Aftermath and Reorganization
Admiral Jeffrey Sinclair was highly relieved to see his second-in-command. "Welcome back. What do you have for me?"
"We have a few Military telepaths that I have brought with me to place on different ships. They are arguing about the roll of Psi-Corps – but you get to deal with that. This is what General Hague gave me to give to you."
Sinclair accepted the data crystal. "What does it look like in Earth Dome?"
Susan looked thoughtful for a moment. "I don't know. They are on a wartime footing – but at the same time they are not. It's almost like business as usual with the normal politics and back room dealing. I admit – it worries me a little."
Sinclair nodded. He finally said, "I am extremely glad to see you back. I need your help."
"What's going on?" Susan asked. When they were alone, they were often far less formal than their rank dictated.
"Word has gotten out about the battle between Sheridan's group and the Shadows. It's made a few of the League members upset."
Susan was confused. "Upset? Why are they upset? Most of them are against the Shadows as well – a decisive victory against them is a good thing."
Sinclair sighed. "Yes. But the League is not happy that there is a younger race with so many ships that are as powerful as the Omegas when they operate at full power. They were all quite happy with the theoretical power of Earthforce. Since the Dilgar War, Earth has been seen as a benevolent protector type. It's why Babylon 5 has so much interest among the other races. But they were also comforted that the Minbari or the Centauri, if provoked, had enough power to prevent someone like Clark from pushing Earthforce toward expansionist plans."
Susan sat down heavily at the desk across from her boss. "That's just nuts. If anything, our crazies are almost always about excising any contact with other races or trying to control Humans – we're too individually contrary to present a united front for empire building."
Sinclair chuckled ruefully. "I know. But they see things like the Centauri conquering the Narn and assume we would do the same if we had the chance."
"We are the only ones who are fighting the Shadows no matter who they attack. The rest of them only react when they get attacked. If we don't, no one will." Susan sighed. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't." She looked at Sinclair. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"I need you to be the face of Earth's place in this battle."
She was confused. "What do you mean?"
Sinclair sat back. "While I am well respected for my place on B5, the fact that they saw fit to put me into a War Leader position makes the other races think that we were lulling them into a false sense of security. They don't have the information about what we are doing in all sectors. The Drazi don't know that we've helped Brakiri refugees. The Abbai don't know that we assisted in the defense of a Pak'ma'ra colony. We need to coordinate – and we need to inform."
"Okay. So what do you want to do about it?" she asked.
"You are, in a number of ways, more respected than even myself amongst the various Ambassadors. After your assistance in resolved the Drazi line of succession, they see you as legally one of them. The Abbai respect that you are a female in a position of obvious power. Many of the Ambassadors are more terrified of getting you angry than getting me upset. You don't take any bullshit and you don't speak bullshit. And they all know it." He grinned. "It helps that you are a very attractive woman as well."
She gave Jeffrey the gimlet eye.
"Anyway, I want you to do regular reports on Stellar Comm about things that can be reported. Refugee movements. Battles won and lost and reports of what plans are – as long as they don't endanger future missions."
Susan looked at Jeff in shock. "You're making me a PR woman! Get one of those bimbos who already do that job!"
"Sorry. They wouldn't respect a bimbo whose job it was to just look pretty. You are a Commander and a soldier. Can you imagine a warrior caste Minbari listening to what an airhead would be telling them?"
Susan huffed. "I've served as a soldier for years, worked my way up the ranks, to become a news reporter."
Sinclair shrugged still giving her a small smirk. "We all have to do our part."
She was annoyed as she left his office after being dismissed.
As soon as a couple of war cruisers from the Minbari showed up to help in the defense of Babylon 5, the Hat'ak moved out on a mission of its own.
"Lord Potter. What are you expecting?" Kalesh asked.
He looked at the Jaffa commanding the ship. "We've received the location on the Roanoke. It was damaged heavily and had to be abandoned. We are going to move the remains to a designated location as given by Draal. After any dead have been committed to the deep respectfully, the armaments that are not destroyed will be taken so that they can be install on another Earthforce vehicle. The mines will be taken back to Babylon 5 for replenishing the other Omegas. However, what is not required for the refit or for the Shadow War we will be able to salvage. O'Neill there," he pointed to the SG1 team leader, "wants a couple of the 40 mm pulse cannons. He and we also want a working example of the targeting computers if there are any that can be salvaged. They have promised to share the results of what they can learn with your leaders when we return home in case they might be useful to the Jaffa who are fighting for freedom."
Kalesh nodded. While the Jaffa were, in their own way, paying a debt by allowing the use of the ship, they were expecting to get something as well. The Jaffa did not view their lives as the Tau'ri did. Death was cheap and their culture was centered around providing for those that led them. The possible loss of a Ha'tak – no matter how valuable – paled in comparison to the possible technological advances that could be obtained from the mission.
Being much faster than jump space, the hyperdrive got them to the location within less than a day. Immediately after arriving they put up their defenses. There were raider ships that were arriving for the very reason they were there: To get what they could from the derelict ship.
Kalesh immediately launched Death Gliders. The unshielded ships they were facing were no match. The Ha'tak, which was about a third to half the size of an Omega, was a much more significant present than anything a raider or what the regular scavengers could bring that quickly.
As a result, the skies were soon cleared.
Due to the nature of exploration in this dimension, it was a hit or miss proposition on locating a particular system unless that system had a jump gate or a hyperspace beacon installed.
As a result, the Ha'tak had actually located a system that, according to Babylon 5 records, had no jump gate or beacon. Many systems had ancient jump gates built by some ancient race. Many more had more modern gates. This had none at all. A recon mission by an Al'kesh had also determined that there were no locals, no planet in the system had a breathable atmosphere, and there was no sign of life.
It was an ideal location to put the Omega. It also was where Babylon 4 would be taken as soon as it was retrieved, allowing for the opportunity to work on it as necessary.
The defense grid on Babylon 4, according to the blueprints, was similar to what Babylon 5 had before their grid was upgraded. While powerful, it was not sufficient for the purpose it would be used for. Babylon 4 was larger and more expensive and, unlike Babylon 5, it had its own engines. It was, in effect, just a very, very large starship.
While preparations were being made to do the necessary work that was coming, Ragnok and his people were researching what it would take to claim the system they had found. There was some indication it had some resources that could be mined – it might have raw Quantium ore. It might also have, according to the sensor logs, raw Naquadah.
This was a much more valuable find than anything that the locals could imagine. The Tau'ri were also interested in future business.
As a result, Ragnok was being very careful in doing everything according to local laws and customs to ensure that what they had located would be theirs and not taken from them. This required beginning to form relationships amongst the various members of the League of non-aligned worlds.
The Ha'tak had done what was necessary to secure the much larger ship. It would take more time and more energy than just traveling by itself, but they could deliver the Omega without the need to use jump space.
After the Ha'tak had left, several raider scouts returned to see what was happening. All were quite angry and disappointed that the large hunk of tech was no longer available to them.
Once they had parked the Omega, the bane made its way back to the Epsilon system.
Harry Potter made an appointment with Sinclair.
"We've retrieved the Roanoke," is what he started with.
Sinclair looked at his visitor. "What do you mean?"
"When the Roanoke was abandoned as no longer spaceworthy, it was not fully destroyed. Working in conjunction with Marek, Draal, and Ragnok, we made arrangements to go and retrieve it. It is a good thing as well – tech stealers had already arrived to cash in on what they could take."
"Where is it then?" Sinclair asked.
"It is in a place that is not accessible." He paused. "I cannot tell you fully yet, but there is something coming – something vital. It will directly affect your war with the Shadows. I can give my solemn word that what we are doing will benefit you and Earth Alliance far more than the Tau'ri or the Goblins. You won't see what we're doing until you need to. The exception is that the mines will be returned here ASAP so that they can replenish those used during battles."
Sinclair considered that. "Well, considering that we would have lost it anyway if you hadn't intervened, I won't say anything against it." He looked at his visitor. "What about the dead?"
Harry replied solemnly, "We have been very respectful. According to our customs, we have retrieved the remains of everyone lost who did not make it off the ship. Each body is under a stasis charm. We can prepare them for transport here to be committed to space or to be transported back to their families." He reached into his robes and retrieved a document. He placed this on the desk in front of Sinclair.
Sinclair slowly reached for the paper and picked it up. The sorrow was visible as he read the over 100 names on the sheets. He immediately noticed that the complete dog tag information was included allowing for easy processing. He looked up. "I will send this to Earth Central to contact the families. In war – especially in space –often there is never a body to return or we automatically commit them to the Deep. On behalf of Earth Alliance, I thank you for your consideration toward those lost. I will have an answer as soon as I can."
Harry nodded.
Sinclair then continued. "I will take you at your word regarding the Roanoke. I will report that it was retrieved to prevent tech stealers from taking it but that it is currently unsalvageable save its mines which are being retrieved quickly."
"Good. Besides those assisting security here and those that are on Epsilon 3 with the Goblins assisting them, the others will be assisting with what is needed on the Roanoke. How many tech people can you send with me to do what is needed? They will need to be detached for about a four week period."
"I can't afford to lose too many. Although we haven't had a second pitched battle, we have been running around a lot and regular maintenance on the fleet is being done here at times. I'll let you know as soon as I've spoken to Susan."
"Okay, Admiral. You know how to reach me."
A few days later Delenn and Neroon arrived back from the Minbari homeworld and made their own appointment. This time, the Admiral had his command staff as well.
Along with the two Minbari leaders were two others: One human, one Minbari. Both were wearing long black robes and both were fairly stoic.
"I first want to say: Welcome back. I hope that things are well with your people."
Both Minbari leaders nodded respectfully in acknowledgement. Delenn spoke. "We had to review some of the efforts that are being made into fighting the Shadows. We have been gathering resources. Some you will see soon. Others you will be introduced to now." Sinclair looked interested as Delenn motioned toward the two she had brought with her. "I would like to formally introduce you to Lavell, of the Third Fane of Chudomo, and Marcus Cole, formerly of Arisia 3."
Sinclair nodded at the two. "Welcome to Babylon 5." Both nodded and gave their thanks.
Delenn spoke again. "These two are members of a group of Humans and Minbari who are dedicated to the defeat of the Shadows. The are called Anla'shok. The Human word would be Rangers. They have been trained to fight, to serve, to think, to learn, to protect. They are both a fighting group and an intelligence group. They do not answer to the traditional chain of command of the Minbari warrior caste or even the fighting portions of the religious caste, but to the leaders of the Anla'shok. I am one of them. Neroon has recently been made a leader as well. We are here to inform you that we are now placing you as a leader of the Anla'shok as well. The Rangers at Babylon 5 will answer to you."
Sinclair was taken aback. "I'm flattered. But why?"
"Because, the Rangers have been gathering data on Shadow movements for months. Lavell will be our courier between Minbar and Babylon 5. Marcus will be your liaison. His past, I believe, is in military intelligence. He was a part of it during the war between our people. His brother became involved when the organization started but was killed. Marcus has taken up the burden. He will be able to provide all the information we gather regarding the Shadows and allow us to coordinate much better."
"So you are willing to put the Rangers under the command of the leader of Babylon 5 for the purposes of the war."
Neroon spoke. "No. We are willing to place them under your personal command when they are in this sector. A minor difference – but significant."
"I see." He paused. "How much should I tell my government?"
Neroon and Delenn looked at each other for a moment. "While we do not anticipate that there would be any problems," Delenn said, "I would point out that there were – and most likely still are – elements within your Earth government which were allied with the Shadows. There are certainly spys. So the question becomes: How much can you afford to tell your government?"
The command staff looked at each other and each one nodded in agreement. They were loyal to Earth Alliance, but there was wisdom in circumspection. Sinclair saw his people agree.
Sinclair said to Marcus, "We will tell them that you are a liaison with our allies. I think that is sufficient for prosecuting this war."
Marcus nodded and gave a small smile. "Earthforce intelligence will make assumptions no matter what. Trust me – I know. I will be discrete as necessary."
Sinclair nodded. "Good. What do you have for me now?"
Sinclair listened to the report. Finally he said, "Thank you." He turned to Ivanova. "When does the Agamemnon return?"
"Admiral Sheridan should return within two days."
"That's good. Because I have a mission for him." Sinclair explained. Everyone there agreed.
With the addition of the intelligence from the Rangers and the Minbari's increasing involvement, the war heated up. In addition, the League worlds saw the increase and started to consider allying with the two more powerful races more directly.
The Centauri were creating some problems for the other races and Sinclair sent formally worded protests and other statements through the Centauri Ambassador's office.
This caused the Centauri Royal Court to become more agitated. Finally, Londo spoke to Vir. "We need to do something to disrupt Refa and his influence on the Royal Court. I have a message that I need you to take to G'Kar."
Vir's eyes widened as Londo explained.