Stacking the Deck
The Command Staff had paused the meeting when the Traveler had gone to get the other races. After first having Harry Potter review the report he was going to send to Earth Central (they wanted to ensure no inconvenient details got sent) he sent off his report.
Sinclair had also sent recall orders for the B5 staff that had been evacuated. They were operating with far too few people at the moment.
Sinclair also ordered the remaining security staff to expedite the identicards for their visitors – he wanted no ammunition for any interference when Earth Force came. Some had already been created. Luckily, this was something that was designed to be fairly quick for circumstances when aliens arrived en masse.
In short order, they had heard the message that the Vorlon and the Minbari were back. Sinclair was of two minds about that: Humans still held a grudge against the Minbari but they were a necessary presence.
The Minbari, unlike the Vorlon, had to come in through a security checkpoint. In addition to the normal personnel, there were also added goblins, slayers, and wizards assisting – B5 personnel were sorely undermanned.
The B5 security people were rather efficient. Each person's ID was checked and they were allowed to go through the screeners. The goblins, however, had added a ward. When some of the Minbari came through one goblin said, "Hold. You have a weapon?"
The guard paused and said, "Yes. I am a guard for the caste leaders."
The goblin looked to the local security officer. "Does this being have authority to carry a weapon?"
The security officer said, "Normally, no. But considering these are diplomats there is some leeway. I need to see the weapon."
The Minbari pulled out a small cylinder and, almost smirking, handed it over. The guard looked at this and then turned to the curious slayer he was paired with. He handed it to her and said, "What do you make of this?"
One thing that was unknown by the visitors and the local humans: Slayers had an instinctive understanding of weapons – any weapon. It was how they were made.
And so the slayer checked it over and, to the surprise of the Minbari watching, held it correctly and twisted her wrist just so. The small cylinder expanded out into a long staff.
The Minbari watching said more seriously, "It is called a Denn'bok. It is a respected and venerable weapon."
The slayer nodded and, moving to a clearer space nearby, performed a kata that was normally designed for a quarterstaff. She performed it at full speed. The watching Minbari were quite agog at that.
When she had finished, she flicked her wrist again, collapsing it, and moved to hand it back to the Minbari. As she did so she said, "A bit light for my taste – I am used to an oak staff when I use one – but over all a competent weapon wielded properly."
The Minbari stared at her as he clipped the pike back to where he carried it. "Can I ask your name?"
The Slayer replied, "Elizabeth of the Shersberg family. My friends call me Lisa. And your name?"
"Rastenn of the Night Walker Clan."
Knowing that they typical slayer impertinence was out of place she replied, "An honor to meet you."
"And you."
The security officer had done a quick check with Garibaldi over the link while all this was happening. "Okay. Your weapon is approved under the diplomatic status of your party. Please avoid using it outside of your official functions or there will an inquiry."
Rastenn nodded and finished moving through the security checkpoint. The remaining members with weapons were also noted though, like Rastenn, they were allowed to keep them.
The Minbari were a bit nonplussed that the weapons had even been noted – normally they were missed by security screenings. The goblins didn't miss anything.
Delenn, who had served as Ambassador to Babylon 5, was returned to the quarters she had used previously. The other Minbari were put in other quarters that Minbari had traditionally used – the beds could be adjusted to lay at an angle.
Kosh had also been returned to the Vorlon Ambassadorial quarters.
The Traveler went and met up with the wizards and slayers. "Okay. Any issues?"
The young Mugwump replied, "We are solidifying our status. Security is getting our group identicards as a priority. We are using the world of 'Altaira' as the name of our planet. We are now officially Tau'ri in the records. The house elves and goblins are listed as symbiotic races. The Jaffa are listed as an allied race."
The Traveler nodded. "That's workable. The location of Altaira, I assume, is listed as classified."
Harry smirked. "Yes. It helps that the Ha'tak can travel at hyperspace speeds without using what these people call hyperspace. They officially don't know where we come from – only that we acted on their distress call. The goblin contingent lists a master metals-smith as one of their numbers which explains our seeming ability to come up with currency so quickly – we also have raw gold, silver, and bronze to show them as the source material for what we 'accomplished so quickly'. We also transfigured a metal press on the ship to show them that we have the facility to do as we did. It might be a problem but we hope not. Sam is editing out any references to Earth from the data crystals for the technology we might 'trade' here."
Marek replied, "Well, that's all to the good." He sighed. "We are about to kick up a complete shitestorm. In about," he paused, "six hours, I plan to throw Earth and EarthGov into a complete tizzy. Omegas from Earth Force will arrive a couple of hours later – they are already on their way. We need to meet with the Minbari, the Vorlon, and the command staff in four hours to make a final decision."
Harry considered that. "I probably should make arrangements then. What are you going to be doing in the meantime?"
The Traveler replied, "Getting another ally up and running." He turned and went searching for Draal. The old Minbari had no clue that it was happening so fast, but that was the necessity.
The Traveler found Draal sitting with Delenn and her assistant. "Okay, Draal. Are you ready to go?"
Draal nodded and stood up. "Where are we going?"
"We are going to the planet below. Hidden under the surface is a vast complex with much power, much information – and used incorrectly is a serious threat. No single race can come into control of it or it will destabilize the entire galaxy. The current caretaker of the Great Machine is very near death. Luckily, he's not far enough gone that the self-destruct will trigger. He is even listening in to this conversation right now because I mentally alerted him. But there needs to be a new caretaker. The Great Machine will take care of you, extend your life. Allow you to learn all the tales, hear all the songs. You will still be able to communicate to anyone you like. But the Great Machine needs a caretaker and your real understanding and adherence to the third principle of sentient life makes you uniquely qualified. You will Serve."
Draal said his goodbyes to Delenn, who was almost in tears and said, "I am ready."
Marek nodded and transformed into his phoenix form. He concentrated on the small pocket of air he felt forming on the planet below.
Draal and the phoenix arrived in the chamber containing Varn, the current caretaker. Even as they arrived, Varn was opening his eyes. He saw the visitors and saw the phoenix transform back to the image of the being that had alerted him.
He felt relief. He had almost sent out a distress call two years earlier but he had been worried. Something told him it would have been a bad idea. And so he had conserved his strength, put the machine into a mode where it was concentrating on keeping him alive just a little bit longer. The heretic splinter of his race had been found by the Shadows and the tale of the Great Machine was found by them. Even now the Shadows were searching. He had been very near despair when he had heard the call from this new being. He had inspected the god, inspected his nature, listened to his words. And then he had felt hope.
He had received the message that a new guardian would be brought with a certain amount of relief and joy. He would not fail his sacred duty. He was very close to dying – but he was strong enough to install the new Guardian.
"Draal. This is Varn. He has been the guardian for 500 years but he is almost out of strength. He will assist you to become the new guardian. Are you ready?"
Draal replied, "I am ready." He turned to the one who brought him and said, "Thank you for giving my life purpose once more."
Marek nodded in acknowledgement and then flamed off. It would take a few hours to get Draal properly installed. With one less thing to worry about, he flamed off for one more small job.
That didn't take him much time, but he did have to surreptitiously move a few people around. .In truth, he hated using any type of compulsion – it went against his nature. Considering he was countering a similar effect, he didn't feel very guilty about it. He kept it to immediate effects and no long term attempts at changing attitudes, actions, or beliefs. He had run into far too many Dumbledores and others who had done that.
Finally, he was done. He Traveled back to Babylon 5 and he was just in time for the meeting that was about to take place.
Sinclair immediately got the meeting underway. "Okay. First of all, I would like to get everyone aware of who is here and involved. I am Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, Military Governor of Babylon 5 under the Babylon treaty." He pointed to Ivanova.
"Susan Ivanova, Lieutenant Commander, Babylon 5. I run day to day operations at Babylon 5." She looked to Garibaldi.
"Michael Garibaldi. Chief Warrant Officer. I head Babylon 5 Security."
"Dr. Stephen Franklin. Chief Medical Officer, Babylon 5. I run the Medlab facilities." He looked to the person next to him.
"Harry Potter. Tau'ri. Supreme Mugwump of the Confederation of Wizards and Slayers. I am the leader of the people who helped counter the invasion here from over two days ago."
"Buffy Summers-Potter. His wife. I am Queen of the Slayers – the title wasn't my idea. The Slayers are a group of women who have been one could say enhanced to fight the threats to our people."
"Ragnok. In Tau'ri parlance, the English word for my people is Goblin. I am the War Leader of my people, who have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with the Tau'ri. We specialize in metalsmithing, protections, and removing Dark residues." He smirked. "We also make excellent bankers."
"Faith Lehane-Longbottom. Senior Slayer. I had to leave my husband at home because someone had to mind the home front." She pouted at that. "I lead the Slayer teams."
"Jack O'Neil. Tau'ri. Yes – we have names very similar to your Earth names. I am second-in-command of our Homeworld's Stargate Command. I lead the premier team that is with me. I am what you would term Special Forces. I am an infiltration and combat specialist among other things."
"Sam Carter. Major. Stargate Command. Astrophysicist, Pilot, Engineer. I am the one who figures out the impossible and helps break the alien code that we run into."
"Daniel Jackson, Civilian Consultant to Stargate Command. Archaeologist, Linguist. I figure out esoteric languages and other things."
"Teal'c of Chaluk. Jaffa. I work with the Tau'ri. I am former Prime – War Leader – to an enemy of the Tau'ri. I listened to the words of my mentor and defected against him and all like him. I am a leader of all Jaffa who are free – and considered Shol'va – traitor – to all Jaffa still enthralled by the false Gods that enslave most of my people. I am a fighter."
Delenn, who had been quite fascinated by those already named spoke when she realized it was her turn. "Delenn of Mir, Minbari Religious Caste. Ambassador to Babylon 5."
"Coplann of the WindSwords. Minbari Warrior Caste." To him, that was all that needed to be said.
"Neroon, of the StarRiders, Minbari Warrior Caste."
They had left Shakiri at home to defend against any incursion.
The next being in line just said, "Kosh."
The Traveler rolled his eyes. "Kosh, Naranek – a leader of the Vorlon people." He paused and turned to the Vorlon. "Your people love being cryptic far too much." He turned back. "Anyway, I am Marek Illumian – which means Fury of the Light. I am a Dimensional Traveler and, among other things, a Wizard. I tend to save people. I was the one who brought the Tau'ri and allies here to help counter the invasion by the Shadows. They, for to most part, are repaying their debt from my already saving their world."
Those not of the Tau'ri considered that for a long moment. Sinclair then said, "Okay. We need to coordinate our offensive against the Shadows. Because we are already behind the times. There is no way that we can win this if we do not work together."
Marek said, "It's worse than you think. There is quite a bit that you are not aware of."
Sinclair turned to him. "Please enlighten us then."
Marek sighed. "Well, first of all, much of what has been going wrong on the Galactic level is due to manipulations from behind the scene from the agents of the Shadows. The death of the Earth Force president, for example, was engineered by the then Vice-President with their assistance. The Centauri subjugation of the Narn was also their work. They are trying to ensure that those who are the greatest threat are eliminated early. The Minbari, along with the Vorlons and an alliance of First Ones, defeated the Shadows long ago – a thousand years. The Shadows have a history of coming out every thousand or ten thousand years and kicking over all the anthills. They start wars and get whole races destroyed until they are defeated whereupon the go and hide for a while. It last happened a thousand years ago."
He sighed. "However, there was a critical moment which would have worked to decrease their strength for this current round: The Minbari lost their largest forward base – the one which they used to coordinate the fight against the Shadows. That lost opened the door for the survival of far too many ships before the Shadows eventually were defeated due to a desperation ploy. As a result – this cycle is seeing a far bleaker position than in the past. Even the Vorlons don't have the resources this time. This is, perhaps, the most critical conflict in the history of the galaxy."
Susan Ivanova, who had been listening, finally asked a question which was bugging her. "If the Shadows always eventually get defeated – why the hell do they do this? What the hell do they want?"
Marek looked at her for a long moment and then looked at the Vorlon. Kosh, feeling embarrassed for his whole people, turned away, giving silent consent in the form of withholding protest.
Marek looked back at Ivanova. "Quite simply they don't want anything. They just want to incite war to see who survives and who succumbs."
"But why?" she was still confused.
"Because they think that they are serving life by culling the weak. In a sick and twisted way (according to our viewpoint) they want to help you."
Everyone (except Kosh) looked at him in complete shock and incredulity. Garibaldi finally said, "Huh?"
Marek sighed, "Well, several billions – and that is billion with a B – years ago, the universe brought forth something new: Sentient life. Naturally immortal, these beings grew up, explored their environment, and tried to learn what their place in the universe was. The problem was: Unending life tends to be … static. It doesn't change much. It doesn't grow. It tends to stultify. And so later generations started being born long-lived but now mortal. And as older races went as far as they could, they found younger races and tried to be like big brothers. They taught them things, got them going, and then sent them off into the universe. And, at a certain point, those older races tended to evolve past their physical form and become beings of pure energy."
He looked at the Tau'ri. "Very soon you would have learned or you will learn that your people are a second evolution of the people who built the network you currently use to travel the galaxy. The first evolution, the Ancients, ascended. They have a policy of non-interference. Others who have ascended lord over the mortals because they desire their worship. You have a few years before you run into them – this fight is a good preparation."
He turned back to the table at large. "Anyway, as older races evolved, the new oldest races take over, teach the younger races, and the cycle repeats. Some of the races don't want anything to do with the cycle, others volunteer. The last remaining 'guides' if you will are the Vorlons and the Shadows."
Everyone looked over at the Vorlon who was deliberately looking away.
"The problem is they have diametrically opposing viewpoints: Order and Chaos. At some point, the original purpose was lost and now they are just as caught up in the cycle as the other races. The Vorlons, who prefer order and learning as a means of advancement, try to keep the Shadows from killing off the younger races. The Shadows try to kill off any they consider too weak to survive." He sighed again. "It's a mess."
He looked around. "Make no mistake: This current war must be fought – and it must be won. Or you will all die. But winning might not be exactly what you are envisioning as victory. To truly get out of this, you people will eventually have to … understand your way out of it. Kosh," he said looking at the Vorlon, "is one of the voices who preach reason and restraint. If he is taken out, the rest of the Vorlons would decided that the only choice would be to disinfect the galaxy of the stain of the Shadows – and hope the next evolution will come soon enough to give them purpose again. And the only way that you can convince the Volrons that it is worth showing restraint is if you become effective against the gathering horde at your doors. People – you are going to have to learn to win."
Kosh had turned when the God had started talking about him personally. And when the explanation was done, he nodded at Marek to acknowledge the truth of what was said.
Everyone contemplated what was said for a long moment. Garibaldi finally said, "So – what the hell do we do now?"
Marek replied, "Well, the first thing that I am going to do is to help burn the infection out of EarthGov. In about," he looked at the wall clock, "an hour the Earth President will make a very grave mistake. One that will cause him to get arrested – as long as the right people act first. And I've stacked the deck against the wrong people getting the jump on it. Through some stroke of coincidence every important or influential person in EarthGov who is a part of the conspiracy that brought down Santiago will be in a high-level, do-not-disturb meeting with others of their type. And when the man who is the Shadow's main agent contacts the Earth President to find out how the plan to take Babylon 5 out of the equation failed, Clarke will accidentally hit 'broadcast' on his security system rather than 'private'. And all of the good officers will just happen to be listening in to the ISN feed that this private call will go out on. This means that on an immediate basis, EarthGov and Earth Central will be in a world of confusion, but this will freeze the conspirators and allow those who need to do so to act. And public opinion will support those who take down the conspiracy. I am about to manipulate the 14 billion people in the Earth Alliance and quite a number of the other races. Babylon 5 will be seen as the icon of hope that it truly can be. And the biggest obstacle – an obstructionist EarthGov – will be out of the way."
Everyone looked at Marek Illumian and his smug smile. In that moment it fully dawned on them that they were playing a might higher-staked game than even they had been aware of.