The Changing World
Jeffrey Sinclair was waiting at the checkpoint when the Earth Force Captain arrived. He smiled genially. "Captain Sheridan! Welcome to Babylon 5."
John Sheridan nodded and replied pleasantly, "Thank you. How are you holding up?"
Sinclair sighed and said, "It has been an adventure. Luckily we haven't had another attack, but the same ones that invaded us have hit a few other races and worlds. We've even started to see some refugees."
Sheridan nodded. As they walked through he saw the very short people who were manning a station. "And what is up with that?" He nodded toward the small beings.
Sinclair chuckled. "They are, in English, goblins. They are a catchall – they tend to find what our security misses. So far they have prevented several weapons and several vials of poisons from being smuggled on to the station. We can't duplicate their methods and so for the moment I have hired them."
Sheridan was curious but not that interested. "I need to arrange a meeting between the Captains of all the EarthForce ships and your command staff. I was sent to assist in whatever the hell is going on. I also have a few things to give out courtesy of the new President and the Joint Chiefs."
Sinclair ruefully acknowledged that. He didn't think award ceremonies were particularly important at the moment but orders were orders. "EarthForce only or open to guests?"
Sheridan paused. "Actually, it might be a good idea to have the available representatives from the League that are available as well as whatever members of the Babylon 5 Advisory Council as well as the additional allies that you have secured."
Sinclair said, "When would be a good time?"
Sheridan looked at his watch. "Well, 24 hours from now would be a good time. So, tomorrow at 15:00?"
Sinclair considered that. "Yes, that will be fine. We will have it in the Observation Dome. And then we can go to my office for a meeting – or the War Room I have set up nearby."
And so, at 3:00 in the afternoon, Captain John Sheridan looked out at the gathered people. The other Earth Force captains had been ordered to defer to Sheridan and Sinclair.
There were quite a few off-duty Earth Force personnel there as well. Garibaldi, running security for the gathering, was on-duty. Also on duty were goblins who were making certain no unaccounted-for weapons were present.
The various League Ambassadors that had returned were present, as well as Delenn and Neroon of the Minbari with their guards. Curiously, one of the guards was standing with the Slayer contingent. They were with Buffy and Harry, who also had several wizards with him. Ragnok stood with these as well.
The Minbari were not happy that he was running this as they still had some bad blood with an incident with the Warrior Caste's war with the Humans but they kept their peace.
Kosh had also deigned to attend.
SG-1 was standing with a few Jaffa including the captain of the Ha'tak.
John Sheridan stood at a podium which had been placed near the front. "Thank you all for coming. In recent days all of you have seen the things happening at Earth Central. All I can say about that is: We are cleaning up our own house. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as the newly-appointed President of the Earth Alliance Susanna Luchenko wanted to acknowledge Babylon 5 and its command staff for their sacrifice and to recognize the place it has within the conflict that many worlds now find themselves involved with. And so, I would ask Commander Sinclair and Lieutenant Commander Ivanova to step forward."
Sinclair and Ivanova moved forward. They had thought that they were being given some medal or another – Susan actually wondered if she had deserved it because, before assistance had arrived, she had been pretty much an emotional wreck as she sent out her distress call.
Sheridan moved from the podium and stood front of the two. "ATTENTION TO ORDERS." At that, everyone who was Earth Force snapped to attention. The Warrior Caste Minbari, recognizing the nature of the ceremony, also stood at attention. They were joined by the wizards and slayers.
"The President of the Earth Alliance acting upon the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity, and qualities of Commander Jeffrey David Sinclair. In view of these special qualities and his demonstrated potential to serve in the higher grade, Jeffrey David Sinclair is promoted to the permanent grade of Captain, Earth Force Space Command. By Special Order of the Earth Alliance Secretary of Defense." With that, Sheridan looked to the side. The small box which contained the proper insignia was open and he took it and handed it to Sinclair.
Sheridan faced Ivanova and repeated the same.
"The President of the Earth Alliance acting upon the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity, and qualities of Lieutenant Commander Susan Andreovna Ivanova. In view of these special qualities and her demonstrated potential to serve in the higher grade, Susan Andreovna Ivanova is promoted to the permanent grade of Commander, Earth Force Space Command. By Special Order of the Earth Alliance Secretary of Defense." Sheridan handed the insignia to Susan.
"I will now administer the Oaths of Office. Commander, repeat after me."
"I, Susan Andreovna Ivanova, having been appointed a Commander in Earth Force Space Command, do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Earth Alliance against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God."
Sinclair's was almost identical except it was for Captain and he swore instead of affirmed.
Once the promotions were done, Sheridan, acting as Master of Ceremonies allowed the people in the room to mingle. They were told there would be a special message at 3:30.
At 3:27, Sheridan got everyone to settle down. He activated the monitor. Those gathered were shocked when the Earth President appeared on the screen.
"Hello. I am the President of the Earth Alliance, Susanna Luchenko. I asked that Captain Sheridan bring all of you together so that you can hear this announcement, which is being sent out on ISN and other Interstellar channels." Glancing only briefly at the text of her speech, she began.
"As of this date, August 17, 2260, in full meeting the Earth Senate has authorized the Office of the President to notify all citizens of the Earth Alliance, all allies, and all races everywhere of the following: 1) The race known by the name of 'Shadows' did, without provocation, invade the Earth Alliance Outpost of Babylon 5 with the goal of destroying it or taking it over; 2) The race known by the name of 'Shadows' have, through their agents, attempted to manipulate the Earth Alliance by means of the assassination of Earth Alliance President Luis Santiago and other acts of sabotage; 3) The race known by the name of "Shadows' did assist criminal elements within Earth Central in an effort to cause the Earth Alliance to become ineffectual and unable to act; 4) The race known by the name of 'Shadows' did do these things by remaining hidden and without a Declaration of War or other recognized legal instrument on conflict. Therefore I, Earth Alliance President Susanna Luchenko, implementing the Articles of War as laid out by the Earth Senate, do hereby declare that the Earth Alliance is now in a state of War with the race known by the name of 'Shadows' and all of its allies. Earth Alliance shall be in a state of War until this enemy has been defeated, as attested by Earth's duly authorized representative at Babylon 5."
She turned to the side, off camera, and made a cut sign. "Okay, now that that broadcast is over, I have orders. Captain Sinclair, step forward."
"Yes, Madam President."
"Captain Sinclair. This conflict, while requiring much work here to ensure that elements put in place by the former President do not hinder our efforts, will mainly see other places as the primary theatre of war. As a result, Earth needs a commander that it can trust. While I acknowledge that your primary designation is commander of Babylon 5, you are ordered to give over day-to-day operations of Babylon 5 to Commander Ivanova so that you can act as primary command of our forces that are not directly defending Earth and its colonies. You are hereby given the wartime brevet rank of Admiral. You shall coordinate with the other races and prosecute this war as you see fit, ensuring that we achieve victory. You will answer to me through the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Do you understand?"
"I understand and accept, Ma'am."
"Good." She turned to look at Sheridan. "Captain Sheridan. As a decorated war hero and an experienced Captain, you are installed as Admiral Sinclair's Second-in-Command. You shall lead the Earth Force resources that are brought to bear in the prosecution of this war. You are hereby given the wartime brevet of Vice Admiral and answer to Admiral Sinclair, and through him to the Joint Chiefs and myself. Do you understand?"
"I understand and accept, Ma'am."
"Good. To all those listening, I wish you luck. I will say that any who wish to fight at our side against these Shadows should coordinate through Admiral Sinclair. He has full authority to act and can call forth resources as necessary. While the neutrality of the Babylon sector is recognized, there is one thing that must be announced: To any who would side with the Shadows – you have exactly 12 Earth-Standard hours to declare yourself or retreat from Babylon 5 and any other Earth outpost or you will be treated as an enemy agent and arrested as such. Any who declare themselves must accept whatever restrictions that Admiral Sinclair orders. Good day."
With that, the broadcast cut off.
It took a few hours, but agreements with the Vorlons and Minbari were reached which allowed Babylon 5 to operate as a forward staging area despite its neutral status.
Marek informed Sinclair that they would be heading down to the planet below. "What's down there?"
Marek smirked. "Something that belongs to itself. There is a Great Machine built into Epsilon 3. It has a caretaker which has recently been replaced with a Minbari who was near the end of his life. There is quite a bit of power – but any race claiming it would have too much of an advantage. That is why there are defenses which would destroy even the Omega squadron at hand."
Sinclair was shocked. There had been no hint of any installation on the planet. "And your delegation will be accepted?"
"I've already made arrangements. I need to ensure that there is a way that those I brought can get home – so I will tell you what I will tell almost no one else who has a home within this dimension: I know how to connect different dimensions – or have access to those who can anyway. You know the goblins that came with the Tar'ri?" Sinclair nodded. "They are, amongst other things, bankers. And I helped establish the 1st Interdimensional Savings and Trust."
Sinclair was agog. "So you're going to connect to their home dimension through a bank?"
Marek shrugged, still smiling. "That will be up to them. Epsilon is a newer star and Epsilon 3 is a newer world. They might attempt to terraform it – put life on a world where it didn't develop. They may just use is as a waystation. That will be up to them."
Sinclair sighed. "Well, I'll allow it. There isn't much I can do to stop it. At some point, I would like to talk to this Minbari …"
"Draal."
"Minbari, Draal, who is acting as caretaker."
"I'll mention it. I'll ask him to contact you."
Later that day, one of the Al'kesh transport carriers took the leaders of the Tau'ri down to the surface. The Jaffa pilot, as well as SG-1, were astonished at the passage which led down into the surface of the world.
They were all astonished at the vastness of the systems found within. The sheer scope of it was outside of their experience. They were met by one of the caretakers. "Ah! There you are! Follow me. Za'thrus will show you to where you will meet with Draal."
He turned and started walking. Those following were a little struck by the matter of fact tone and, perhaps, paused a little longer than necessary. The alien stopped and turned. "Come! Come!" The Alien turned and seemed to be muttering to himself. They noticed that the alien seemed to treat them almost as unruly children. Some were offended, others amused.
They finally met with the holographic Draal. Marek noticed that he was noticeably even younger than he had been. His wrinkles were all disappearing and his seemed more hale.
Negotiations were fairly easy. A contingent of goblins were directed to the additional shaft which had been created but was rarely used – it had been kind of a back door which could have been used by the builders to retreat if they had been interrupted in building the Great Machine. It had access to the Great Machine which Draal could control but this was at a very deep level.
The goblins almost immediately started planning a traditional Gringotts facility – and the Great Machine access would be in what would become one of the deepest vaults.
Daniel had been tasked with taking the initial records of commonly found and unprotected technologies through Universe 1A and then into their own dimension. What was common tech was still far more advanced than what the Earth they came from had. The visitors hadn't negotiated fully yet as regards more sensitive techs.
The Tau'ri contingent, with Sinclair's reluctant agreement, had decided that while such things would be valuable, until Earth Central was cleaned up a bit the tech might be misused. The first thing that Sinclair was about to send back to Earth Central was the tech involving gravimetric propulsion which would also include artificial gravity; this was what he got for giving over a local database of "common" tech.
The tech that the Tau'ri had regarding more efficient power reactors and systems was not included yet. Neither was any shield technology.
Another thing that the visitors noted: What the locals called Quantium 40 was related to what the Tau'ri called Naquadria. Quantium 40 was much more lethally radioactive but the Tau'ri were interested because the places were the raw Quantium ore was mined might also yield Naquadah; places where the locals considered the Quantium ore "too impure to be mined profitably" might yield places where Naquadah could be found. This was not something they were broadcasting.
Daniel Jackson was greeting the representatives in Universe 1A. They were impressed that he seemed to understand them – at least far enough to greet them properly.
Marek, who was observing this, finally said, "You know that extra gold that you have made for me within the local enocomy? Well, I have something I would like to buy."
"Oh?" his account manager asked.
"Yes. Very soon we will have to negotiate passage for a bunch of wizards, slayers, and others between the new portal and their home – which is the dimension which yielded the Key which allows you to operate your Interdimensional bank. He comes from that dimension."
Sharpknife nodded. "I see. What does that have to do with purchasing?"
"Well, the new portal is on another world – Epsilon 3 – and not Earth, though it exists there. I brought through from his dimension," he motioned to Daniel, "a starship, the smaller transports it included, and a whole bunch of people. I don't want them to be stranded if I get called away – and they can't leave the ships behind."
"And how can we help with that?"
Marek smirked. "Do you remember the four trunks I purchased which held a few square miles of dirt and water and plants which I needed to use to preserve a certain group of aliens and the native flora and fauna? I would like to purchase one more of those trunks to be used as transport for the ship and its contents. The ship is almost half a mile tall and wide and long. The big problem is that while the trunks could be expanded to allow access for large animals and equipment to move the contents, I don't know if you can get something that size in and out."
Sharpknife sat back and considered. "I believe the openings are limited to fifty yards at the moment. I don't know if we could devise a system to encapsulate such a large item. Being able to carry such a thing is possible – it's how to get it in and out which is the problem. Can it be shrunk?"
Marek considered that. "Is there a rune ward which could be placed around something to apply a shrinking charm and to allow one to be released?"
Sharpknife replied, "I will get our enchanters to work on the problem. For the moment, devise plans which assume that we can't but if we can then it will be a bonus. Though you will lose a bit more of that gold you have collecting as we research it."
Marek shrugged. "As long as the accounts get a cut of profits if I pay for the development of such a system."
"I will bring it to my manager."
Details were worked out and Daniel was finally allowed to move on to the newly-created portal to his own dimension and universe. He then traveled to IOC command and debriefed his superiors on what had been happening as well as turning over the accumulated reports and data which he had brought.
It helped that the portals were not time linear necessarily. According to the local time, Daniel had only been gone a few hours whereas he knew he and the others had actually been gone over a week.
Needless to say, the treasure trove of tech, specs, and possibilities were being eyed greedily by those he was debriefing. The "holographic letters" which contained the reports were some of the biggest hits.
The reports of the local situation regarding the Earth that was where they were visiting harkened back to the NID and its methods – they were all very thankful that that mess had been cleaned up by the being that had brought the magicals, etc., to Earth.
Daniel was dispatched back to Gringotts, through Universa 1A, and back to the Epsilon portal with replies and orders.
The local Gringotts was sending a whole contingent of goblins to build the facilities that would become Gringotts Epsilon in the new dimension. Universe 1A negotiated a part of it and would send some of its own people.
Universe 1A contained a very prosperous Goblin Nation which had experienced a marked increase in births and therefore needed to expand anyway. Luckily, the goblins from each universe were from the same (dimensionally alternate) clans and there was a minimum of conflict.
An immediate effect was that Ragnok arranged for a permanent Ambassador to this dimension and to Babylon 5. Their homeworld was listed as "Epsilon 3." This provided much confusion and consternation in Earth Dome when it was reported.
A day after the opening of the portals, Londo Mollari arrived at Babylon 5. Londo was surprised at how well the station seemed to be doing and extremely nervous when he approached the Security checkpoint. The security officer checked his identicard as he said, "Welcome back, Ambassador Mollari."
"Yes. Thank you." Mollari paused. "I urgently need to make arrangements to speak to Com … er Admiral Sinclair. It has to do with the Earth President's announcement."
The security officer nodded. This was further up the chain than he was equipped to deal with. He linked it. "This is customs. I need to speak to the Chief."
The voice of Garibaldi came through. "This is Garibaldi. Go."
"I got the Centauri Ambassador who's checking in. He said he needs to see the Admiral ASAP."
There was a pause. "Hold him there for a moment. I'll send some guys to take him to see Sinclair right away."
"Roger. Out." He looked up. "Ambassador. Wait here and someone will be by to bring you to the Admiral."
Feeling nervous but showing his Centauri pride, Mollari nodded. "Thank you."
Soon, Mollari was walking with Zak Allen, Garibaldi's second in command, along with another guard who trailed them. They reached Sinclair's office. Sinclair himself showed up, having come from the War Room.
"Ambassador. You needed to see me." He waved the two guards out – they waited outside the office.
Mollari noticed that they were alone and then looked at Sinclair. "Yes. Your President said that any who were working with the Shadows had to declare themselves. While I am not involved – I do believe that the Emperor and Refa are receiving much support from them. And it is killing my world."
This, Sinclair decided, was likely to take a while.