From: Alternate Universe Today Archivist Subject: Song of the Doom Sayers, Part 1: Nephilem by GreggHL@aol.com Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 22:32:25 -0800 Author: GreggHL@aol.com Title: Song of the Doom Sayers, Part 1: Nephilem Note: Please send any feedback to the above address. This is my second fanfic story, in no way related to the Scourge. The plot: Two years after the shadows and vorlons left the galaxy, a new, incredibly old extradimensional race appears, killing everything in it's path. Also brings back two old and dead characters. Babylon 5 and associated characters are the property of J. Michael Straczynski and Warner Brothers. Everyone else is mine. This is my second fanfic piece, and takes place after season 5, in 2263. Takes place two years after 'Into the Fire'. The Song of the Doom Sayers, part I: Nephilem 2263, on the border of Drazi space. A flight of patrol cruisers fly through the area, fighters flanking them. Suddenly, space opens before them, carrying through a fleet of ships never before seen. Sphere shaped fighter launch from these new destroyers, heading towards the Drazi battle group. The two fleets head towards each other, gunports opening. Laser beams fire from the drazi ships, deflected harmlessly by the shields of the new ships. Their guns charge, and a volley of pure, unadulterated power launches out, annihilating the Drazi ships in seconds. The spheres fly through the debris, hunting down and destroying the fighters, ignoring a distress beacon that flies away. Epsilon Eiridani. The space station Babylon 5 spins silently in space, starfuries on a standard patrol. Ambassador Delenn waits as the passengers on a recent arrival disembark. A minbari, in the uniform of a Ranger, walks over, bowing slightly. "Greetings, Enli'zah.", he says. "Anla'shok Inseval.", she says, "You have arrived in time for Marcus's ceremony." He nods. "I came as soon as I was able.", he says, "Marcus Cole was a good friend, and a great ally. May I see him, before the ceremony?" She nods, gesturing the way. "He is in Medlab.", she says, "This way." They walk out. Delenn watches as Doctor Franklin opens the cryotube, as Inseval walks over. "He's just about dethawed for the ceremony.", Franklin says, "Just like you asked, Delenn." Inseval kneels down to Marcus's level, clearing the hair from his ear. "Hasina.", he whispers. With a gasp, Marcus's eyes open. A flight of three White Stars swoop through the night. Right towards them flies a Drazi distress beacon. On the bridge, President John Sheridan sees a reading on the ships's radar, and spies the small glint of light. "Intercept that beacon and tractor it in.", he says, "Now." The White Star turns about, a blue glow of energy flowing out and grabbing the beacon, pulling it in as it flies away. Inseval gives off a small smile as he sees the others looking on in amazement. "Nice nap, Marcus?" "Feel like I've been asleep for years.", Cole responds. "One year, five months, to be exact.", Inseval responds, "You were too good at putting yourself into a healing trance. I finally figured what had happened, and woke you." "After a year and a half?!" "I was busy.", Inseval responds. Franklin slowly walks over, taking out his scanner and running it over him. "Everything is in order?", Inseval asks. "Pretty much.", Franklin says, "Body temperature's a bit low, but that's probably because of the cryo-storage." Marcus gives a look to Inseval. Inseval smiles, helping him up. "I think," Marcus says, "That we should cancel my funeral." "Agreed.", Inseval responds, "Any objections?" The White Star comes out of a jump point, flying towards the station at top speed. Sheridan sits in the bridge command chair, already having seen what was on the beacon. "We are within communication range, sir.", one of the minbari says. Sheridan taps his link. "Sheridan to command staff and ambassadors.", he says, "Meet me in the war room in thirty minutes." The ship increases speed as it heads towards Babylon 5. Thirty minutes later, Captain Lochely, Chief Allen, Mr. Garibaldi, Doctor Franklin, Delenn, and the other ambassadors are sitting around the war room table. The doors his open, and Sheridan walks in, holding a data crystal in his palm. "White Star two," he says, "Intercepted a distress beacon from a drazi patrol fleet. We've de-encoded it and transferred the message onto this data crystal. I think we have a new problem." He puts the crystal into the port, as the main screen turns on. It shows clear space, as the fleet and fighters moves along. Suddenly, space itself rips open, several new ships appearing from the rift. He can hear his wife gasp at the sight. A message is heard in panicked drazi, as the fleet opens fire, and the message ends. Sheridan turns to the assembled people. "Any i.d. on who that was?", Lochely asks. "It didn't match any silhouette in the White Star's computers.", Sheridan says, "Has anyone here ever seen something like that?" "Yes.", Delenn says. The assemblage turns. "But that was only a myth.", she says, "It was only one of my people's legends." "Ambassador," Ambassador G'kar says, "As I am sure the Shadows and the Drakh can assure us, myths are turning out to be very real." "Very well.", Delenn says, nodding, "It dates back to after the first Shadow War, a thousand years ago....... "It was said, that in the days following the victory at Zha'ha'dum, the Vorlons took Valen to their sanctum. They told him; 'There shall come a time, two years after the first ones have vanished, that a great enemy shall rain cleansing fire down up on us. So shall the end of days fall. They shall come in many, piercing the heavens and setting the people aflame. Death itself shall pour forth, obscuring the stars in the blackest night. Theirs shall be the blade that flails the flesh from bone. Theirs shall be the fang of the brazen beast. With a star-born fire, the universe shall be scoured of life. Their numbers shall darken the skies in their passing, and crush the breath from our people. We shall be torn asunder, infinitely, and we shall be bathed in our own blood. With a thundering cry, the dark days shall begin.' "Valen knew what this prophecy could do, what fear it could invoke, so he entrusted it's secrecy with the Sisters of Valeria. And with the Rangers, so we would be prepared for this war. And now, it seems that this prophecy has come true." Silence blankets the room. "Those ships are far more advanced then ours.", G'Kar says, "Look at the way they appeared! They pierced a hole into space, itself....... Delenn, have your people fought these beings, before?" "No.", she says, "We only know that they are far more advanced then even the Vorlons. And that they are aliens to our universe." "A parallel dimension?", Garibaldi asks, "Isn't that a bit weird, even for the Vorlons?" "The bottom line is," Lochely says, "Is that those ships destroyed a Drazi patrol group. That was an attack against the Alliance." "Agreed.", G'Kar says, "But listen to reason, Captain. If these are the beings of prophecy, we would be committing suicide by retaliating. What chance do we have against that?" "We have the White Star fleet.", Sheridan adds, "From what we saw, the aliens had the first shot. We don't know their full capabilities. I need everyone to relay this message to their respective governments. We have a new, hostile, and advanced race out there. And we need to stay together to beat them. Dismissed." The ambassadors, except Delenn and G'Kar, stand and walk out. Sheridan sits down, across from Delenn, who's obviously shaken. "There is more, about them.", she says, "The Vorlons had a name for them." "What was the name?" "It was in andrato.", she says, "T'thou'ten." She clasps her hands together. "Translated into english....it means 'Death Bringers.'" A few hours later. Marcus looks out of the window in the observational dome, as he hears the door open. "....So, how have the preparations for Marcus's burial gone?", he hears Sheridan say. "Well," Delenn responds, as the two walk in, "I had them canceled." Marcus turns to them. "Mr. President," he says, "Entli'zha." He sees Delenn smile, as Sheridan stands, slack-jawed. "As you can see," she says, "I would say I had a good reason." "How...?" "It's rather complicated.", Marcus responds, "I put myself into a healing trance when I used the machine. An old friend of mine realized what I had done, and brought me out of it. And if what I've been told is correct, you need as much help as you can get." Triban, a Drazi colony on the Inner Rim. Seven alien ships phase out of hyperspace, heading towards the planet. Suddenly, balls of flaring energy fire out, heading towards the planet. Explosions dot the surface. War room, three hours later. "We just got a message from the Drazi.", Inseval says, "There colony at Triban has been attacked by the aliens." "They set up a base there?", Sheridan asks. "It is believed they had a prefabricated base.", Inseval responds, "They removed the existing colony, and dropped their base on the planet." "Removed the colony?", Lochely asks. "The terraformed the planet with antimatter bombs.", Inseval responds, "No Drazi remain on the planet." Inseval sees everyone a bit uncomfortable with the news. "A sweep of the system found seven ships, but five more are on their way.", he says, "Five ships are the size of an Earth Omega-class destroyer. Two are the size of White Stars. A fleet has assembled to attack the system. We will attack at your order, Mr. President." All eyes turn to Sheridan. "No.", he says, "Not yet. I have another idea." "And that is?", Garibaldi asks. Sheridan turns to the covert operations chief. "Michael, I need you and a team of soldiers to infiltrate the base.", he says, "Delenn, can the aliens cut through minbari stealth technology?" "Not the present technology, no.", she responds, "I will have a cloaked transport ready within three hours." "Alright. I'm game.", Garibaldi says, "What do you need us to do?" "I need you to get inside that base," Sheridan responds, "And get us as much information as you can. If you find any prisoners, get them out of there. We'll put together a diversion to keep them busy. I just need you to choose a team." "I'm in.", Sergeant Zack Allen says. "I will go, to.", Inseval says. Several present security officers also volunteer. "Count me in.", Marcus chimes in. They look at him. "Look at it this way.", he says, "If Doctor Franklin's medical exams get any worse, I'll charge admission." A jump gate opens, ten white stars and two minbari heavy cruisers exiting it and heading towards the station. A transport exits the lead White Star, heading right into the main docking bay. Marcus checks the clips for his PPG rifle, swinging the rifle over his back and attaching the compressed pike to his belt. "I thought you didn't use guns.", Allen says. "We're traditional, Sergeant.", Marcus responds, "Not insane." He turns to Inseval. "Ready?", he asks. Inseval nods. "We go into battle, my friend.", he says, "Are you prepared?" "Pretty well, for a dead man.", Marcus responds, "Are you?" "We live for the One, we die for the One.", Inseval responds. "Entli'zah Veni.", Marcus concludes, "In Valen's name." They walk into the transport, the other soldiers following. The transport attaches to the White Star, as a jump gate opens. The fleet shoots through, the gate closing with a flash. Onboard White Star Two, Sheridan stands as the haze of hyperspace takes over. "Se'phelenn, time to destination?", he asks. The minbari woman at the navigational controls looks them over. "Six hours, sir.", she responds. Sheridan nods, turning to his ace in the hole. "Lyta, you ready?", he asks. She nods. "From what we understand, they might have similar technology to the Shadows.", she responds, "Telepathy might affect them." "They are more than just similar to the Shadows.", Delenn says, "The Shadows feared them. Worshipped them as Gods. Meaning these beings may have made the Shadows what they were." Lyta nods. "I hope you brought alot of telepaths, then.", she says. The alien armada orbits Triban, as the planetary base is made even larger. Suddenly, three White Star cruisers appear. Most of the fleet breaks off, in pursuit. The white stars turn and fly away, the enemy ships in swift chase. Suddenly, as they leave the asteroid belt of the system, a point of light grabs their attention. A jump gate expands, the energies slicing one of the ships in half as the rest of the armada exits, firing as soon as they appear. The other alien ships fly away from the planet, as White Star 2 flies towards the planet. "Shuttle is clear.", Delenn says, at the sensor controls. "Se'phelenn, turn us about.", Sheridan says, "Weapons, target and fire on the nearest alien ship." He turns to Lyta. "Ready?" "As I'll ever be.", she says, "Get me on a line of sight with it." The cruiser, nearly three kilometers long, takes up the screen. She narrows her eyes, focusing on the ship. Suddenly, the alien thoughts onslaught her mind. She sees them. Their true intent. She screams. The shuttle lands, the twenty soldiers out seconds after the ramp lowers. "We're about three hundred meters from the nearest human life signature.", Garibaldi says, "Split up. Zack, Marcus, Inseval, Dodger. You come with me. Everyone else, try to find the control center." They split up, as the five man team heads off into the building. "Keep sharp, people.", he says, "We don't know what's here." "We do now, Chief.", Zack says, "BUG!" They turn. Right there is a nine foot tall, eight legged and two armed insectoid creature, it's triangle shaped face containing four huge, glowing eyes and a rather sharp set of teeth. "Shoot it!", Garibaldi yells. They open fire, multiple PPG shots impacting on the alien before it collapses, a smoking heap on the ground. Garibaldi walks over, the PPG cooling down. "Well, we know what we're up against.", he says. A white star explodes from the alien onslaught, as a minbari cruiser blasts through one of the smaller alien ships. Sheridan helps Lyta get back on her feet. "What happened?", he asks. "These things....are too alien.", she says, "Pure and utter evil." "Too alien to confuse?" "Their ships aren't like shadow vessels.", she says, "They don't use a human as a CPU. They have entire crews. We have to stop them the old fashioned way." He nods. He looks to one of the people on the bridge. "Get her to a medic.", he says, and turns to weapons, "Keep us locked onto that ship. Fire, full power." The White Star turns about, firing on the second small ship, in pursuit. "Chief! We've got trouble!", the link blares. Garibaldi quickly taps it. "Johnson, get your people out of there.", he says, "Pull back!" "What about the prisoner?", Inseval asks. "Keep on going, people. Hopefully, whoever's here will have some information on the bugs." Suddenly, with a shriek, one of them appears, dropping down towards them. They open fire, killing it as it hits the ground. "How far?", he demands. "Thirty meters to the compound, chief.", Dodgeson responds. Suddenly, with a cry, an alien attacks from behind. Dodgeson brings up his PPG to fire, but the alien swings his clawed appendage at him, slashing through him easily. The soldier collapses, as Allen grabs him as he falls. The alien speaks. "*Your race is endangered.*", it says, "*There is nothing more to live for, man-creatures. Stand and be Judged!*" Marcus looks around them. They're surrounded, on all sides, by the aliens. He hefts up his weapon and opens fire on the ones in front of him. "Plow through!", Garibaldi yells, firing as they retreat, "Get back to the shuttle, people!" He continues firing as they retreat, clearing their path in a rain of fire. Suddenly, it's very quiet. "Chief!", Zack yells. Garibaldi turns. Then, an alien leaps from above. Marcus helps them get the wounded back into the shuttle. He sees Allen running out. "Where's Garibaldi?", he demands. "One....of the bugs got'im.", Allen gasps. "Get in the transport, sergeant.", Marcus responds, extending his pike as he runs back in. He rushes open the door, holding his pike in one hand, rifle in the other. "Garibaldi?", he yells, "Mr. Garibaldi?" Suddenly, he hears motion, behind him. He turns, as he hears growling, and fires. "Sir, the transport is leaving the planet.", Se'phelenn announces. "Good.", Sheridan says, "Give them a clear path." He looks out the viewport, as the minbari cruisers take out the last of the alien ships. "Sir, we're getting a communication from them, audio only.", Se'phelenn says, and Delenn walks over to him. "Put'em through.", Sheridan says, "Michael, report." "Sir, it's Zack.", Allen says, over the speakers, "You'd better have a med team waiting, because we've got some wounded here." "Any casualties?", Sheridan asks. "We've got two people missing.", Zack responds, "Marcus Cole and Chief Garibaldi." The remaining armada shoots away from the planet as the shuttle docks, one of the minbari ships opening a jump point. As more alien ships appear, they shoot through. Marcus comes to his senses, slowly. He sees that he's in some sort of cell. "Millions of years more advanced, and they still use prisons.", he says, "Some things are universal." He hears a small chuckle. "Who's there?", he demands, reaching for his pike. It's not there. "Show yourself.", he demands. A person steps forward, into the light. "Aren't you...." "Dead?", she asks, "Nearly was. The Shadows revived me, and gave me as an offering to these....things. Who are you?" "Marcus Cole, one of the Rangers.", he responds, "And you're....." "Yes.", she responds, "I'm Anna Sheridan." To be continued....... Feedback is welcome.