From David_Finnigan_at_sos08408@ccgate.sos.state.il.us Thu Apr 4 23:35:45 1996 Date: Thu, 04 Apr 96 16:20:51 CST From: David Finnigan To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: Triple cross pt 1 of 5 The following story is my first Babylon 5 story and was written before we learned more information about Morden and the Shadows. Hope you enjoy. It takes place sometime after A spider web in the web and before shadows of Zha a dhum( I know, I know I mispelled it) TRIPLE CROSS PART 1 OF 5 "Tell me Garibaldi, have you ever wondered: why the Centauri gave you Earthers Jumpgate technology?" "The thought has never really crossed my mind. Perhaps out of immense generosity?" Londo snorted at the Security Chief's sarcastic remark and belched a cloud of alcoholic breath. It was clear from his breath and speech that he had had too many drinks of the fine Argellian wine from the cup in his hand. the loud music and hedonistic atmosphere of the 'Hanging Gardens Tavern' in the Babylon 5 Station had loosened the tongue--more so than usual--of the Centauri Ambassador. His bombastic uniform and bacchanal drinking habits were the stuff of mess deck rumors and cocktail conversations throughout the Station. "No, No, my dear Mr.. Garibaldi, it was definitely not--how do you say--an altruistic gift. No, it was clearly for matters of state. Let me tell you what I have told no other person." Garibaldi sat down at the stool next to the ambassador, ordered himself a 7-Up, and prepared himself for what would obviously be a long story. The Centauri Ambassador was dressed in his peacock style Diplomatic corps uniform with the Medal of the Emperor's Legion proudly pendant from around his neck. "When we first met you Earthers, you were completely in a mess; your planet polluted and your colonies just barely hanging on. Even your attempts to colonize the states were seen as the last gasps of a dying race." "So you say Londo by that was a long time ago." "A hundred years to be exact but let me continue," the Centauri Ambassador adjusted his waistcoat and took another long deep draught from his cup. "Now where was I, ah yes, first contact with the Earthers. You Earthers were so primitive when we first met you--but you had great potential. You had progressed so q1uickly since you had first appeared on your planet. Your culture was vibrant and dynamic. Your scientists would soon have discovered Jumpgate Technology and maybe beyond--who knows--?--Yes?" The Centauri gestured with his wine glass. Garibaldi gave an impatient sigh, "Is there a point to this history lesson?" Ambassador Molari put down his glass and stared right into Michael' eyes suddenly appearing very sober, "Yes, there is, We gave you Jumpgate technology so that you would become like us." "What--I don't understand," Garibaldi exclaimed his face taking on a worried look." "Yes, I'm sure you do not. Where do you think we got it?" "I've never really thought about it. I just thought you had invented it after going through the same stages we had." Londo's voice suddenly hushed as he drew nearer to Garibaldi, "No we did not. And that is exactly the point. We never went through the stages you did. All of us Centauri, Narn, Minbari, Drazi all got it from the same place. As for the Centauri, we got it from the records and artifacts of an ancient race left on our homeworld, Centauri Prime, and its system. A race no longer surviving but whose technology lives in us all. In some ways we, Centauri, received it at the moment we gained the wisdom to question the nature of the stars. That is why the Centauri were so amazed at how far your space technology had progressed. You were even sending ships to the stars without Jumpgate technolgy." "For all the good it did us," snorted the Security Chief. "That's exactly the point," Londo stated knowingly. "It did do you a lot good. We were shocked and then frightened by what you had accomplished and how fast you were progressing. You see, Garibaldi, we are an old and long-living race. Change and progress do not come easily to us. Unlike you humans who live such short lives, for all the rest of us, our long lives have the draw back on the damper they place on the inevitability of change. We could not allow you to surpass us and so we gave you the curse. We gave you what you most desired." "That's ridiculous it truly has been a gift to us, our technology has progressed, we have explored and colonized new worlds, and our way of life has improved." "Yes, my friend that is true. But what new inventions and discoveries can you point to that are not in reality a transplant from our technology transfer or derived from it?" Garibaldi remained silent. "You see--once Earth acquired Jumpgate technology, all indigenous research on other methods of propulsion and technology withered and disappeared." Garibaldi could feel a chill going down his spine, "So why are you telling me this?" "Because my dear Mr. Garibaldi, when you have a device given to you that you do not completely understand sometimes it has hidden backdoors." Garibaldi gave him an impatient look. The Centauri Ambassador pulled himself up in his seat and leaned very close to the ear of the Security Chief barely whispering, "Someone is using our Jumpgates for their own purpose without our consent and we need your help." *********** End part 1 of 5 From David_Finnigan_at_sos08408@ccgate.sos.state.il.us Thu Apr 4 23:35:52 1996 Date: Thu, 04 Apr 96 16:21:09 CST From: David Finnigan To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: TRIPLE CROSS pt 2 of 5 PART 2 of 5 "Thanks for the history less but was there a point to all this?" Captain Sheridan asked, sitting at his chair behind the station commander's desk cluttered with data pads and reports. His handsome good looks made him too young to be wearing a full bird on his epaulets. At 38, he was Earth's youngest Earth Force Captain and only hero during the Earth-Minbari war. "Yes, there was Captain, Londo says that someone not Centauri, Narn, Minbari, or Earth, and not Vorlon--he thinks-- is using their Jumpgates to navigate directly in Hyperspace. Unlike the manner the major races use the gates, this unknown race is using the whole Jumpgate Web of all races to navigate and travel in Hyperspace for extended durations." "I still don't understand you, Mr.Garibaldi," the Captain rose and paced to the other side of this office and stared out the porthole to main deck below. "Why would this be of such concern that the Centauri want--or for that matter need our help?" "Because you see, Sir," Garibaldi took a long deep breath, "I've known Londo--the Centauri Abassador--only a short time but during that time we've developed a friendship and trust. Well, here goes. You see Sir, Londo says that the explosion which destroyed Earth Force 1 was staged, that President Santiago is not dead and that someone, using the Jumpgate navigation system, spirited him away, and last of all the Centauri government knows where he is." "What!" Captain Sheridan wheeled around, "is he sure?" "That was my reaction and he gave me this to prove it." The Security Chief reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flat object, pushed a stud on its side and release from a data port a small clear object handing it across to the Captain. "A photo of the President?" The Captain asked half as a question. "I don't know; I haven't looked at it yet." Captain Sheridan place the Centauri Ambassador's data crystal in to the port on his desk. the viewscreen on the side wall flashed dot life with large angular and rough looking letters in a purple color. The view faded to a space-side look of a planet or planetoid. Its surface was red and inhospitable. Suddenly the view zoomed closer and closer at a high rate of speed until the picture resolved into a view of 3 individuals, 2 whose features and form were covered by loose clothing and equipment but a third in the middle could be seen clearly. "Looks like your were right, Skipper." "But why, why kidnap the President, and why make it look like an accident?" "Londo, didn't know, but look there's more. In large bold letter, writing scrolled slowly across the screen: THE VIEWS JUST SEEN ARE FROM A FERRET CRAFT, PICTURES TAKEN APPROXIMATELY 4 EARTH WEEKS AGO. THE HUMAN IN MIDDLE IS PRESIDENT SANTIAGO, THE 2 INDIVIDUALS ESCORTING ARE UNIDENTIFIED. After remaining a few seconds the view screen faded to black an snapped off. "What now?" "Londo didn't say, other than that he would get in touch with us after we had a chance to review the crystal. Captain if this is the President this could be major disaster." "Yes, Michael we do have a real problem," nodding his head, "I'll have to refer this to EarthDome. End of part 2 of 5 "Triple Cross" From David_Finnigan_at_sos08408@ccgate.sos.state.il.us Thu Apr 4 23:36:00 1996 Date: Thu, 04 Apr 96 16:21:24 CST From: David Finnigan To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: Triple Cross prt 3 of 5 Triple Cross pt 3 of 5 Just above him Londo could hear the blasting roars of the pumps for b5's catapult launching system. Presently, Delta squadron was undergoing flight ops and a combat patrol of the Station and the system. The deafening din would make it difficult to converse over the noise of the CAP exercise but would also make it difficult to for anyone to overhear by natural or artificial means his conversation with the alien lictor. Since Londo had first answered his cryptic question, 'What do you want?' his life and career had changed into a dangerous opportunity. The suave man with dark hair and features, so clearly a human yet not one of them. Londo thought of him as a lictor--one who goes before the real person with power carrying the symbols of office. He did not want to meet with him but he had cast the cards and his fate as the Technomage had hinted would decide the fate of many others. Would they really be his victims? The Centauri ambassador reached down to grab a handkerchief to wipe the perspiration the hot steam was beading on his forehead when noticed the lictor in front of him. "Ah there you are." "I didn't startle you did I?" the man asked, a sarcastic note in his voice that raised the hackles on the back of Londo's neck. Ambassador Molari shook his head, "You called this meeting what do you want." "I want to know what transpired in your meeting with Garibaldi. Everything went well, I presume?" "Yes, Yes, he took the bait but why you want to send them all the way to the rim is beyond me." "All in good time, my dear Ambassador, all in good time. You've indicated that you wish to see the glory of the Centauri republic restore. How can that be with the Earthers in their preeminent position? They must be cut down to size." Again, the sarcastic tone of Mr. Morden grated on the ears and he began to realize that the price of the favor was greater than the favor itself. "What do you mean, your one of them." The man only looked at him and smiled continuing, "I have another job for you. As promised you are to meet with the Earthers and provide the additional information." * * * "You called for this meeting, Ambassador, the agenda is up to you. What's on your mind?" Captain Sheridan began after everyone had taken a seat and the formalities had been concluded. The four of them were seated at the conference table in his office. "However, before you start, Ambassador, answer me this," The Station Commander started abruptly, "Why two meetings? This could have all been done with one or placing the information on the data crystal." The Centauri's features slightly tensed and the relaxed, "Yes, quite right Captain, but I do not know you so well; so I used Mr.. Garibaldi as--How shall I I say--a plenipotentiary." The Captain his head satisfied with the response but the Centauri Ambassador continued on, "There was also another reason. I took a great risk in my initial meeting with Mr. Garibaldi and I only just received authorization from Centauri Prime to discuss this with you. After the fact, but authorization never the less. Garibaldi and Sheridan remained silent waiting for the Ambassador to begin again. Captain Sheridan had a premonition that the meeting would produce more secrets for his collection. "Your President was taken by certain renegade officers in the Centauri military legions. It had been their plan to use him as the catalyst to begin a Centauri-Earth war, and during the havoc and dislocation caused by such a war conduct a coup d'etat and install one of their own as the new emperor. That conspiracy has failed," the Centauri stated with crocodile smile, " but we have still a loose ens, as you Earthers say, to tie down. During our raid on the base we presumed your President was located there. Londo shrugged his shoulder, "He was not." "Where is he then?" stated Sheridan a bit testily, "You should have consulted with us before you took this action." "I agree my dear Captain," the ambassador started placatively, "but I do not know or have control over what my government does. Please accept my apologies on behalf of the Centauri government. Nevertheless, we believe that the President was taken to a rim world based on records and transmission logs in their mainframe computer." The Centauri looked at Garibaldi and Sheridan pleadingly, " My government is deeply embarrassed about this incident but we do not have the resources to send a ship and a raiding party to the rim to rescue your President and, considering the circumstances, we feel it should be left to you." "That's just great, Ambassador Molari, you government screws up the rescue operation and you want us to bail you out," shouted the Station Commander, "Well, at this point, I have half a mind to tell you and your government where they can stick it." Shaking his head Captain Sheridan walked over to the port hole in his office and stared out at the decks below him while Londo seemed to shrink in his chair. "No Ambassador," Captain Sheridan spoke in a low voice with his back to the Ambassador and Garibaldi, "You will get exactly your wish. We'll send a ship and a commando team and I know exactly who to send." "Who?" Queried Londo visibly relieved that the Captain's anger had abated. "The Agamemnon, she's due in here for a resupply stopover and we can send her with the Team I'll request from Earth Force." End pt 3 of 5 Triple Cross