characters and situations are copyright of the author, 1997-2000. * * * Coming soon: Act I of Episode 16: "The Few and Far Between" http://www.connect.ab.ca/~dgolding/star_circle.html From: David Goldingay Subject: STAR AND CIRCLE: "The Seeker's Fire", Episode 16, Act I Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 17:21:09 -0600 Author's Note -- this one, more than any of the fifteen episodes that have preceded it, will begin to turn the story of S&C on its head -- for instance, the B-plot of the episode takes place completely on some ship named... *Excalibur*? * * * "STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE" EPISODE SIXTEEN: "THE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN" 'Featuring' MEREDITH MONROE as Courtney Ellis SAID TAGHMAOUI as Azhahk Fenric JASON PRIESTLEY as Nathan Gardinier MEGAN WARD as Rebecca Anderson GARY COLE as Captain Matthew Gideon DANIEL DAE KIM as Lieutenant John Matheson PETER WOODWARD as Galen with, RUTGER HAUER as Guttricht Haaker BRUCE BOXLEITNER as President John Sheridan and WILLIAM B. DAVIS as Prein (disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture) * * * <> A long time ago, before plagues were unleashed, in an age when the darkness of the Shadows looked set to overcome the galaxy, my father wrote me a letter... my *Dad*, Malcolm Ellis, who joined the Anla'shok when the White Stars were only a dream yet to be realized. And in that one small letter, he tried to explain it all to me, why he'd left his job for FutureCorp and gone to Minbar... and who the enemy really was. Even for the starry-eyed eleven year old I was at the time, it was a lot to take in, and when *mother* found out... well! But just like with Pandora opening her box, once the secret was out, that was it -- there was no going back. And wouldn't you know it? -- the day came when I looked up into the night sky and swore I'd follow him in everything he'd done -- to help save the galaxy, on the side of... Light. Dad, of course, later went on to command a full battle triad under High Councillor Westcastle back when 'our' Rimstalker was still the Sha'vei of the Fleet. He survived all the battles, even Corianna VI... for which my mother was eternally grateful, even *though* she still hasn't forgiven him for leaving her even as Clark was slamming the proverbial door at the edge of Earth-sys... and now he's serving as the latest adjutant to the High Councillor, back in Tuzanor -- now that was a place that took some getting used to when Mom and I arrived! And yah, the day finally came when I followed through on my vow, even though at the time it looked like the galaxy was breaking out with a serious case of peace. And then, of course, the Drakh decided to go on the warpath and nine different kinds of Hell broke loose -- and the head honchos in ISA HQ decided to throw me, in the words of our esteemed President, 'straight into the heart of the fire.' And now, I never know from one moment to the next whether I'm going to see the end of the tale, or not... * * * Interstellar Alliance Starship *Shard of Night* -- in hyperspace, approaching Sector 975. 15:57 hrs, EST -- Sept 4th, 2267. "Tactical, our status if you please." Courtney Ellis cleared her throat nervously as she noted the anticipatory note in her captain's voice, and then shuddered as she briefly glanced in the direction of the slim, dark-haired and often fiery-eyed Ranger who sat in the *Shard of Night*'s captain's chair from her duty station in the bridge's rear hemisphere. There were a lot of days when Julia Tikopai gave Courtney a bad case of the creeps -- there were, after all, those rumours going around that the captain wasn't any older in *real* years then she was, that Tikopai had been born just before (or was it after?) the Battle of the Line --and also that it had been the *Vorlons* who were responsible for her present-day mid twenties appearance. But one thing Courtney had learned the hard way was when her Val'na got that note in her voice, the best thing was to your job quietly and *not* get in her way. "The whiskers confirm that there aren't any Drakh warships in the area... or anything else, for that matter." Now there was another Ranger who gave her chills -- Sheynell Keynes, one of the few *telepathic* members of the Anla'shok, and a P12 at that. "Nevertheless, the main gun and all our secondary batteries stand ready for action." "If the reports are accurate, Anla'shok Keynes, we may yet have to use those weapons." the *Shard*'s first officer remarked. "Val'na?..." "Well, I don't suppose there's any point of putting this off any longer -- bring the forward jump engines on line... Dasouri, take us in." Courtney tensed up as the now-familiar rumble of the *Shard*'s main drive edged up another notch, and the rippling white-and-blue maw of a jump point tore open in front of them. This, of course, was the moment when any warship, even the *Shard* was vulnerable to attack -- but to her relief, this transition, like so many of the others they'd undertaken so far, was relatively painless -- 'Relatively', of course, was defined as the fact that even now, after going through it as often as she'd had on this tour of duty, jump transition *still* left her a little queasy at times. And then a moment later, the hull of the battlecruiser shimmered over from its regular mix of silver and dark grey to midnight black... not a bad idea, Courtney considered... because if the Swarm *had* come back, it would be better to see them before they could see you. "Damn, but there's a *lot* of debris out there." Nicholas Dawson remarked from behind. "Captain, whatever tore into those Narn ships didn't leave much behind." "That is confirmed." Courtney perked her ears up -- when the battlecruiser's operations offficer spoke up, it usually paid to listen. "While the debris field is comparable in mass to the ships listed as being part of the explorer group. It would, however, be a mistake to assume that *no* one survived the attack." "Exactly, Larieken -- if even *one* lifepod got away from the ships and their attackers before they were destroyed, there's a chance we might be able to confirm the identity of the attackers. I'd like you to coordinate with Mr. Dawson on the search for those pods." "Val'na..." "Klairika, you have something to add?" "There is also a marginally inhabitable world within range of the debris field -- there may be a chance that a pod may have landed somewhere on the surface." "Anla'shok Fenric." Almost immediately, a hologram of the ship's fighter group leader shimmered into view. "Captain?" "I want you to lead a team down to the planet's surface to look for survivors." "As you say." the rugged Arabian Ranger politely replied. "May I assume, Captain, that you would like several of my pilots to stay behind and guard your command?" "Sounds like a good plan to me -- why don't you take three fighters with you as well as a transport? Your choice of Rangers as crew, of course." "Thank you, Captain -- we'll be getting underway shortly." And that was when, even as Fenric's face faded from view, that the comm crystal at Courtney's station began calling out its -summons- signal... and that chime pattern told her everything she needed to know... Azhahk just *loved* giving her a hard time, and that included dragging her to some of the weirdest places she'd ever seen... like that wrecked Vree saucer they'd boarded just after leaving Minbar back at the start of the mission, for instance. "Hey, Ellis! " Courtney turned as Aaron Carter, another of the junior Rangers onboard, came to her side. "I'll take your station -- get going, before the captain gives you a piece of her mind." "Thanks, Aaron..." she jauntily replied as she headed for the main bridge exit. "I'll see you later, 'kay?" * * * The *Excalibur*. 16:03 hrs, EST. "Okay, Captain," John Matheson began as he came through the door of the *Excalibur*'s conference room, "Here I am. Now... are you going to tell me what's on your mind, or am I going to have to drag it out of you piecemeal?" "Is that a threat, Lieutenant?" Matthew Gideon inquired, his tone deceptively casual. "Or a promise?" "Well, that all depends on the topic of discussion. Which is..." "Something interesting and possibly dangerous -- which is the reason I've invited no one else to this meeting, not Max, not Dureena... and *definitely* not Galen." Gideon took a deep breath, and then began. "Over the past several months, I've been gathering some clues -- backing away and trying to see the big picture, even as we've been bouncing from world to world looking for a cure to the plague. And the thing is, Lieutenant... I think I'm starting to see a pattern forming around us, a pattern that's pointing towards something I don't like... not one damn bit." "*Please* tell me we're not talking about a conspiracy. I *hate* conspiracies." "It might be... but if it is, it's one at the very highest levels of Interstellar Alliance command." "Sounds interesting, *if* it's true." "Right now, John, I'd much rather prefer it wasn't, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Right around the same time Franklin and that Senator were on board -- on the same mission when that fleet of Drakh ships jumped us... something happened out there -- something important. It looks as if there was another fleet of Drakh ships, or maybe *more* than one, on their way over to make our lives even more miserable... except something was waiting for them - something that ripped through those ships like they weren't even there... something that apparently left the field of battle without suffering any damage of its own." "Okay, let me see if I've got this straight..." Matheson finally replied. "You think that some mysterious ship or ships destroyed this second Drakh fleet -- and that the battle was so one sided that none of the 'friendlies' were even touched?" Gideon nodded. "Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, sir... but who likes us enough to do such a thing?" "That's a damn good question... but what *if* 'like' doesn't have anything to do with it?" Gideon challenged. "What if Sheridan's assigned some sort of crack unit to keep tabs on us, to make sure we don't get too deeply into trouble? After all, a lot of people have said that we're just 'one ship in a galaxy of enemies'..." "I'm not so sure I like where you're going with this, Captain." Matheson replied, his tone now wary. "If this is true -- are you implying that the President doesn't think we're capable of protecting ourselves?" "No, I'm not saying that... not yet, not until we can gather some more concrete evidence, one way or the other, on whether I'm right about this or not. But if I am..." "You're not going to be happy." "Damn straight, I'm not!" Gideon suddenly snapped, his anger now come to the surface. "Here we are, the crew of the most powerful ship ever built by the Alliance, with a chance that someone, be it Sheridan, his Advisory Council or someone else entirely, thinks that *we* still needs babysitting. I won't stand for it, John... I will *not* stand for it." "One other thing..." Matheson replied after a long, long moment. "If you are right, and there *is* someone following us -- what happens if we ever run into the warship that attacked the destroyer you used to serve on... we get into a fight, and this 'protector' ship intervenes on our behalf?" "If they show up," Gideon ground out, "We fire a shot across the son of a bitch's bow, and we get some answers, John. We get... some answers." "Understood, Captain. Now, if there's nothing else?" "Carry on, Lieutenant." And then Gideon allowed himself a smile, even as his first officer returned to his duties. The sooner everyone realized that he and his crew could take of themselves... the better. * * * Elsewhere on the *Excalibur*, a green light flickered in Gideon's quarters, a light that no one could see -- but the light was there, just the same. The object that some called 'the apocalypse box' was remembering things to come -- and seeing convergences in the pattern -- including the one that would change everything. The ones He saught and the ones He needed to find... they were out there. They were coming. Very soon now. * * * The fog-wrapped world they were approaching looked, Courtney mused, like it come straight from Hell... so close to its dim orange sun that the dwarf star was over twice as wide as the Sun was from Earth -- covered in lava flows and shaken by one too many Richter Eight earthquakes for her peace of mind, if the planetwide rifts were anything to go by. "If anyone's fallen into that mess," she muttered, "They're done for." "It is, I fear, too early to make that particular judgement call." the transport's co-pilot, Shein, replied. Shein, of course, hailed from the same Worker clan as Satai Kats of the Grey Council, a matter that the young Minbari Ranger was known to go on and on about, being quite proud of her cousin and the... status of their clan. Courtney, of course, thought that Shein was just snooty and full of airs. "We have not as yet even conducted a proper search." "Yeah?... well so what? In case you've forgotten, Shein -- the ship or ships that did this to the Narns are still out there, and if they come back while we're searching and the *Shard* gets tied up in the battle, we just might be sitting ducks down here." "Sitting... ducks?" Shein replied with a puzzled frown. "Forgive me for asking..." "Enough!" Azhahk Fenric finally barked from his seat behind his two bickering colleagues. "Anla'shok, we have a job to do, here -- kindly save the verbal jousting for later on, once we're safely back onboard *Anshaka'dal*." "Yes, sir!" Courtney managed. "Gladly, sir..." she muttered under her breath, so Shein couldn't hear. Which was, of course, when the faint -ping- of a distress beacon became audible. "Holy smoke... there it is!" "Well done, Miss Ellis." Fenric declared. "Hmm... well that didn't take nearly as long as I'd feared it would. Explorer Prime to Command, do you copy?" "Reading you loud and clear." the voice of the *Shard*'s captain came back to them a moment later. "Have you found a pod, Mr. Fenric?" "We've picked up a beacon signal, Captain... more than that I cannot say until we've investigated the site." Fenric replied, even as the transport and its fighter cover headed lower into the atmosphere. "Estimate that it will take us approximately fifteen minutes to reach the crash site..." And *that* was when everything suddenly went straight to Hell. * * * In the more than hundred years that had passed since Mankind had been given jump technology by the Centauri, a great many things had been said about the places they had seen and the events they had witnessed... while a number of analogies had also been made as well by humans trying to understand things they had never seen before. One such was hyperspace -- and a popular analogy in the early years of EA galactic exploration had been to consider hyperspace as a unknown sea where dangers lurked around every corner. Unfortunately, that analogy was now about to come back and bite the hand that had created it, as a small swarm of shimmery black ships suddenly 'surfaced' from out of the hyperspace murk. And even as the sensor drones that made up the 'Shard of Night's whisker network noted this sudden change in the pattern, the swarm's outrider fighters came upon those drones from behind... And obliterated them. * * * "What the *Hell*?" Dawson exclaimed, even as the rest of the Rangers on the bridge of the *Shard* prepared for battle. "I don't believe it -- how did they..." "Mr. Dawson... what's happened?" "The drones barely registered the presence of those hostiles when they were destroyed..." the engineer reported, his voice tense. "Let me be honest with you, Captain -- the drones use almost the same stealth technology that we do -- and those ships saw them immediately, tracked them down..." "And blew them into tiny little pieces." Sheynell finished for him. "In Valen's Name -- if they could see the drones..." "They might be able to see us, as well." Julia quickly acknowleged, even as a stab of fear suddenly passed through her... and also a memory of Galen's warning from a few days before -- that she wasn't indestructible, and neither was her ship. "If so, we may have just lost our greatest tactical advantage." "Jump points forming -- both behind us *and* between us and the planet." Klairika warned. "We've got at least *three* cruiser-class warships coming out of hyperspace, with fighters accompanying." "Show me." Julia rose to her feet then as the image came into existence before her -- of an angular black warship with *many* long tapered arms, its shimmery black skin all but screaming of the use of Shadow technology. "Have they seen us yet?" "It doesn't look like it... hold!" There was a pause, then Sheynell spoke again, and said the words that none of the Rangers wanted to hear. "Both fighter swarms have just turned towards our position, and the warship behind us has done the same. I think... they've seen us." "And if they can see us..." Klairika replied, "Then they can most *assuredly* fire on us. We are only one ship, Val'na... while they are many." This didn't make any sense -- the Drakh hadn't been able to see them any of the times they'd gone against them, but now *these* enemies could? And who were they, for that matter? That was not the most important consideration, however -- had someone betrayed them from within? *Had* someone given the masters of those dark ships the means by which to find them? "Klairika -- can we reach our team on the surface before those ships reach firing range?" "Not without revealing our position to them." the 'Shard's first officer replied, her tone grim. "We would have to engage at least one of their squadrons and most likely at least one of the cruisers as well, in order to recover our away team. And as we do not, for the time being at least, know exactly how powerful their weapons are..." "So you're advocating retreat, is that it?" Julia exclaimed, even as the rest of the Rangers around her held their breath and waited to see what would come next. "You think we should leave *our* people to be captured by these... whatever they are?" "If there was another choice for us to make, I would gladly take it!" the Brakiri replied, her tone now angrier then Julia could ever remember hearing it. "But until and *if* we can come up with a means to counter this new threat... we walk into battle against this enemy at our own peril. Val'na." "Damnit!" Julia wrung her hands, looking for another way out, and finding none. "I... accept your reasoning, Na'lai -- *this* time. Activate jump engines, and get us the Hell out of here. Mr. Dawson... do you think we can outrun the enemy?" The engineer nodded, his expression somber -- even *he* realized what was going on here. "I guarantee it, Captain... we'll lose them if they try to follow." "We'll be back, Azhahk." Julia promised in a whisper, even as Klairika opened a jump point behind them, and Dasouri turned the 'Shard' in space and all but *flung* it into hyperspace, before any of the enemy warships could respond. "I promise." A moment passed, and then another warning chime sounded on the bridge. "At least one of the warships is following us." Sheynell reported. "But they can't match our speed. We should be out of sensor range in about ten minutes or so... max." Julia nodded curtly. "Klairika... are we near enough to the tachyon beacon system to send a message, point to point, without the enemy picking it up?" Her first officer nodded. "All right -- then send to Val'na Nathan Gardinier of the warship *Night's Dagger*, I want to talk to him, soonest." "And then?" Julia drew in a deep breath. "Get me ISA Headquarters on Minbar -- looks like I'm going to have to speak to the President, as well." John Sheridan, she knew, wasn't to like what she was going to have to tell him, or most of the senior Rangers for that matter once the word got out. But the feeling was mutual. Because if this was for real, if their secret *was* out -- then their primary mission had just become a *whole* lot harder. * * * "Oh *no*." Courtney managed, as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. "They... left." Fenric nodded grimly at this, even as his pilot skimmed the shuttle low over the moonscape beneath, looking for a safe place to land. "The evidence seems to suggest that the enemy saw them, Miss Ellis -- and even with the weaponry at their disposal, the odds were against our Captain and her crew if this is the case. And now... now we must hide, until and *if* they return." "If?" Courtney managed. "What do you mean, if?" "I believe you know what I mean." Fenric replied. "Remember your vows, Miss Ellis." Courtney gulped, then -- now she knew what he was getting at. "I live for the One." she whispered. "I would *die* for the One." The fighter commander nodded, his eyes bright. "And now, let us hide... while we still can!" * * * Above. "{Cowardsss. They ran, when they could have fought}." The Zener's companion laughed. "So... it woudl appear that even Tikopai understands the meaning of superior odds. I must admit I'm pleased that our little ploy worked, Iloune`ee. Remember that doubt is ever an agent of chaos... and we have given the Changeling and her crew a reason to doubt -- a reason to believe that the secret of their precious 'darklight' technology' has been broken." The Zener nodded, his large eyes full of sadistic mirth. "{We did not see them -- but they *thought* that we did. We took a chance on guessing where they were -- and we were *right*. The Drakh and others have also given our enemy cause to doubt the... validity of her cause. And because this is so, she and her followers may yet be destroyed}." "Indeed, my friend..." Guttricht Haaker mused, he who was also known as 'The Messenger' to a select few. "Indeed. But before that moment comes... there is much to do. Much... indeed." * * * To be continued... http://www.connect.ab.ca/~dgolding/star_circle.html From: David Goldingay Subject: STAR AND CIRCLE: "The Seeker's Fire", Episode 16, Act II Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 00:35:55 -0600 "STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE" EPISODE SIXTEEN: "THE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN" (disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture) * * * <> 16:55 hrs, EST -- Sept 4th, 2267. Near the Drazi/Centauri border - ISAS 'Night's Dagger' -- captain's ready room. "Well whaddaya know..." Nathan Gardinier muttered, as he and the tactical officer of the 'Night's Dagger' stared at each other across the captain's chess board, "That sure looks like *checkmate* to me, Mac." "Well I'll be damned..." James McCaffrey muttered, as he glared at the board, trying his best to prove his captain wrong. "Have you been practicing against the computer in your off-duty hours, or something?" "Or something, yes." Gardinier admitted, his grin widening. "Except, don't forget that the laws of statistics suggest that I *should* win a game against you once in a while." "Well that settles it..." The argument was broken off then, however, by the chime sequence that meant one thing and one thing only to every captain in the Fleet -- summons to battlestations. And a moment later chess was the last thing on either Ranger's mind as they abandoned their post-game banter and ran for the bridge. "We've just received a priority-one request for tactical assistance from the *Shard of Night*, sir." Rebecca Anderson informed her captain even as Gardinier arrived. "Captain Tikopai went so far as to indicate that they'd been jumped by three enemy cruisers and had to leave their away team behind. And also that this new threat appears to be utilizing Shadow technology... in a *big* way." "Well, Hell, here we go again..." Gardinier stopped, and turned to face Anderson. "Wait a minute -- did you just say she left some of her people behind?" "Yes, sir. And as for the reason, I think she wants to explain that to you herself." The grim expression on Gardinier's face deepened then, as Julia Tikopai's normally-composed features shimmered into view on the bridge's main projection display... except today she looked almost... frightened? "Hey, kid -- what the Hell happened to you out there? And what's this about Shadowtech warships?" "It's true, Nathan -- we were sent to investigate a possible Swarm outbreak... but what we found looks to be *much* worse, instead." Julia nodded sharply at someone offscreen... and then Nathan stiffened in surprise as the image split to show a shimmery-black spiky-armed vessel against the darkness of space, surrounded by many tiny fighters of a similar appearance. "We don't have a clue who's fielding these ships -- but not only do they use Shadowtech in a big way... it also looks as if they could *see* us while we were in stealth-mode." Gardinier whistled, his tone one of dismay. "Damn... well, that *would* explain why you turned tail and ran for the hills. So... let me see if I've got this straight, Jules -- you want us to come on over, help you retrieve your people and maybe kick some Shadow ally butt?" "And as many other ships as we and Headquarters can scare up to deal with this new threat." the reply came... but Nathan grinned when he saw that she *was* smiling a bit at last -- apparently the old nickname he'd given her during their training on B5 back at the end of the Shadow War had done the trick, after all. "See if you can call in some favours... meanwhile I'm going to call on the President and see if he can help out with our, ah, little problem." "Good luck... you'll need it." Little, huh? "And just so you know, we'll be getting underway shortly -- if all goes well we'll be in your neck of the woods in about six or seven hours time." "Sounds *great* to me." "Right, then -- we'll see you on the flip side then, Julia. *Night's Dagger* out." * * * "... and that, I'm afraid -- is the situation we're facing, Mr. President." Julia concluded. "We got out of there before they could fire on us... and while we don't really have an idea of what kind of firepower they're wielding..." "Just the size of the ships themselves gives us a pretty good idea, doesn't it?" John Sheridan replied from the other end of the FTL tachyon link in Tuzanor, his tone wearier than Julia could ever remember hearing. "At least half the size of the Shadow warships we ran into during the war... maybe more." "But no screams. Whatever these ships are, they don't appear to be alive -- and as so, they're probably not controlled by the Swarm. Which means..." "Which probably means this is just *another* of the Shadow ally races looking for a rematch." the President finished for her. "A likely possibility." Julia agreed. "Your orders?" "We need to handle this before word of this latest attack gets out, Captain -- we don't need a repeat of the panic that happened after the Drakh attack. As such..." and at that Julia watched the President's eyes flicker briefly over some figures on the computer screen in front of him, "As it turns out, the Worker Caste have just commissioned the *Aramain* and the *Shalnaer*..." Those, Julia knew, were the second and third members of the new Ranger strike cruiser class -- sister ships to Nathan Gardinier's command. "Is it your belief that those ships, together with the *Night's Dagger* and your own command, and maybe a White Star or three, will be sufficient to handle this threat?" "I believe so, Mr. President." Julia agreed. "And thank you, sir." "Don't thank me until it's over, Captain -- because if it's one thing I've learned the hard way, you don't count your victories until the battles are actually fought. ISA HQ... out." "And that was supposed to make me feel better?" Julia grumbled, after the President's image faded away. "No... but sometimes the truth hurts." Julia spun around on her heel to see Sheynell in the ready room doorway. "While it looks like *you* can come down from your pedestal for a bit, since it seems we have a bit of a wait in store. Want to talk about it?" *No*, a part of her screamed, my burden, *my* duty... but the larger part said... "Sure." * * * Captain's Log, Earth Alliance Starship *Excalibur* (cot'd) Doesn't seem as if I'm ever gonna learn not to ask stupid questions. Because sooner or later, someone or something comes along and gives out equally improbable answers. * * * The *Excalibur* -- captain's quarters. 17:47 hrs, EST. The moment Gideon stepped through the door of his quarters, he heard it -- heard the whispers that no one else seemed to... which was a good thing, most of the time. The voice that spoke to him and him alone... when it so chose. "Time." the voice said again. "The time has come." His expression guarded, Gideon brought the box out of its hiding place. "The time for *what*?" "Hunting time." the apocalypse box replied. "They are hiding from you -- they are following what you seek. Find them, and understand the rest." Gideon's eyes widened... and then narrowed suspiciously. "What I seek? Do you mean the ship that killed the *Cerberus*? And who the Hell are *they*?" "Find them, and understand." the box replied. "The ones you seek, the ones who serve... the ones who *follow*. They are hiding from you." "Where are they?" The box told him... and a moment later, the captain of the *Excalibur* left his quarters at a run. * * * *Excalibur* -- conference room. 17:57 hrs, EST. "We're going *where*?" Galen carefully inquired, after Gideon finished explaining that they were about to change course... and where it was they were headed. "Forgive me for pointing this out, Matthew... but there aren't any planets full of old ruins in that sector. What you will discover, however, if you're not careful... are things that are better off left buried." "Like the truth, maybe?" Gideon challenged. "My *source* is telling me that the ships I'm looking for are going to be in Sector 975..." "Ships?" the technomage parried. "Not 'ship'?" "Ship, ships, what's the difference?" the now irritable captain of the *Excalibur* replied. "What does matter is that I've been given a chance to start unraveling some of the mysteries that have been bugging me for years, now... while at the same time we get to take on an enemy that's already destroyed several ISA explorer ships and killed hundreds if not thousands of people." "I'm afraid he's right about that, Galen." Matheson stated. "One of the articles of alliance states that in times of crisis, it is expected that deep patrol captains in Earthforce render any and all assistance they can to ISA commanders in military operations..." "Oh... Rangers, you mean?" Galen said. "That's right... most of the time." Matheson replied, his tone wary. "Although there are those rumours going around about Sheridan wanting to establish some sort of joint-race military operation outside the Ranger chain of command." "Oh well... if you're looking for an excuse to go on a wild goose chase, Matthew, I suppose this one will *have* to do." "One thing, sir..." Matheson inquired, "What do we tell headquarters if they should happen to call?" "We are experiencing technical difficulties -- please stand by?" "Captain..." "Just kidding, Lieutenant. You can tell them *this*..." * * * Shortly thereafter, with the *Excalibur* on its way towards Sector 975 at the best speed its engines could manage, Galen retreated to his private sanctum on the hanger deck of the enormous Victory Class destroyer -- to think on matters, but also to speak to the Others about this matter. Galen had given Sheridan, and in some respects Matthew as well, reason to believe that the Others had cast him out. That this was not... entirely accurate was something no one needed to know at the moment, of course. "Galen -- what have you learned?" "It is as I suspected -- a survivor of one of Sheridan's private little wars has fallen in with bad company. They're desperate, you see -- perhaps their need for power will be their undoing." "You speak of those who destroyed Gideon's ship, before we allowed you to rescue him?" Galen nodded. "I'm afraid that it's an obsession with him -- and until that obsession is broken, he will progress no farther towards his destiny. But there is another matter to consider, as well -- the Observer and her crew are also involved in this matter. They are gathering their own forces to strike against the enemy as we speak." "And the Convergence -- is it come?" "Soon." Galen said. "Very soon now -- but not yet. Prophecy's child does not as yet understand the full extent of her gifts. But when she does..." "If she does, and is willing to make the sacrifice, we may yet be saved from That Which is to Come." Galen inclined his head, taking the point as moot. "And when the Convergence comes..." "I will be waiting, and watching. We've waited a long time for this, friend -- we can wait a while longer yet." * * * In Sector 975, one of the three warships answering to the command of the mysterious human named Guttricht Haaker hung in synchronous orbit above the surface of a world of refuge, a world on which a small group of Rangers had secreted themselves, hoping to hide from their enemies. The Z'shailyl named Prein found this concept highly amusing, of course, as his Zener underlings carefully examined the surface of the world with the highly advanced sensor suite his vessel possessed -- a partly living array that was one of the few legacies remaining to his people now that the Ancient Masters were gone beyond the galactic rim. "Have you found them yet?" Prein inquired. "We believe so." one Zener replied. "We will, however, need to send a landing party down to those coordinates to be sure." "Not unexpected." Prein allowed, as he turned to face another, much younger member of his race waiting nearby. "Mathasar." "Que'zhail." "You are to take your warriors down to the surface and acquire for me some of these... Rangers. I wish to ask them some questions." "It shall be as you say, Que'zhail. And if they resist?" "If they resist, they are to be punished for that crime -- but remember, Mathasar, I want them intact. If any are killed, Haaker will be most displeased." "We understand." Mathasar promised, as he left the bridge. "We shall return with the prey in hand." "I'm sure you will, Mathasar." Prein observed. "I'm sure.. you will." * * * The surface -- 18:15 hrs, EST. "They're coming for us, aren't they?" Courtney whispered, as she hunkered down next to Azhahk in the cave they'd been hiding in since they'd landed on this godawful world almost two hours before. "Who do you think they are?" "Not the Drakh -- since the destruction of their stolen deathcloud above Earth, they have shown no sign of possessing other Shadow technology to cast against us. For if they had it..." "They would have used it against us, already?" "Indeed." Shein commented from nearby. "Our Captain and her crew have destroyed many of their warships since the destruction of the deathcloud -- and the Drakh have shown themselves to have little patience with waiting, since then. As such..." "It's not them, because they would have used them already." Courtney reluctantly agreed. "Okay, so if not the Drakh, then who?" "Perhaps the Z'shailyl." Fenric reminded the other two Rangers. "Recall if you will that the renegade Moreil has mentioned from time to time that the rest of his people were ordered to serve the Drakh's dark purpose. While we have also heard rumours of another former servant race named *Zener*..." Fenric fell silent then, however, as one of his fighter pilots emerged from out of the foggy darkness. "An assault craft has landed, sir -- I estimate perhaps ten or twenty soldiers moving in this direction. Your orders?" "Return to your craft at once -- if we are destined to fall in this place... then that fate cannot be avoided. But not all of us need die -- when our captain returns, if you listen to your instincts, you may yet return to *An'shaka dal* to tell our tale." "It shall be as you say, sir." the younger pilot replied, his tone one of regret... and understanding. And with that, the two bowed to one another, and the other Ranger vanished back the way he had come -- at which point Fenric beckoned Courtney over, and pressed something into her hand. "Anla'shok Ellis -- I trust you know the basics of pikesmanship?" Courtney gulped -- and then nodded. "Yeah -- I took part in an after-hours intro lesson in Tuzanor... but I didn't do so good, if you know what I'm saying?" "Nevertheless, it appears as if you will soon be called upon to defend yourselves from this new and perhaps unknown enemy. The weapon is yours, Miss Ellis... at least for the time being. Use it wisely." A short time passed, and then Shein beckoned her two human companions closer to the entrance. "Someone is moving out there -- I think..." The Minbari fell silent then, however, as a siblilant voice became audible, its tone mocking. "Rangersss... your way of escape is blocked -- your ship and captain have deserted you, and we are capable of overwhelming you and yours, if we so choose. You would be well advised to sssurrender while you still can." "We are Rangers." Fenric curtly replied. "We do *not* surrender." Courtney shivered at the harsh words -- this wasn't... actually happening, was it? They weren't going to... "Ssso be it, then." the voice replied, its tone now full of menace. "Then we will do thisss - *our* way." At which point a horde of grey-armored warriors rushed into the cave. And then it was that Courtney yelled out a challenge -- and despite her earlier misgivings, and with Fenric and Shein at her side, she rushed forward, pike in hand. The outcome was never in doubt for a moment. * * * "Have you captured them?" Prein inquired. "Some of them, Que'zhail." Mathasar replied from his position on the surface. "The three who came in the transport were easy to capture -- the other warriors are returning them to our smallcraft as we speak. As for the pilots of the three fightercraft, we have yet to locate them..." "We do have time to continue the search at this time." Prein replied after a momentary hesitation. "Return to the ship with your prisoners, Mathasar -- we will be moving into stealthmode shortly." "But, Que'zhail!... if the Rangers still at large return to their ship, word of what has happened here may reach their mistress-captain. She will most certainly come in pursuit, along with whatever reinforcements Sheridan has sent to this region." "Yes." Prein agreed. "Exactly." "Que'zhail?" "Return to the ship, Mathasar... at once. Once you arrive, I will explain everything." * * * There was darkness, and there was pain -- and for a while that was the entirety of Courtney's world. But then she remembered the exercises the senior instructors in Tuzanor had taught them... one of which dealt with situations just like this one... and also how best to control pain inflicted due to torture or imprisonment. And eventually the moment came when the pain receded to a dull background ache, and she struggled to her feet... and immediately hit her head on the low ceiling of the (cell?) the enemy had thrown her into. She remembered how the battle had ended -- how Fenric and Shein had dealt out several severe blows before being overwhelmed... how three of their foes had surrounded her, and struck as one. And between then and now... that they'd been moved was undeniable -- and a distant rhythmic rumble told her that she was now onboard a ship... perhaps even the ship that had driven off the *Shard*? And then, all of a sudden, a blast of light emerged from the darkness -- and Courtney involuntarily sank to her knees while shielding her eyes from the blinding glare. "Who are you?" she cried out. "Why are you..." "Doing this?" a sinister whisper came from beyond the light. "You will learn the answer to that question soon enough, human... or die. One way or the other, our purpose here will have been achieved. For now, however... I will be the one asking the questions." And then, even before Courtney could say a word, the glaring light began to flicker... and consciousness faded. * * * Elsewhere, other questions were being asked, and answers given. * * * "How long until they arrive?" "Twenty minutes less than the last time you asked." Klairika told her captain. "You should get some rest." Julia shook her head, while trying not to yawn. "Not until this is over... one way or the other." * * * "How long until we get there?" "Thirty minutes less than the last time you asked." John Matheson told his captain. "And sir... if you don't mind me asking, are you going to stop pacing any time soon?" * * * "Are they ready, I wonder?" This time, it was Galen asking the question... and even though neither of the humans the question referred to were present, the technomage knew the question was about to be answered, whether they were ready or not. Whether the universe was ready to suffer the consequences of what was to come was another question entirely, of course. * * * To be continued... http://www.connect.ab.ca/~dgolding/star_circle.html Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2000 08:16:06 -0600 From: David Goldingay Subject: STAR AND CIRCLE: "The Seeker's Fire", Episode 16, Act III And now, continuing on from where we were when the old list went kaput... "STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE" EPISODE SIXTEEN: "THE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN" (disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture) * * * <> The surface -- Anla'shok muster point. 21:17 hrs, Sept 4th, 2267. "They must be gone by now, Shavann... we *have* to do something!" The Minbari named Shavann, who had in his day walked amongst the stars with Alyt Neroon, and then endured the atrocities of the Civil War between the castes, took a deep breath and did his best to rein in his anger. That anger, as the Sech'sha had once told him, should be saved for when the time came to fight the enemy... and not be directed towards his fellow Rangers, be they human or otherwise, young or old, wise or... inexperienced. "We must have patience, Mr. Deitz... what do you think will happen if we rise from this place to find those warships waiting for us?" "But... our sensors don't show anything up there!" the other Ranger insisted. "If we could make it to the jumpgate..." "And what if we find that those warships are using Shadow technology to hide themselves from our sensors, instead? While we have yet to see the weapons systems of those vessels used against us, I fear we would not last long against Shadow-augmented weaponry. We wait, Mr. Deitz... until reinforcements arrive -- until our Val'na and 'An'shaka-dal's' crew returns. Do you understand?" Deitz nodded curtly -- and then the younger Ranger stalked off into the fog, without saying another word. "That one," the third fighter pilot observed, "May very well be the death of us yet. May I assume, however, that once the Captain returns, you will obey Anla'shok Fenric's final wish?" "If final it is." Shavann curtly observed. "The enemy may have taken him and the others, but they may yet escape, if the One wills it. But yes... when reinforcements come, we will attempt a rendezvous. It is our duty to tell his tale, so he may be remembered..." * * * "What happened to... me?" "You pass-sss-ed out." the enemy voice told Courtney, its tone now thoughtful instead of sinister. "But the Others have told us what we must do, and we must obey their wishes in all things. Now... who are you?" "That's an interesting question to ask," Courtney spat, "Considering we're on a Shadow technology-augmented warship!" "The... Shadows are gone -- and jus-ss-t because this vessel uses their technology does *not* mean we echo their beliefs and motives. Answer the question!" "I am *Anla'shok*." "You are young to wear the black -- very young, indeed. You have seen much you do not understand, and walked in places that have frightened you, yes?" "I don't think I want to answer that question..." "Oh -- do you not?" The voice had now become sinister again. "And if I was to s-ss-ay that answering the question would mean the difference between life and death?" "You can go to Hell..." The floor beneath suddenly flared with electric fire, and Courtney screamed. "Impudence, s-ss-he displays... try again, Anla'shok that you call yourself." "Yes." she managed, as she steadied herself on the floor. "Sometimes." "And are you frightened now?" "No." "The girl lies to us-sss..." another voice observed. "A human who was given a weapon she does not know how to use. The girl is defiant." "Perhaps -- and yet, she wears the black -- for her kind, this means something, yes? So why *did* you put on the black, Anla'shok?" the first voice challenged. "Answer this question, and we may yet let you live." Almost Courtney told them about following in her father's footsteps... but then she paused, and thought it through. What if that wasn't enough for them? If they didn't like her answer, the pain would come again -- and even though she was trained in resisting torture like any other Ranger... she didn't know how much of that she could stand. "So many of us have died, fighting the darkness." she managed. "Your darkness -- the darkness we cannot see... fighting the lies and the deceptions. Someone has to follow in their footsteps... to make their deaths have meaning." "How very *honorable*." the voice hissed. "How... human." And then, all of a sudden, Courtney made the connection that had been sitting in the back of her mind all along -- that voice, the hissing... of course. All of a sudden her mind went back to the image of a dark-skinned sentient with huge red eyes standing in the hangar bay of the *Shard*, months before -- Moreil, her captain's occasional ally. "You're Z'shailyl, aren't you?" There was a pause -- and then... "The girl makes assumptions she should not have. One more question -- where were you when the darkness fell upon your world?" "Serving the One." she said, once more defiant. And for her troubles, were then plunged back into darkness. Courtney paused, then -- waiting for the light to return, for the 'interrogation' to continue... but nothing else happened -- while the voice did not return. While nothing about the whole experience, from the questions down to the single *if* powerful jolt they'd given her, made any sense. Because, Courtney considered, as she remembered the words that Sech Durhan had said to her class back in Tuzanor -- if these enemies had wanted her secrets, the torture would have continued until they'd broken her... however long that would have taken. That they hadn't done this meant that something else was going on. But what? * * * Elsewhere in the ship, Azhahk Fenric was asking the very same question -- and although he would not learn of the matter until much later, his captors had asked him many of the same questions they'd asked his younger companion. While the whole experience, from the apparent uselessness of the inquiry to the bizarre episode when the lights of the cell had flickered madly, giving him a tremendous headache, didn't seem to make any sense. And now, for what seemed to be at least several hours, they had left him alone... And then, all of a sudden, the icy-cold wall on the far side of the cell shuddered, and a great chunk swung aside to reveal a door. And even as a wary Fenric rose to his feet, a figure familiar in appearance appeared in that opening, its dark head triangular, its enormous eyes glowing faintly in the shadowy interior of the enclosure. "So... you've come for me at last, have you?" "Be *silent*!" the Z'shailyl hissed. "All is not as it seems-ss. But unless you cooperate, none of what I intend may come to pass. This, I believe, is yours." And then, as an openly disbelieving Fenric watched on, the Z'shailyl withdrew a small object from its robes and held it out towards him. "Your weapon, I believe?" "And if I take it and attempt to strike you down, what then?" "You will have los-ss-t what is in the here and now your one ally onboard this ship." "Then why give the weapon to me at all?" "Becaus-ss-e even the *best* laid plans hold within their claws the capacity to go wrong. This-ss lesson you and your leaders have learned by now, yes?" "And another thing..." "Why do I do this thing at all?" The Z'shailyl's mouth glittered as it bared its teeth. "Remember you mus-ss-t that not all of my kind serve our various masters without regret -- and that there are some among us who seek to free us from those bonds... permanantly." "Ah -- do you refer to Moreil, perhaps?" "Yes-sss." the Z'shailyl agreed. "He is the One Who Stands Apart -- he may be our only hope... if he lives-sss long enough to finish what he has begun, that is-sss. But now... the plan, we must discuss. The first thing you mus-ss-t know is that I serve as what you would call 'Watch Commander' on this ship. The master of this vessel has gone to his rest, having finished asking you his... questions. While the guards on this Watch believe as I do, and will not interfere with us." "And once you have released the other two members of my party, what then?" "We will take you to an escape pod, and jettison you from the ship." the Z'shailyl explained. "And leave clues-ss behind to make the others believe that you have escaped, but are still onboard." "Ah... but how are you to make the 'escape' look credible?" "A few of those loyal to our cause have volunteered to be ss-struck down near to this place, to make it appear as if they were attacked during your escape. It is the safest way to insure your s-sss-urvival." A moment passed -- but finally, Fenric nodded. "I am perhaps a fool to believe you -- but the alternative appears to be even more unpleasant. While there does seem to be convinction behind your words, Z'shailyl. And as for your intent -- it makes sense. My Captain will be returning soon, and when she does, battle will surely be joined..." "And this-sss ship, and all aboard her, may die." The Z'shailyl agreed. "Now! -- the time for talking is done... the moment for action has come." * * * Hyperspace -- down-gradient from Sector 975. 00:13 hrs, Sept 5th, 2267. "Hey, Julia -- wakey-wakey. I would say 'rise and shine', except..." "It's the middle of our nightwatch..." Julia managed, as she forced open an eyelid, "And since we're in hyperspace, there's no 'sun' either. So... are they here yet? And when did I fall asleep?" "About an hour and a half ago." Dawson replied with a grin. "Don't you remember going into your ready room for a break? As I recall, you said something about 'stretching your legs'..." "Oh... yeah -- I guess I *did* at that." Julia finally admitted. "There wouldn't happen to be any coffee around, would there?" "I thought you didn't drink coffee." "There's an exception to every rule." Julia ruefully admitted, as Dawson's grin widened -- and then a moment later the engineer began pouring her a cup from the thermos he'd carried in with him. "While it sure looks as if you were expecting my request..." "Yep." the engineer replied. "Eventually, there comes a moment when the going gets *really* tough... and then you just gotta have your java." "I'll have to keep that in mind." Julia sarcastically replied, even as she sipped from the mug, winced at the strong brew and tried to shake the cobwebs out of her mind. "Now..." "The 'Night's Dagger' came into sensor range about five minutes ago, accompanied by White Star's 104 and 125, while the 'Aramain' and the 'Shalnaer' should be here in less than ninety minutes. And once they arrive..." "It's time for us to go hunting." Dawson nodded. "One other thing -- Klairika wanted me to tell you that she intercepted a comm message between Earthforce command and some of its outermost units while you were asleep -- seems like the 'Excalibur's running silent for some reason. Apparently Captain Gideon told the Joint Chiefs that they're running a series of drills, but from the tone of the message, it doesn't sound like they believe him." "Running silent..." Julia muttered, as she rose to her feet and moved onto the bridge, Dawson beside her. "They're probably right, Nicholas -- he wouldn't do something like this without a damn good reason." "And you've become a Gideon expert all of a sudden, have you?" "When you sneak around after the man for the better part of a year... you pick up on a few things." Julia said, as she sank into the captain's chair, cup in hand. "Klairika..." "Val'na?" "I'm assuming that the captain of the 'Dagger's waiting to talk to us?" "He is *indeed*." the Brakiri confirmed. "On main screen." * * * Onboard the *Excalibur* -- 00:21 hrs, EST. There were only a few things that John Matheson disliked about his career in Earthforce... and one of those was the waiting. Waiting to see if the latest exploration would produce a result -- waiting to see who the Captain would manage to piss off next... waiting for the inevitable, for the booby traps they were going to find in ancient ruins, the traps that would kill good men and women who were only trying to help find a cure to the plague. And now, waiting to arrive in a sector of space containing ships that would almost certainly open fire on them the minute they jumped out. While waiting sometimes begat sleeplessness -- and so it was that Matheson found himself wandering from place to place within the bowels of his captain's ship... and finally, when he decided that he'd walked enough, he called for a transport car. Maybe, if no one interfered, he'd be able to catch a doze in there... That idea lasted as long as it took for the telepath to put up his legs -- and then was rudely shattered as another presence suddenly made itself known in the car. "Ah... hello, Lieutenant. I thought you might happen along eventually." Matheson's eyes snapped open -- and he muttered a curse as he saw Galen at the other end of the car. "How did you do that? I could've sworn you weren't there a moment ago." "Perhaps you are correct... perhaps I *wasn't*." the technomage cryptically replied. "But we are well met this night, Mr. Matheson... for there are matters we must discuss." "The Captain's obsession, you mean?" "I am less worried about Matthew's obsessions and more interested in where he is getting his information *from*." Galen parried. "Aren't you even the slightest bit concerned about who it was that gave him this lead, and what price he may have paid to obtain it?" "Curious, yes..." Matheson admitted, "But not concerned. I've served with him a long time now, Galen -- and even though he does hold his cards close, he's been right about his hunches a Hell of a lot more often then he's been wrong. And I think he's right about this one." "You do?" Galen's eyes narrowed. "Why?" "I..." Matheson paused, and then frowned. "You know what?... it's the strangest thing, but I get the feeling that not everyone out there is trying to get us -- and that we may find friends where we least expect them." And that, Matheson decided, was as near as he was going to come to telling Galen about the Captain's 'suspicions'... for the time being at least. "Perhaps you're right." Galen finally said, as the transport car slid to a halt. "At the speed we are travelling, it would appear that we're going to find out soon enough in any case. Good evening to you, Lieutenant." And with that said, Galen left Matheson to his thoughts. "Damnit..." the 'Excalibur's first officer muttered after a few more moments had passed. Who was he to deny the inevitable? "So much for a nap." * * * "What the!..." "*Quietly*, Miss Ellis." Fenric quietly insisted, as he quickly laid a hand over the mouth of his wide-eyed and quite disheveled comrade. "When one is about to make a 'prison break', one does not generally announce the fact to the warden, yes?" "How... how did you get out?" "It would seem that we have friends even in the most unexpected places." the fighter pilot replied, as he gestured towards the door of Courtney's cell. A moment later, the two Rangers stepped through the door together to find Shein and the Z'shailyl waiting beyond. "He refuses to tell us his name -- but it would seem as if there is a significant fifth-column presence among the Z'shailyl onboard this vessel." "So it *was* built by the Drakh?" "No." the Z'shailyl insisted, "Not by... them. The Others built this ship." "The Others?" Courtney managed. "Who and what are they?" "I cannot tell you that -- if their plans proceed as scheduled, however... you may learn the answer to your questions-sss soon enough, human. For now, though... there is no time for us-ss to exchange secrets. You must follow me, and *now*, if you wish to live." Courtney and Azhahk exchanged a glance. "And you believe him?" "If there is an alternative you wish to suggest, Miss Ellis, now would be the time." Shein observed. "The masters of this vessel and the rest are undoubtedly waiting to test their ships against those fielded by the Anla'shok -- and I, for one, do not believe that our Val'na is going to disappoint them..." * * * "Hail, hail..." Nathan Gardinier deadpanned, "The gang's all here." "While the plan you have... concocted betweenst you appears to be sound." the captain of the 'Aramain' admitted. "To send in the two White Stars with fighter escort to draw the enemy out of hiding is perhaps our best choice -- as we proved during the Shadow War, they are perhaps maneuverable enough to avoid anything but short-range bursts from Shadow-enhanced weaponry. And then, once they've committed themselves to battle..." "We close the trap." Julia finished. "The three strike cruisers will jump in from all sides and engage -- while my ship will come into the fray in the... shadow of Val'na Gardinier's command, ready to unleash our own firepower, as required." "It can be hoped that the enemy will find themselves so involved fighting the enemies they can easily see that they will forget about the one that is more difficult to detect." "This new enemy has chosen to threaten us, clothing themselves once more in the shadows of our pasts." the captain of the 'Shalnaer' said. "This, we cannot allow, not if our mission is to succeed... not if *yours* is to succeed as well, Val'na Tikopai." "And remember, boys..." Gardinier drawled, "If we get the chance to board those ships... we take it. Some of our people may have been captured... and if they have, we have to try and rescue them -- as well as learning where this tech is coming from." "And if we cannot save them?" "They swore the vow, just like the rest of us." Julia stated, her tone cool and precise. "They knew the risks they were taking when they agreed to come on this mission -- and that sometimes, not everyone gets out alive if victory is to achieved." "We understand. And now..." "Now, it's time to dance." Gardinier finished for them all, his voice gone suddenly deadly. * * * Elsewhere. "So... it's done, is it?" "Yes. It took us only a short time to isolate the target from the others -- we have done what you and the others have asked us to." "Very well. In that case... get as many of your people off of the ship as you can. The -shatoz-, as well you know, are more than capable of fighting a battle by themselves... at least temporarily." "It is a steep price to pay." "Yes -- very steep. But we must pay it, in order for victory to be assured." The first speaker bowed at those words, and as the image of the second faded from sight, he straightened and let out a hiss of satisfaction. Veils behind veils... and soon enough, if all went well, those veils would be ripped aside. Then, and only then... would the Enemy understand the true nature of what they were facing. Then would come the moment of their final defeat. And following that -- the obliteration of the human race. Soon now. * * * "Talk to me, Lieutenant..." Matthew Gideon ground out, as he emerged onto the bridge of the *Excalibur*, Galen close behind. "What's going on out there?" "Sensors have picked up jump point activity in the area, sir." Matheson replied. "Also some comm traffic between a few Ranger White Stars. Looks like the Alliance has sent a battle group in to deal with the situation." "If they're facing the same ship that attacked the *Cerberus*, Lieutenant, I sincerely hope that it's more than a few." Gideon said. "Your orders, sir?" "We let the Rangers have their battle -- bloody the enemy the little..." "And then?" "And then..." Gideon concluded, "It's time for the cavalry to come riding over the hill." * * * To be continued! (Act IV is ready... and will be posted this afternoon) http://www.connect.ab.ca/~star_circle.html Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2000 15:50:16 -0600 From: David Goldingay Subject: STAR AND CIRCLE: "The Seeker's Fire", Episode 16, Act IV "STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE" EPISODE SIXTEEN: "THE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN" (disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture) * * * <> Hyperspace - down-gradient from Sector 975. 02:20 hrs, EST -- Sept 5th, 2267. "All right, people... talk to me. What's our status?" "We're almost to the target." Sheynell told Julia, as Warren Holm stood by the telepath's side at the tactical board, ready and willing to take up some of the slack should this battle prove to be as bad as everyone feared it was going to be. "The White Stars are standing by, ready to jump." "Okay, kid..." Nathan Gardinier drawled, as the 'Night's Dagger' and its two sister warships maneuvered for jump position, "This is it... Are you ready?" Julia froze -- Nathan had said the words, but it had been another voice she'd heard... or, to be more specific... voices. From different times, and different places. # # # "#Are you ready?#" Kosh asked her on Babylon 5, as she stood, entranced by the vision she saw before her -- a vision of what had been... a vision of light -- and of promises. # # # "Are you ready?" Tashann asked her, as she stood beside Dreann at White Star 11's operations station, on the way to Corianna VI. "Ready for the last battle any of us may see?" # # # "Are you ready, Captain?" John Sheridan asked her, as she stood at parade rest in front of his desk in Tuzanor. "Ready to do what has to be done?" # # # Julia blinked -- shook her head, and then nodded fiercely. What in Valen's Name had *that* been about? "We're as ready as we're ever going to be." she agreed. "But first..." "First they have to take the bait." Gardinier agreed. * * * "They've finally ejected us from the ship." Fenric observed, as the escape pod raced away from its dark parent at speed. "The battle the Z'shailyl warned us about -- it must be about to begin." And then, all of a sudden -- the pod *hit* something... what, he did not know. But the result was immediate, as the pod's course became erratic. Fenric unleashed a virulent curse in Arabian as it began to tumble, and then, with the help of Shein, began attempting to regain control of the craft, even as it spun down towards the planet below. "I think I'm going to be sick." Courtney managed. "If we do not regain control of the pod soon..." Fenric ground out, "And re-enter the atmosphere... we will be worse than sick, Courtney... we will be *dead*." "Observe!" Shein exclaimed, as she cast a quick glance out of one of the viewports. "Jump points!" "The 'Shard'... do you think they're back?" Courtney wondered. Fenric nodded, his hands moving over the lifepod's limited controls. "If so... they are not alone. Now..." he muttered, "If I was a comm system, where would I be?" * * * Far above Sector 975's single life-supporting world, the vacuum twisted, and then ripped apart into two jump points -- out of which sprang the lithe forms of two members of the Interstellar Alliance's first White Star Fleet, surrounded by their fighters and those sent from the larger strike cruisers still waiting in hyperspace. Even now, in this age of uncertainty and new warship construction, the White Stars were *still* among the fastest ships in the galaxy... if no longer exactly the most advanced. And this day, the captains of those ships used that advantage to its fullest as they raced down towards the planet below. "Do you see the enemy?" White Star 104's commander asked of his First. "Are they still here?" "If they *are* still here, they're hiding from us." the other Ranger replied after a moment, as he listened to the reports coming in from the handful of Ranger fighter pilots that had accompanied them to this place. "Which could be bad news, if they're using as much Shadow technology as the 'Shard of Night's captain says they are." "That may well be -- but I get the feeling that they want this battle." the captain observed. "But until they move... we hold our course down into planetary orbit. Because if the Rangers that were left behind are still here..." * * * "Registering Anla'shok carrier signal, sir." Deitz reported, even as Shavann and his fellow fighter pilots brought their now-cloaked fighters out of the atmosphere. "Two White Stars and accompanying fighter escort." "So..." Shavann muttered in appreciation, "That's the way it's going to be, then, is it?" "Sir?" "Wait for it, Mr. Deitz -- wait for it. The enemy is still here, and now that we've arisen..." * * * "Movement detected." one of the fighter pilots suddenly shouted. "In Valen's Name... they're all around us, they're..." A burst of static suddenly erupted from the speakers, even a knife of purple light reached out and tried to swat the flight leader's fighter from space -- but even as that occurred, the other Rangers in the battlegroup were already reacting. "That is confirmed." the First reported, as both captains turned their ships toward the enemy. "Three vessels detected -- and multiple smaller contacts, approaching on attack vector." "Are they in firing range, yet?" "Not yet." "Wait for it..." the captain replied, his expression tense. "Wait for it..." "They're in firing range... locking on!" "Send the signal -- and break... now!" * * * As one, the two White Stars turned away from each other and accelerated to maximum speed, even as three more jump points shattered the skies around the Shadow-hybrid vessels. Vessels that barely had time to maneuver as the 'Night's Dagger' and her two sister ships erupted from hyperspace. "Target acquired, sir." Rebecca Anderson reported, as Nathan Gardinier rose to his feet. "Ready to fire." "Then by all means," Gardinier commanded, "Let those bastards have a taste of their own medicine." As one, the three strike cruisers opened fire, their twin nose cannons and wing pulse cannon catching one of the enemy warships in a cat's cradle of fire -- a cradle that swiftly contracted, even as the smaller fighters and White Stars moved to engage the tinier enemy fighters. A moment later the hull of the Shadowtech warship glowed red, then white... and burst asunder. "Target destroyed, sir -- the other two enemy ships are moving out of firing range, at least for the time being. Do we pursue?" "To start with, 'Becca... no. Now that we've made those ships back off, finding those missing Rangers has to be our next priority. Pull the fighters into a screen between us and the enemy, though." "I'm on it." Anderson promised. "Julia, you're clear to head down to search for them... we'll cover your back while you find your people." "Thanks, Nathan." the reply came, even as a barely seen shadow of a different sort moved past the *Night's Dagger* and into a lower orbit. "I owe you one for this." Gardinier grinned. "All part of the day's work, in this business." * * * Even as this was going on, even as the White Stars and the other strike cruisers drew a line in the sky with their enemies outside and their colleagues in, the remaining two warships under Prein's command halted their retreat and turned in space. "You are certain that the Others will not blame us for the loss of the ship?" Mathasar asked his Que'zhail. "No..." the older Z'shailyl replied, "Not in the slightest. That vessel was merely a prototype -- to be used for experimentation... to be discarded once the experiment was complete -- once we'd achieved the majority of our objectives in this place." "And now that this has come to pass?" "Now," Prein cunningly replied, "It is perhaps time to press our Anla'shok enemies more closely -- to remind them that not every battle they enter into ends with only minor losses. Send the signal -- I believe it's time for us to call in our reserves." * * * Onboard the *Excalibur*. "The sensors are showing more ship movement out there, sir." Matheson reported, as he gazed intently at the results his station board were showing him. "Converging on Sector 975." "More Rangers?" Gideon asked. "I don't *think* so." "All right..." Gideon declared, as he rose from his seat, "Then I guess it's time for us to..." "No... not yet." "What?" Gideon whirled to face Galen, who had for the most part stayed silent since the crisis had begun. "Galen, what the Hell are you..." "Soon." The technomage declared. "Soon they will need your help, Matthew. But not yet." "Then when?" "I will tell you." Galen replied, even as he and Matheson locked gazes, and nodded knowingly at one another -- an exchange that Gideon almost, but not *quite*... missed. * * * "Detecting a distress beacon, sir." Deitz reported, as the three fighters under Shavann's command continued to claw for altitude. "I think it's a lifepod." "If so, it may have been ejected from the enemy vessel which was just destroyed." the Minbari crisply replied, as he and the other two two pilots turned their craft towards the new signal. "Perhaps..." And then he heard a voice -- a voice that made even the dour warrior break out into a smile. "Attention, attention, to any Ranger vessels operating in Sector 975 -- this is Anla'shok Azhahk Fenric, commanding Landing Team Alpha..." "Hor'vai Fenric, we respond." Shavann said. "Shavann... is that you?" "It is, indeed. The remainder of your command managed to evade the enemy -- and after your capture, we only waited on the return of our Val'na and her command. Now, if you do not mind me asking..." "It's a long story." Fenric said, as the three fighters rendezvoused with the lifepod and prepared to grapple, "One that I think you'll find a bit confusing, actually. So did they return?" "We did indeed, gentlemen." another, familiar voice announced -- and all of the Rangers relaxed as a shimmery form suddenly moved out of the darkness -- the *Shard of Night*, it's chameleon cloaking system attempting to compensate for the presence of the planet below. "We decided we'd come to look for you while the other Ranger captains were keeping the enemy busy." "And for that we thank you, Captain." Fenric declared, as Shavann and Deitz finished grappling the pod and made directly for the *Shard*'s just opened hangar bay. "I have much to tell you -- while we are pleased to see that you and the others have dealt with..." "Ah, Hell -- look!" Deitz exclaimed, "It's..." * * * "We've got jump points forming all around us!" Klairika warned -- and just like that, the feeling of victory on the bridge of the *Shard* began to evaporate. "Three more enemy ships entering the system -- similar in appearance if not in *size* to the rest." "Damnit!" Dawson swore, as the now much larger enemy force raced towards the Ranger ships. "I *knew* that was too easy." "If it's a battle they want, Nicholas..." Julia replied, her face stony, "Then it's a battle they're going to get." "Now how did I know she was going to say that?" "The answer's obvious, this time..." Sheynell remarked. "Even for Drazi helmsman." Dasouri added. "We will not be threatened in this manner." Julia concluded. "While some of us have faced the combined might of the Shadows and Vorlons. After that..." "You ready for this one, kid?" Gardinier suddenly interrupted to Dawson's great relief, as the rest of the Ranger ships came around to surround the *Shard*. "As always, Nathan. Klairika... are they in firing range, yet?" The Brakiri nodded. Which was when, even as she began giving the command to fire... that something completely unexpected and occured. "We've got another jump point forming!" Sheynell suddenly cried. "It's... Oh *boy*." the telepath gulped. * * * "Well, well... looks like you were right about the 'ships' part, at least." Matheson observed, as the *Excalibur* emerged from hyperspace at speed. "Detecting five ships of unknown configuration, presumably hostile -- moving to engage the Ranger force." "Well, we can't have that... now can we?" Gideon said, his eyes hard as agates. "This is Captain Gideon to Ranger commander -- do the words 'fire in the hole' mean anything to you?" No reply came -- but then, none was really necessary. "Main gun ready, sir." Matheson said. "Ranger ships are breaking away!" "Then by all means, Lieutenant... fire at *will*." * * * No one member of Prein's battlegroup had time to respond, so unexpected was the appearance of the new enemy -- and luck was against the Z'shailyl this day, for three of the five Shadowtech vessels were lined up along the enemy's line of sight. And even as Prein began giving the command to scatter, it was too little, too late... as the ship closest to the blastpoint was torn apart, the others... merely flayed, their hulls glowing like embers, the distinctive arms of the ships almost snapped away by the sheer proximity of the blast. "Gideon." the Z'shailyl growled, even as the Ranger vessels spun around in space and returned to the attack. "He was warned... somehow he was warned." But how? "Que'zhail -- the daggership's attack has damaged much of our force beyond repair! We must flee -- or risk suffering the same fate as our brethren!" "Activate jump engines, then -- and set course for the rendezvous point." Prein ordered. "Haaker must hear of this." And if one thing was certain in all the possibilities -- that human would not be pleased by this turn of events... not in the slightest. At which point the two undamaged hybrid warships turned in space, and fled from the scene of battle. * * * "Val'na... do we pursue?" Klairika asked, her tone hesitant. "No..." Julia whispered, as she gazed out, eyes wide, upon the scene in front of her... on the ship she'd sworn to protect -- the ship that had come to save them from the enemy. "We run silent and dark, Klairika... we swore our vows. We swore our vows." To protect -- to watch... to fight. To keep secrets if such actions were necessary. And one of those secrets had almost been broken, this day. If Gideon had only moved a few seconds later... she would have given the order, and the *Shard* would have been engaged in battle when the *Excalibur* arrived. "How did he know?" she asked of the universe. "How?" An answer to a different question came to her from the *Night's Dagger* on tightbeam a short time later -- the Rangers commanding the two White Stars had attempted to pursue the surviving enemy vessels... but that attempt had failed, as those ships had raced away at a velocity not even the White Stars could match. Faster when they needed to be, and just as deadly, if not more so... then any ship the ISA could field. While Julia knew, without a doubt, that they hadn't seen the last of those ships -- and that the worst battle with them was almost certainly yet to come. * * * "Secondary scan complete, sir." Matheson reported, as an increasingly grumpy Gideon paced back and forth within the confines of the bridge. "Same result as before." "Just those five ships -- no others?" "Yes sir -- two White Stars and three of those new strike cruisers we've been hearing about. If you don't mind me asking, sir... we found and engaged a whole group of the ships you've been trying to find for the last few years... and between us and the Rangers, we managed to destroy four of them..." "But what we didn't get was answers, Lieutenant." Gideon replied. "To any of our questions." "No, sir... we didn't. Not this time." "And you think there's going to be 'another time' do you, Lieutenant?" Galen asked. "They'll be back, Galen." Matthew Gideon said, as he left the bridge. "And when they do... we'll be waiting." Matheson didn't have to use his telepathic abilities in that moment to know that his captain was holding something back. That response dealt with one of the questions preoccupying the captain -- but not both. Because not only didn't they know *who* was controlling those ships... they also hadn't found any trace of the 'crack unit' the captain thought was dogging their trail. A unit which just might have taken part in the battle just past. The answers were out there... now all they had to do was find them. And with that thought in mind, Matheson turned over command of the bridge to the watch officer and headed for bed. He didn't see the faint smile on Galen's face as he left... which was just as well. And then the technomage turned away as a voice spoke in his ear... a voice that he and only he could hear. "The crisis -- it has been averted, then?" "This time, yes." Galen allowed, "But what about next time?" * * * "You lied to me." The box was silent. "Were they there?" "Yes." "Why didn't we see them?" Silence. "So they can make themselves invisible? Is that it?" The box said nothing... and after a moment Gideon muttered a curse and closed it away from the world. The box often wished its masters would ask the right questions... but they never did. Except... except this one had promise. Perhaps the day would come soon when its master would ask the right question. Before it was too late. * * * To be concluded... http://www.connect.ab.ca/~dgolding/star_circle.html Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2000 17:17:36 -0600 From: David Goldingay Subject: STAR AND CIRCLE: "The Seeker's Fire", Episode 16, Envoi "STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE" EPISODE SIXTEEN: "THE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN" (disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture) * * * <> ISAS 'Shard of Night' -- returned to patrol. 17:15 hrs, Sept 5th, 2267. "Welll... I have to say you look better then you did before you went to bed." Nathan Gardinier wryly observed, as Julia reclined in her ready room chair, her latest cup of tea in hand. "The stand down we decided on after battle's end helped, then?" Julia opened her mouth, and then paused. Her sleep had been plagued by nightmares, to tell the truth... visions of alternate might-have-been's, and fears of what was yet to come. But she couldn't tell him that -- not yet, at least. "We may be rested again, Nathan... but all the sleep in the world isn't going to defend us against our enemies when the time comes. I get the feeling that this encounter was meant to be more of a test then anything else -- that our new enemies, whoever they may be, wanted to see how we'd react when they unveiled their ships and flung them against us." "That may be." Gardinier finally agreed. "All the same... maybe they've been scared off by what happened today. After all, only two of the five ships they fielded survived the battle." "The two *largest*." Julia reminded him. "Also probably the newest and fastest. Nicholas and his people are going over the records of the battle -- and he went so far as to suggest that the other three ships may have only been prototypes... and that the two ships that escaped might have been the first of their main production line." "The first, huh?" Gardinier snorted. "So you think there's someone out there building whole squadrons of these things? If that's true..." "If that's true -- they'll be back, Nathan... and soon. And we have to be ready when that happens." "We will be." the other Ranger promised. "Every month now new ships are coming off the production lines at Minbar -- new strike cruisers and second-generation White Stars to add to our forces. When those ships return, Julia... we'll be ready for them." "l sure hope you're right." The questions neither of them had wanted to discuss remained unasked, however -- what did the powers-that-be behind those ships want? And how far would they go to achieve those ends? "So where are you bound next?" Gardinier shrugged. "Oh, here and there -- but to start with, we're off to Babylon 5. Seems that the High Council wants us to take part in some sort of wargame that Sha'vei'e Pratchett and Lanniel have organized..." * * * Medbay. 17:40 hrs. "So you're sure she's all right?" Fenric asked again. "Other then a case of shattered nerves and the dehydration that all three of you suffered during the course of your imprisonment... yes, reasonably sure." Veyshahk allowed, as Courtney finished putting on her uniform in the other room. "And while I agreed with our captain's request to keep you in Medbay overnight for observation, all of my observations suggest that none of you have suffered any lasting harm from your encounter with the enemy. As such, Hor'vai Fenric, you are now cleared to return to active duty." "Told you so." Courtney archly observed, as she and Fenric left Medbay together. "Thanks for worrying about me, though." "Our friends are few and far between out here, Miss Ellis. We are Rangers, and we have to stick together. And now that the doctor has alleviated my concerns, perhaps..." "Dinner?" Courtney inquired. "The food the doc gave us during our stay wasn't, um, the tastiest onboard... if you know what I'm saying?" A smile crept onto Fenric's face. "On that point, we are agreed, Miss Ellis. Lead on, then... and I shall follow." * * * Elsewhere, a junction between hyperspace and realspace was once again opened... and shortly thereafter the two surviving warships under Prein's command entered the rendezvous point... and they were not alone. Far from it, as a matter of fact. A few more minutes passed -- and then the Z'shailyl and his Favored Claw made their way onto the *largest* ship in the area... to find Guttricht Haaker waiting for them. Among others. "So..." Haaker observed, after Prein had explained how the engagement had gone, "The prototypes have served their purpose, then... while we have given the Rangers cause to believe that we can be easily defeated." A smile. "They will discover soon enough how wrong this assumption is." "We can justify the sacrifice of the prototypes at this time." another human in the room allowed. "But no more. The next time we take our ships against the Rangers, Haaker -- our backers would like to see a little more concrete proof that these ships can do what you and the others claim they can." "Be assured, Director... you will get it soon enough." Haaker promised. "We are almost ready to move." "And what of the Changeling's hybrid warship?" the other man challenged. "What of Gideon and his *Excalibur*? How do you explain their unexpected appearance?" "You would speak of technicalities, while I speak of manifest destinies?" Haaker snorted. "Both Tikopai and Gideon, as well as their respective crews and ships, will be dealt with at the appropriate time, and *in* the appropriate place. Our pieces are in place, Director -- all of them. And when the time comes -- the princess will learn that even the prettiest apple can have a worm hiding inside it." * * * Next time - While Julia and her Rangers investigate a ancient First Ones artifact that just *may* hold a clue to where the plague cure can be found, Nicholas receives another, and this time, far more *disturbing* message from Earth. "A Place to Call Home" - the 17th episode of 'Star and Circle' -- coming soon! http://www.connect.ab.ca/~dgolding/star_circle.html