SE:IV B5 RP

[Uraniun235]

Conference Room
Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne Headquarters
Paris, Earth

"Mr. Magnan, is it true that the Marxis Corporation will retain ownership of the Yolu planets while Earth Alliance administers the civilian populations?"

"That is completely untrue, miss. Such an arrangement is completely unacceptable to the Earth Alliance."

"Then Earth Alliance will not be rendering aid to the Yolu people?"

"That is also untrue. I am authorized to disclose at this time that EarthForce has immediately dispatched several starships to the Nocalo system. This force, it must be stressed, is not intended to engage in combat, but will instead be there to assist in humanitarian aid efforts and prevent raids against the now-helpless Yolu. Also, a CDT transport recently sent there will also lend assistance in whatever fashion it can."

"I'm afraid I don't understand. If this arrangement is unacceptable to the Earth Alliance..."

"If you'll allow me to finish, miss. We have also informed the Marxis Corporation that administration is the price of soveriegnty, and that if they are unwilling or unable to pay it, then they are expected to relinquish their authority over the Yolu planets to Earth Alliance custody immediately.

---

Code: Select all

Conquest is easy. Control is not. You may have bitten off more than you can chew with the Yolu. 

Earth Alliance will not chew your food for you, Marxis. Nor will we allow the suffering of millions because you don't understand the concept of proportionate response. 

If you really can't take responsibility for your actions, don't expect to reap the rewards and foist the price on someone else. We won't pay for your little military adventure.

Turn the planets over to the Earth Alliance, or take care of the Yolu yourself.

President Wilhelm Alshain

---

Presidential Office
EarthDome

"How do you plan on paying for this, Mr. President?"

"Well... the shipyards are expanding their facilities right now, so it's not as if we could expand the fleet right now if we wanted to. I figure the Senate will probably be willing to bleed off some of the naval expansion fund for aid efforts."

"What about all that talk about not having enough ships?"

"That's for an expeditionary assault fleet. This..." and Alshain waved at the Big Board, "is just a little carrier group. Not enough to really challenge anyone, but more than enough to deter raiders, and to help with rebuilding efforts."

"Better let the public know that."

"Already done. General Sanders has whipped up a good presentation showing that the latest fleet expansion gave us a fair bit of overkill for planetary security. And I've put a few calls through to make sure that there'll be plenty of commercials asking for people to donate their spare credits to help feed hungry Yolu."

"Did it?"

"Did what?"

"Did the latest fleet expansion actually give us a carrier group's worth of overkill?"

"Well... who am I to dispute the wisdom of the general staff?" Alshain smirked. "Don't worry about it. Your people know about the space-lane clearances?"

"They've been briefed. Still classified, isn't it?"

"Definitely."

"It won't stay classified for too long if some freighter jockey sees them."

Alshain stopped and thought.

"Good point. Alright, I guess I should make some calls, then. Good seeing you, Cal."

Cal bowed slightly, then left.

Just as Alshain was about to call up the diplomatic channels, he felt a sudden chill. A very deep chill, at that. He checked the thermometer but the room was normal temperature... and just as suddenly, everything felt normal.

Everything, except one little thought that wiggled in the back of his head.

Who... or what... is a 'Nephtys'?

[brianeyci]

Yolu Presidental Palace

"The Board doesn't understand why you're giving Alshain those planets. To be honest neither do I." Vera stood with her arms crossed in front of the camera. "We could use the extra planets to expand our new fleet. The new battleships are coming online in just over a year."

"No," said Marxis leaning towards the screen. "Don't you get it Vera. Once Alshain takes control of those planets, we have him. The aliens will see us and him together. Mankind united. We'll force their hand."

"I still don't under--"

"You will Vera. You will. The aliens, especially the Minbari, don't see much difference between us and the Earth Alliance. If they think we're a threat, they'll attack. Attack before they're ready. And we'll be ready for them. They'll walk right into our traps."

Vera nodded. "I'll smooth things out with the board." The screen turned black. Marxis always had the best interest of mankind at heart. She would follow him wherever he went, no matter what he did. She was hers, and she loved being his.

"Ma'am, you can't go into the Presidential Suite yet. They're still cleaning up the mess the Yolu President left."

"Thank you Stilgar," said Vera. "You and your men did a good job."

"Yes, ma'am."

Brian

[brianeyci]

Marxis Corporate Headquarters

"...we are glad President Alshain's come to his senses and decided to deal with the alien threat. With Earthforce occupying the Yolu's colonies, mankind will no longer be under the constant threat of invasion."

"The Marxis Corporation is handing control of the Liberator Light Cruisers to the Earth Alliance. They were originally constructed to defend mankind from alien incursion, and it makes sense that the most competent men and women be operating these machines of war."

"We hope that Alshain will continue to respond strongly to alien incursions."

"The board doesn't agree with your decision to hand the Liberators over to Earthforce. We invested considerable resources into building them. Some of them think if we maintained control of the Light Cruisers we could force Alshain to do whatever we wanted, even blockade Earth."

Marxis smiled. "You don't get it do you? There's only one mankind. This independence thing won't last."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm running for President."

Marxis laughed at Vera's open mouth.

"I see. Did you tell--"

"No, you're the first one. Keep it quiet for now." Marxis waited. "The elections are a few years away. But I'll run, and I'll win." Marxis leaned forward. "Meanwhile if we give Alshain control of the Liberators, it'll silence all our critics. We still have the freighter fleet heavily armed. I doubt Alshain'll move against us. And maybe... just maybe, Alshain'll be tempted to use the Liberators to deal with the Hurr."

"Alshain's a pacifist. He'd never--"

"--Senator Dillway and some other Republicans have been pushing our dear President for a more aggressive posture against the aliens, to extend our sphere of influence. The excuse has always been that Earthforce is too thinly stretched, Earthforce is undermanned, Earthforce is busy with this or that. Vera, I've heard this pacifist's excuses for long enough. We've got him by the balls. He'll take the planets because he's an alien sympathizer. and he'll take the Liberators. He's talked himself into a corner."

"We'll be defenseless."

"Not really," said Marxis tapping his console. "The Hand of Man Vera. Mankind's first space battleship, tough enough to take three Omegas and win. Four heavy particle beam turrets, enough armor to slug it out with the most powerful alien ships, and the latest electronics."

"That's the ship that's been under development for nearly a decade Marxis. It's a wreck. Nobody could solve the reactor problems."

"We've solved it. The first prototype will be online in two months."

"Who's funding it?"

"Mars, and a few others. I want you to leak the battleship design to the media Vera. Let Alshain shit his pants for awhile, and the aliens too."

"You sure that's a good idea?"

"We need to show we're more than capable of defending Earth to the aliens. And these Minbari..." Marxis paused. "These Minbari, I've been getting word of a group called Rangers. They're supposed to be one-man armies. Any truth to the rumors?"

"I've lost a few men in the past half year," said Vera. "If it is the Minbari, we're having trouble tracking them."

"We need our own special forces."

"The Watch--"

"The Watch is a bunch of ex-cons, ex-military and ex-police. We need our own homegrown men Vera, and if these Rangers are killing your people it's obvious The Watch isn't up to it." Marxis sat back. "Get General Steffan in here."

Brian

[Trogdor]

Data analysis. That's all Londo ever seemed to do anymore.

Well, that and grappling with Reefa in the Centaurum, but Londo could handle Reefa easily enough so long as the situation didn't take a dramatic twist, which it had not yet done.

At least, Londo thought, there was now quite a bit of data to analyze. The Hurr Republic was looking for friends, not surprising with a large part of Marxis's huge fleet orbiting the Yolu home planet just one gate jump away. They had offered a treaty of partnership and Londo had accepted.

He was surprised with the wealth of data that they were able to give to him. Not only was his map of the galaxy finally complete, but he now knew exactly who the mysterious "they" were.

"Why is the Shadow fleet headed to Roth?"

"Vir, Vir, I wish I could tell you," Londo answered. "Hopefully they are just passing through."

It seemed so optimistic as to be foolish, but Londo could think of few alternatives. The Roth system was of no strategic value. Pundits within the Republic liked to call it the "neglected system" and not without reason. Roth was a relatively resource poor system, and had had little aid in building up infrastructure as a result.

Besides, it seemed as if Defel still had yet to give up on him. Even now, his personal battle crab orbited Centauri Prime like a dark omen.

[brianeyci]

ISN Update

...and today, the Marxis Corporation hands over a large portion of its fleet to civilian oversight, diffusing the spectre of an armed conflict between the Corporate Sector and Earthforce. Earthforce personnel today took control of most of the over one hundred Liberator Class Light Cruisers. Initial reports show that maintaining such a large private fleet has been taxing on the Corporate Sector and particularly on the private war chest of Benjamin Marxis, who invested much of his personal fortune into the construction of the fleet. Shares of Marxis Corporation fell more than fifty percent...

Marxis shut off the remote and rubbed his face. "There wasn't any choice. It was this, or a civil war."

"I doubt Alshain will move against us now. Even your biggest critics are shutting up now, and the news networks are all smiles and jokes. I have a leak in Oslo. They're thinking of giving you the Peace Prize."

"We're going to need more money, from somewhere," said Marxis. "MarsGov is telling us to keep quiet about the Hand of Man, but I'm not playing it their way. Did you leak the blueprints?"

"Yeah," said Vera. "It'll be all over the liberal grapevine tomorrow, big bad Marxis with his battleships."

"Good," said Marxis. "Whatever Alshain's next move is, he's cornered."

"Nobody will believe him if he comes out and says you're building a new warfleet. At least, it'll be harder for him to get the message across."

Marxis laughed out loud. "Let's make sure I kiss a few more babies, give a few more interviews... stick to the conservative channels for now, and ISN. We'll go around on talk shows. Let's see Alshain try and take me now."

"He can't. You're larger than life. Who would voluntarily give away a hundred warships? Not a power hungry dictator."

"Exactly Vera. We have him by the balls..."

Brian

[Dalton]

Quadrant 32 System
Quadrant 32 III

Commander Ka'tan was expectant.

Long-range sensor scans provided by his allies had tipped the Dilgar's hand. Even as their forces amassed in the Markab system, system defense fleets had detached their faster vessels and sent them along to intercept the oncoming Dilgar fleet. Chairman G'Kar expected the Dilgar to stage their fleet on the jump point before the attack, expecting to have some luxury of time before the battle was upon them.

That illusion would be quickly shattered.


Quadrant 32 System
Jump Gate to Markab System

Two Narn vessels patrolled quietly near the long spires of the Jump Gate. Both were older vessels; a Ka'Tac-class Corvette and a T'Rann-class destroyer. Both were older vessels, with correspondingly older weapons, so when a pair of Dilgar cruisers suddenly erupted from hyperspace - one immediately breaking engagement and driving hard away from the battle - the Narn vessels barely had time to get off a shot before they were utterly annihilated.

The two ships eased back into formation, the heavy weapons of the point ship armed and ready for trouble, the smaller point-defense cannons of the trailing ship primed and tracking. Both vessels then reorientated themselves on a direct course for Quadrant 32 III.

And behind them, the Jump Gate activated again, and the Dilgar battle fleet was suddenly on the Narns' doorstep.



Quadrant 32 System
Quadrant 32 III

"What's the count?" asked Commander Ka'tan, his yellow eyes flicking over the system sensor readouts.

"Nineteen," came the prompt reply. "Eight Cruisers, seven Heavy Destroyers, two Escort Carriers, a Light Carrier and a Corvette."

"Do a sensor focus. Tell me exactly what those Cruisers are armed with."

"Sir." The console beeped away as the operator entered commands. "Only five of the cruisers seem to be armed for anti-capship roles. The other three...computer indicates that one's armed with a mass driver..." He trailed off, remembering the Centauri bombardment of the Narn homeworld with those illegal devices. So much death...

"Focus on your task," Ka'tan reprimanded.

"Sir. The other two Cruisers are strictly support vessels. One of them a point-defense platform, the other a minesweeper."

"And the carriers? What are they carrying?"

The operator checked, his expression confused. "Nothing, Commander. They're empty."

"How strange. Anything else?"

"One of the Heavy Destroyers appears to be exclusively a missile boat."

"How thoughtful of them. ETA?"

"Minutes, sir."

"Very well. Alert all battle stations. Have the colony ships circle behind the planet. And activate the minefield."



The Dilgar might have been brash and aggressive to the point of rash action, but they weren't stupid. The minesweeper they sent in had managed to sweep thirty-six of the mines hovering protectively around the planet, but its abilities were not sufficient enough to destroy all of them.

The Munolok-class Heavy Destroyer flashed spectacularly in the night as its ammunition exploded, raining fiery shrapnel and unspent warheads in all directions. Five more Dilgar ships blew up in gigantic fireballs, their pent-up energy discharged uselessly into space, the victims of mines or of the lively explosion of their late brother: both Escort Carriers vaporized, with three other Heavy Destroyers joining them.

And as the Dilgar fleet roared into range, nearly two dozen heavily-armed space stations began altering trajectories, rotating weapons to bear on the Dilgar fleet. Lances of energy from Quad Pulsar turrets erupted from the oncoming ships, striking down several of the defense stations, but an answering eruption of Ion Bolts quickly began slicing through the Dilgar ships as they recharged their capacitors. The first target was the Hihidesh-class Cruiser, destroyed in one shot as it attempted to get a clear shot at the planet below. Swiftly, all but three Cruisers and a Heavy Destroyer were obliterated by the coordinated defenses, with only two stations lost in return.

The Heavy Destroyer and another Cruiser, a Minesweeper, went up in short order immediately afterwards, their paltry defenses unable to stand up against the fury of the onslaught. The remaining two cruisers turned tail and ran as they tried to charge their capacitors for another Quad Pulsar volley. Slowly, the stations followed, thrusting away from the planet and closing in on the temporarily vulnerable Cruisers.

However, they did not anticipate the ships to recharge so quickly. The remaining Dilgar vessels managed to destroy five more space stations before they were silenced.

And as the stations slowly reversed the powerful forces of inertia, the remaining two Dilgar ships made a suicide run on the planet: a Point-Defense Cruiser and another one of the heavily-armed Koratyl-class vessels, which destroyed an eighth Space Station.



Commander Ka'tan was grim. They managed to eradicate almost the entire Dilgar battle fleet, but the losses were considerable. He looked at the system sensors again; all that was left of the Dilgar in the Quadrant 32 system were two vessels. Another Koratyl-class stood silently by the Markab Jump Gate...and a Heavy Destroyer sitting on the Jump Gate back to Mellitra. Ka'tan wondered what the ship intended when a sudden panicked transmission came over the priority override channel, just as suddenly cut off by a squeal of static.

"Minefield," Ka'tan said, disgusted. Planets were one thing, but mining Jump Gates was just cowardly. That must have been the purpose of the Heavy Destroyer sitting there, safe from attack for the time being. "Get me Chairman G'Kar."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


G'Kar was reviewing the combat replays from Quadrant 32 III when Na'Toth walked in. "Ah, just in time," he said. He beckoned to her as the final moments of the battle played out, the last Dilgar ship to attack disintegrating into a ball of vapor. "What do you think?"

"I think the Dilgar have annoyed the wrong Narn," Na'Toth said, a little smug. "But our losses..."

"Unacceptable, I know," G'Kar said. "But that's what you get from old technology. Still, it did the job." He seemed satisfied. G'Kar had been ready to plead for help from the Minbari, the Earthers, even the Centauri, but in the end, the impatience and bloodthirst of the Dilgar had been their undoing. The Dilgar fleet of nineteen warships now numbered two, and there were still plenty of bases around their target, although eight had been regretfully lost, including one of the Spaceyards.

"I think it's time we show these savages that we mean business," G'Kar said.

Na'Toth's eyes widened. "What do you intend to do?"

"I've already done it," he said. "They've ignored our warnings. Their scout vessel still tramps altogether too boldly through the Mellitra system. And they've attacked one of our worlds. So I've declared war on the Dilgar.

"Let them come."

[brianeyci]

Marxis Corporate Headquarters

"Looks like G'kar's in a spat with the Dilgar."

Marxis smiled. "Good, good. I know Dilgar like the back of my hand. When they asked for the Markab system, they either wanted to attack us or wanted to attack the Narns. Looks like the latter. Luckily for them."

"Should I order the defense fleet to stand down?"

"No. Keep watching the fight. If things get out of hand... maybe we can come to the Narn's rescue. Or the Dilgars. The more the aliens fight each other, the less of them are around."

Brian

[Trogdor]

"Members of the Centaurum," Londo began. "The time for Centauri ambiguity is at end! The forces of the Minbari Federation and the Vorlon Empire move against the Shadows. The Lion of the Galaxy cannot simply sit out such a conflict! We are the Centauri Republic! I say that we let the Shadows know that we do not need their aid to be strong! I propose we declare our treaty with them to be null and void!"

Lord Reefa stood, his face red with anger. "You would have us destroyed! The power of the Shadows is too great! We--"

"Would be cowards if we listened to you!" Londo retorted. "We are Centauri! We do not cower in terror of the darkness! We have powerful allies, and once the Vasachi fleet is constructed, we can remind the galaxy why we are Lions!"

The Centauri Emperor was in rare form, and Reefa knew it. "Honored members of the Centaurum," he called. "Such an act would commit our Republic to a great and terrible war! There is no doubt that the Shadows would see it as an act of war, even without a formal declaration from us! In light of this decisons's importance, I move we delay a vote until next month, so that we may have time to adequatly discuss the situation."

"No! I say we vote now!" one of the Centaurum shouted.

There were shouts of agreement, and soon the members were chanting, "Vote now! Vote now! Vote now!"

Reefa looked at Londo scornfully. He knew he'd been beaten. Londo flashed Reefa a toothy grin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Admiral," Londo said to the commander of the Home Guard, immeditaly after the Centaurum voted to terminate the treaty, "this is the Emperor. You are ordered to destroy the Shadow of Defel?"

There was a long pause. Finally, "Say again?"

"I'm tired of seeing that Shadow vessel orbiting my world," Londo said. "Destroy it."

"Yes, Excellency."

In orbit around Centauri Prime, the ships of the Home Guard powered up their engines and weapons, moving toward the Shadow battle crab. The Shadows were no fools, and knew what was about to happen. The Shadow of Defel lashed out with its frightening weapons, destroying a Vorchan easily.

But it was too heavily outnumbered. The Centauri ships fired their powerful battle lasers at it, the deadly beams striking the battle crab's hull dead on.

The Shadow of Defel took an admirable amount of punishment before it exploded, but explode it did.

[Uraniun235]

ISN's EarthForce correspondant reports that the large warfleet transferred from Corporate Sector authority has been recalled to the Vendemar system where damaged ships will be repaired and crews will be trained on the new ships to bolster their effectiveness. Rumors are circulating that the delivery of the fleet has pushed back the construction of new EarthForce cruisers in favor of more upgrades to Earth Alliance shipyards and further development of advanced technologies, but so far EarthDome has refused to comment on it's procurement plans, citing security concerns.

In other news, a relief ship headed for the Nocalo system has reported sighting a huge starship in Corporate space. An amateur telescopic observer, the owner of the liner Mystic Princess has provided ISN with several photographs of what appears to be a very large warship engaging in shakedown manuevers, eclipsing in size any other starships yet known to exist. Representatives from the Corporate Sector have so far declined to comment. ISN cautions that while our experts believe the photographs are genuine, there is still the potential for a fake. ISN will follow up on this breaking story as soon as it recieves more information.

[brianeyci]

"Sooner or later somebody's gonna see those ships," said Vera, walking into Marxis' office. Marxis had his side to the door and noticed her walking in.

Never turn your back Edgars had taught him. Well, the trick wasn't to look forward all the time. Your enemies would see that. The sly looked to the side, appearing inconspicious. And of course, Marxis always walked around armed. Although nobody could tell he had a derringer in a second's notice in a special pocket in his sleeve.

Marxis was examining satellite and aerial photographs of his ground-based shipyards. His orbital shipyards were hidden in space by jammers and curtains, but nobody could hide the shuttles moving to and from the spacedocks. There were millions of men involved with building the battleships, all under tight confidentiality agreements, but eventually there'd be a leak. There always was.

But, at least they were controlling the rumors, as best they could.

"How long til they're ready?" said Vera, putting her head on Marxis' shoulder.

"Six months. We'll have the most powerful navy in the galaxy Vera. 500 millimeter particle cannons, sixty centimeters of armor, and enough staying power to finally match these strange alien vessels." Marxis looked at the picture of a black crab, and another of what looked like an elongated squid with four protruding spars.

"We've recruited another thousand spacers, mostly ex-Earthforce."

"Get as many civilian specialists as we can. Take anybody with experience in space. Before Alshain does."

Sir, Mr. Defel on line three...

"I wonder what he wants," said Marxis.

"His company's installing the electronic warfare packages on the battleships."

Marxis wasn't paying attention. "Alshain's recalling the fleet?"

"Yes," said Vera smirking. "They can't fix the sabotaged reactors. At their speed they'll take half a year to get anywhere."

"Good." Marxis pressed a button. "Call Mr. Defel and tell him he can meet me as soon as it's convenient."

Yes sir.

General Steffan stood on the bridge of the Corporate Star Ship Iowa, as the battleship orbited its motherplanet. There were hundreds of ships screening as the Iowa tested its engines. The ship was the first of many, and tens of thousands of crewmen were rotating in and out, getting as much experience as possible before the other battleships were completed.

"I think it's time for a weapons test."

"Aye sir."

"Target that asteroid there Commander," said Steffan to Commander Regan.

"Bring main particle cannons online. Target the asteroid," said Regan.

"Main cannons aye."

"Fire."

Four continuous blue lances streaked towards the dead space rock. The rock was sliced cleanly in two and a barely visible dust cloud showed the potency of the new slicer beams.

Steffan grunted. Let's see the Dilgar try and match this.

Brian

[Nephtys]

"So it begins." Nimune Starrider commented, reading her transmission to Mollari. Her flotilla had entered Centauri space no less than eight hours ago, a battlegroup of twenty Ashinta destroyers and a command detatchment of two Neshatan gunships and a Troligan armored cruiser coasting nearly invisibly towards Centauri Prime.

Along the way, she had watched as a Shadow Scout appeared from hyperspace, only to be destroyed under the wrath of her fleet's neutron beams. Slowly, her head turned back towards the door as her adjutant entered. "Fleet Commander, the Grey Council has convened. The Shadows are preparing to move, and their ships have been reported across all space by the Anla'shok."

"And Dukhat's decision?" Nimune asked.

"He wishes to see the threat himself. He will take Valen'tha out to rally the younger races. The Vorlons have informed of their intentions as well."

"I see." Nimune walks back into the hall of her vessel, moving through the station orbitting Minbar. "What other news have you heard?"

"The Anla'shok have reported a large buildup in the militaries of all the younger races. I fear some would take advantage of the chaos now, and begin wars of aggression on their neighbors. The Humans for example, are producing an armada now with all their resources. Numerically, they're far greater in number than even us..."

"Ill news indeed. Perhaps that is why the council has now unfettered the Starrider clan..." Nimune smiled to herself, hands together in front of her, as she glanced out the viewport of the station. Her new flagship, of the Sharlin class was being prepared for her use and would be ready within the week. The rest of the ships would be recrewed soon, Warriors called to duty, and the fleet prepared for war.

[GuppyShark]

ISN Special Report

Solta Gan VI has been razed from orbit by a Vorlon fleet, early reports indicate death toll approaching four billion, nearly a complete depopulation.

Last week, a fleet of two dozen Vorlon battlecruisers entered orbit and began bombarding the planet's cities.

Of the planet's original four billion native Grome, scarcely a hundred million remain.

At the time of reporting, this bombardment was continuing. Survivors have little hope of lasting, and have appealed for aid.

"Their situation is hopeless," a highly placed official in the Alshain administration has commented to us, on condition of anonymity. "If the Vorlons, or Shadows for that matter, want to exterminate a planetary population for no reason we can discern, there's nothing we can do to help them."

[Trogdor]

It was starting. What Londo had feared for so long was coming to pass. Centauri space was turning into a war zone, and his people were being killed by the Shadows.

Shra-Bal V had been bombarded. The world that Londo had so coveted, had so looked forward to making a glorious jewel in the Republican crown, had come under attack by the Shadows. The world was defenseless; it had only started recieveing more colonists after the intial settlement a few months ago and had little infrastructure.

Perhaps it was--what was that human word again? Karma, that was it. Perhaps it was karma. The deeds his Republic had done to the Narn coming back to them. Well, the Narn had survived. The Centauri Republic would, too.

The Minbari fleet had just jumped into the Valusha system and would hopefully be engaging the Shadow battle crabs soon.

Meanwhile, the Dilgar had invaded Narn space, so there was no chance of getting any help from G'Kar any time soon. Rather ironic that, he mused. It had been G'Kar who constantly spoke to Londo of rebuilding the Army of Light, G'Kar who'd always been adamant that the Shadows needed to be stopped. And now that the Shadow War was renewed, it was G'Kar who was forced to ignore it as he fought the Dilgar.

Relations with the Dilgar had been so good that Londo had dared to hope that they'd turned over a more peaceful leaf. Apparently, they had not.

He wondered if the Dilgar had been influenced by the Shadows or if they were just being their usual, belligerent selves. The latter was certainly possible, but it just seemed too convient for the Shadows. After all, didn't Defel try to get Londo to order an attack on the Narn, to renew the old conflict that both sides wished to forget?

At least Marxis was being quiet, though Londo suspected that the pirate king was probably planning something. It was the only reason that such men stopped making waves on their own: preparation for creating a tsunami.

It was maddening to be forced to watch all this happen but have so little ability to influence it. Londo made a note to order the shipyards to build faster. The sooner the Vasachi fleet was on-line, the better.

[Uraniun235]

"We have negotiated a treaty agreement with the Hurr which we believe establishes a foundation for continued peaceful coexistance.

Per the agreement, Hurr transports bound for the Nocalo system will no longer be armed. In exchange, we have agreed to keep an EarthForce carrier group in the Nocalo system, tasked with the protection of Hurr merchants doing business in the Nocalo system.

The carrier group itself will be stationed at the jumpgate to Quadrant 27. Fighters will launch from EAS Thunderhorse and escort Hurr merchants to their destinations. The carrier escorts will keep station near the jumpgate and turn back any warship which attempts to traverse the gate. The Hurr have agreed to this provision, expressing an earnest desire to keep the peace and promising that they have no intention of deploying their starships beyond their star system.

Similarly, in an equal gesture, the Hurr have promised to protect any merchant ships which enter their star system.

With this peace agreement comes the end of any alleged threat from the Hurr to the Yolu or the Corporate Sector or the Earth Alliance. Therefore, there is no longer any legitimate reason for an invasion of Hurr space. Any such invasion would be a blatant act of aggression on the part of humanity, which I will not allow. Questions?"

"Mr. President, you mentioned that the Thunderhorse carrier group will challenge any warship that attempts to traverse the Quadrant 27 jumpgate. First, how do you define "warship", and second, does this include Earthforce and Corporate warships?"

"Very good question. For the purposes of Operation Intervention, the Thunderhorse carrier group has been instructed to define as a warship any armed spacecraft. It has been suggested that this may pose a risk to merchant ships visiting Quadrant 27. However, certain parties have also expressed great agitation at the Hurr practice of arming their merchant ships; to decry a practice while engaging in it yourself is the very definition of hypocrisy. A tactic, I may add, which is often employed by racists and warmongerers.

As for the second part of your question, this applies to all armed ships. Period. The Earth Alliance will not permit an invasion of the Hurr Republic via the Nocalo/Quadrant 27 jumpgate."

[Dalton]

"How bad was it?"

"One group of fighters. All stations lost."

G'Kar stared off into space, his drink forgotten.

"How?"

"The fighters were too small and fast for the stations to target. The Dilgar went straight through our defenses."

G'Kar considered.

"No mercy. Give them a taste of plasma."

"Yes, Chairman."

"And tell that little Vorlon mouthpiece to get some ships over here and kill those Wraiths."

[Kojiro]

The vorlon ambassador saluted G'Kar with respect.

"Sir, the vorlons wish you to know that they have been speaking with the Dilgar. Thier threats of reprisal to their incusrions into our space me with the simple response of 'Do what you have to'. The vorlons intend to raze a small settlement of the Dilgar in reprisal. Their work done in Solta Gan they see no reason not to cripple the Dilgar should they continue their assaults on us. Thier main fleet is already on it's way to Dilgar space. Their secondary fleet will meet it there and if the Dilgar have not effected a complete withdrawl from our space the vorlons will teach them what it truly means to be ready for immortality."

"Do the vorlons realise this will almost surely push the Dilgar into the Shadow's camp?"

"They do, but their threat is conditional. They will only hurt the Dilgar if they continue to attack members of the Army of Light. The vorlons also don't believe the Dilgar would be so foolish as to choose violence and suffering, allying against us, the Minbari, Centauri, Vorlons and Earth for so little gain."

"Their warlike tendancies do tend to support the Shadow's philosophy...hopefully they will see reason. If they continue to fight us they will lose ships, and lives to us. To the Minbari, to Earth and others. They will likely be destroyed with the Shadows."

"Or they can exist in peace, prosper and mature. The choice does not seem diffucult."

"Then we will see who the Dilgar are, and what they want, and which is greater." nodded G'Kar.

[Dalton]

G'Kar eyed the Vorlon ambassador as he left. Threats of reprisal were all well and good, but with a species as mindlessly violent and aggressive as the Dilgar, he had his private doubts. The effectiveness of Vorlon weaponry was real enough, and Vorlon threats...well, any sane race would immediately scramble to placate the Vorlons if even so much as a hint wafted in their direction.

G'Kar could only imagine any threats they made against the Dilgar would have to be punctuated with a few gigatons of - he smiled as he remembered Ivanova's word - boom.

[Uraniun235]

"You've read the report on the Dilgar-Narn conflict, Mr. President?"

"Indeed I have, Ben. It's troubling business but I'm not comfortable acting on it without any sort of invitation to do so."

"Well, sir, my aide here has an idea."

"Ah. Well, let's hear it, mister..."

"Retief, sir. Jame Retief."

"And what is it you think we should do, Mr. Retief?"

"I quite understand your reluctance to act in an official capacity towards the Dilgar, Mr. President. The political situation here is somewhat sticky. However, an envoy to the Dilgar could communicate the same message to the Dilgar, and perhaps even more effectively. After all, private, unofficial diplomacy can have a sharper edge than the clumsy vagueries of public policy."

"Excellent idea. When can you leave?"

"Just as soon as I check out an old-fashioned needler, sir."

---

The Dilgar foreign minister waved to the withdrawing figure of Retief, chuckling at the Assistant Undersecretary's jape about the Minbari and the Centauri at the pub, when he felt something on his shoulder. He reached around and felt what was undeniably a Stick-It note, presumably left there when Retief slapped his shoulder as they parted ways. He unfolded it, revealing a message:

The predator who bites off more than he can chew may choke on it.

The Narn - and their allies - may be a bigger mouthful than you think.

[Tobor]

Jha’Dur sat quietly. She was in the forward observation deck of her personal cruiser - Oblivions’ edge.
The conflict that the Narn had so boldly begun three years ago was now coming to a close. Much had happened since then, since the Narn regime had taken it upon themselves to slaughter Dilgar settlers.
The Narn had offered no apology, no offer of recompense, and had most grudgingly left the Dilgar systems at the point of a gun. As Jha’Dur sat, she recalled how time had passed, how the Dilgar had spent those three years in preparation for this moment.
As her cruiser orbited the planet, Quadrant 32 III, she considered all that had happened in the aftermath of the conflict. It appeared that when the initial wave of Dilgar forces had met with catastrophic failure, apparently some mishap with the jump engines, the galaxy was all prepared to endorse the conflict.
But now, now that the measure of their supremacy in this conflict had been realised the Narn were calling to all corners of the galactic map for support, for aide, and for others to fight the battles they had so brazenly started.

Jha’Dur’s face contorted in something that resembled a smirk. The Narn have the audacity to declare war upon the confederacy and yet demand that others do the fighting for them. All their threats of retaliation, a pitiful joke, the Narn navy numbered no more than a few poorly outfitted corvettes and static defence stations bordering their planets.
Jha’Dur was aware of the political climate. Was aware that an ‘army of light’ was banding together to fight the shadows, had seen reports of minor conflict and watched as forces mobilised. She found it ironically amusing that the very races who were so eager to curry the shadows favour for technology and trade were all so mollified by the Vorlons that they would declare war at the drop of a hat.
Glancing over she saw her reflection caught by one of the surfaces in the observation deck. She could not help but be disgusted, not with herself but by the actions she was now forced to commit. The way she was being manipulated, manoeuvred into a corner.

Of course it wasn’t the Narn; but the weeping babes, they had managed to catch the eye of the Vorlon empire, and under the threat of war from them she was forced to consider cessation to her vendetta.
At this point she realised the difference between herself, between the Dilgar and the other races - they were she sheep and she was the wolf. They feared the Dilgar, feared that they may have been the lamb to the slaughter and now that the other races saw an opportunity to rally behind someone that possibly the Dilgar feared they were all to eager to sell themselves. She smirked again, Vorlon whores all of them!
She could only imagine what the shadows were enduring, at least the other races did not yet have the courage to openly declare war on her yet as they had done to the shadows. It was momentary though, she did not particularly care if the shadows lived or died, they were valuable trading partners and that was the limit of their relationship, mostly they just tried to stay out of each others way.
It did not surprise her though that the younger races had all rallied against them, like puppets in a play they had all jumped to the merry tune the Vorlons had piped at them, none able to think for themselves to even entertain the notion that they might be better off without a galactic club hovering above them every time they did something that was not considered’ in the interests of the great empire’. The shadows may not be the right answer but to exterminate one side of the great argument simply because they were told to was, well, infantile.

Her mind cleared as she came back to the topic at hand - cessation of hostilities against the Narn. It galled her that the Vorlons would attack the Dilgar, and even more so that she could not possibly defend against a coordinated effort from the masters and their puppets.

She had taken the system. Even after the catastrophic initial strike, had endured the slings and arrows of the Narn as they telegraphed their jibes. Had even entertained the notion that she might have to withdraw, to give the recall order, but the Narn had declared war. In that simple declaration they had galvanised her towards this course of action. In their declaration for ‘no mercy’ they had steeled her into taking that planet above all costs.
Now this, a Vorlon fleet at her doorstep, they demanded, that she find a way to end the hostility. Well the Narn had started this bedlam and she would finish it. All that remained was whether the Narn were willing to pay the price they had heaped upon themselves, the price of attacking the Dilgar.


-----


Jha’Dur did not like dealing with Ambassadors, preferred to leave that in the capable hands of Bi’Lar. But on this occasion, and considering their close history she thought it best to take the direct approach. Well she had contacted the G’Kar directly he was as obstinate as ever, age had not refined him, if nothing else he seemed a shadow of his former self, bloated with self importance. The return to Narn had changed him by all accounts. She had heard at one time he refused to lead the regime, feared that they would make an idol out of him. Now he sat at their head - so much for many equal voices of the Kh’ari.
She had made her case quite plain, had let him know her terms, the cost of sparing the Narn and their wretched little regime.
She doubted he would accept, he was stubborn and carried too much pride, perhaps he even thought the Vorlons would wipe out the Dilgar and cede their territory to him. But Jha’Dur had agreed that the Dilgar would open Diplomatic channels, would attempt to peacefully resolve this conflict. If the Narn’s failed to comply, if they kept the pursuing the war, well she could hardly be held accountable for that…


Her price was simple, All that it would take for the Dilgar to cease the path of Narn destruction, to secure the Vorlons the forward supply point that they required, well it was quite simple…

It was the same price he had refused to pay twenty eight years ago…
Perhaps now that the stakes were so much higher he spend more time deliberating her proposition…

-----

Jha’Dur swung about in her chair as she entertained the notion that he might actually do it, if he refused, however, she was more than willing to settle for the foot hold in Quadrant 32. Who knows, if the Dilgar were going to be forced into diplomatic relations with the Narn they may as well see to protecting that nvestment. The planet would provide them with the perfect supply point from which to repel any other race that was bold enough to invade the Narn.
Silently she got up and made her way back to her quarters, it had been a long day and she would need to be fresh for tomorrows negotiations.

[brianeyci]

Code: Select all

A tactic, I may add, which is often employed by racists and warmongerers.

Marxis flipped the screen off. "Racist and warmonger am I. They don't look black or white or yellow to me, do they Vera."

"They're not human."

"Of course not."

"What's the next move? Alshain knows about the reactor problems, but he's still hauling the ships back to Earth Alliance territory rather than moving on the Hurr like we expected him to."

Marxis gritted his teeth. "We'll have to go after the Hurr ourselves."

"You heard what the President said. The kid gloves are off."

"Once our new battleships are online, they'll think differently."

"I don't know Ben. The ships are done in four months, but it'll take several months after that just to get the crews trained and the armor modules installed. They're useless until R&D figures out--"

"I want those battleships online."

"Maybe we don't have to go after the Hurr."

"Explain."

"Maybe we could go after... say the Minbari. If the Minbari violate our space..."

"Why would the Minbari come here? They've ignored us for years now."

"We still have that scout we seized in mothball. We could invite--"

"No," said Marxis. "We have to do this cleanly. How's the fight coming between the Dilgar and the Narns?"

"The Narns are getting the upper hand. They've destroyed most of the Dilgar fleet and made them sue for peace."

Marxis smiled. "Call in the Dilgar Ambassador. We can have a chat."

Brian

[Dalton]

G'Kar's office was dark. Ta'Lon decided, as he entered, that it matched his mood.

"They took the colony. There was no resistance."

Ta'Lon was silent.

"It was my fault. I did not forsee this eventuality. We did not have enough trained troops. Our fighter defenses were pitiful. And the Dilgar are claiming revenge. And the worst part is...I think they're justified."

Ta'Lon spoke up. "With all due respect, sir, I think you are wrong. They destroyed worlds, used captured prisoners for biological experiments and almost destroyed the League. Without the help of the Earthers, we'd probably all be dead. And I think Na'Toth would agree with me."

"We destroyed unarmed colony ships without provocation!"

"We were stopping the spread of a violent, aggressive race interested only in our destruction."

"We killed innocents!"

"None of them are innocent!" Na'Toth shouted, storming into the room, her face a mask of rage and hatred. "They all deserve death!"

There was dead silence for several moments. Na'Toth's rage was quickly replaced with sorrow; she rapidly broke down, sliding down the wall, sobbing silently into her hands. G'Kar moved around his desk and crouched in front of her. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off?" G'Kar suggested. "Ta'Lon, help her to her quarters."

The other nodded and ushered her out, the door closing behind him. G'Kar went back to his desk, sitting down heavily and resting his head in his hands. With the Dilgar and their war of aggression and the Shadows indiscriminately destroying anything that crossed their path, things were looking very bleak indeed.

He looked up. The comm light was blinking. Who would it be now?

He tapped the "receive" button and read the transmission.

[Nephtys]

Nimune was silent aboard the flag bridge of the Black Star, quietly following Valen'tha on her cruise towards Za'ha'dun. The Grey Council and other warrior leaders were content now, jubilant even. She somewhat understood why, watching what had happened only hours ago in a distant system near Centauri Prime.

The expeditionary Windsword fleet, chasing down what could have been a scout of the Shadows. Firing their salvos of devastating green beams, even the mighty shadow ship dissolved under the unrelenting barrage, and was destroyed moments before it could fade into hyperspace.

...Then something unexpected happend. From the darkness, ten more shadow battlecrabs appeared from their return to realspace, darting /past/ the Minbari formation. Suddenly, the Ashinta scoutships turned gracefully, appearing like a school of fish moving in water. They fired again, slicing and devastating the fleet that had entered the Centauri prime system.

Nimune was stunned. How could the ancient enemy Valen vanquished a thousand years ago be defeated so easilly? This was surely good fortune that would not be easilly reproduced.

But the council thought otherwise. The order was already given for the expeditionary fleet to withdraw it's forces, and return to Minbar for refits. She sighed at the thought, but knew it was futile to argue with them this time. Slowly, she touched the side of her shell-like bone, turning for the door. She would rest for now, and deal with the Dilgar transmission later...

[brianeyci]

"Communication from the Dilgar," said Vera.

"This is interesting," said Marxis. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Marxis keyed in a quick message.

"You're not seriously thinking of--"

"Yes, I'm thinking. Yes, this is exactly what we need." Marxis smiled, the same smile he'd had when he orchestrated the Nocalo 'liberation'. "Get an appointment with the Dilgar Ambassador."

Marxis took a closer look at the battleship schematic on his viewscreen. It was truly a monster, and rumors were beginning to go wild everywhere. ISN even had a secret source, and Security had told Marxis there were half a dozen leaks, some of them being spirited away by Earthforce Intelligence before they could be silenced. It would be time, soon, to let humanity know his vision. Soon. Meanwhile...

"...Sarah, call in the cameras."

Yes sir.

"...and today, I am announcing I will be seeking the Presidency of the Earth Alliance once Alshain's term expires. I have stood by the sidelines too long, seen mankind be a sliver of what it could. This is a chance for a Golden Age, a Pax Romana, being squandered by a man with no vision. Some of you might be wondering why I'm spilling my cards this early, years before any election and right at the beginning of Alshain's term. Well I'm telling you Mr. President, I'm putting you on notice. I'll be going every little mistake you make, every little blunder, and reminding the people of your incompetence. And they'll think of me, when time comes for judgment. Thank you all."

Brian

[Trogdor]

The Minbari were leaving. Despite fanastic successes against the Shadows, despite the fact that the Shra-Bal system was in flames, the Minbari were leaving.

Londo supposed he should've known better than to assume that the Minbari armada would rush to his people's rescue. Though they were quick to do the Vorlons' bidding, they still felt the need to maintain their place as galactic hegemon, no doubt.

Perhaps they felt threatened by the Brakiri, who'd claimed so much territory that it made Londo's expansion efforts look like a joke. Also, the Brakiri were at peace, something truly enviable, especially at this time. No Shadows, no pirate king, and no Dilgar.

But all that mattered not. What did matter was that the Minbari were leaving, perhaps en route to Minbar, practically on the other side of the galaxy.

Vir seemed to read his thoughts. "All orbital shipyards are working at two hundred percent capacity, Londo. We will be ready to counter attack soon. Also, R&D sent this up. They say it will take some time to go into mass production, though."

He handed Londo a data crystal, which the emperor inserted into his computer. A hologram showing the design specs of a new warship appeared. Londo was impressed, it was quite powerful, moreso than the Vasachi even.

He looked at the name. The Primus class battle cruiser.

Primus. For some reason, Londo liked that name very much.

With painful abruptness, visions flashed through Londo's mind. War and slaughter that it made even what was happening in Shra-Bal look minor in comparison. A desperate struggle to prevent the extinction of an entire people. Merciless destroyers raining napalm bombs that made mass drivers seem gentle onto defenseless colonies.

It lasted for a brief, endless moment.

Vir noticed that something was wrong with him. "Londo, are you all right?" he asked worriedly.

Londo took a deep breath. "Yes, Vir. I'm fine. It must've just been fatigue. I approve this design. I want one built as soon as possible."

"Yes, Londo," Vir said, and turned to leave so he could convey the emperor's wish to an available shipyard.

"Oh, one more thing," Londo said.

Vir stopped and turned. "Yes, Londo?"

"If I ask for another drink any time this month, don't give it to me."

[brianeyci]

Maroth System - Corporate Sector

"Jumpgate activation."

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure. I could swear I saw something... no, nothing."

CIS Iowa, Iowa Class Battleship

"What is it Ensign?"

"Unidentified vessel entering the system."

"Let me see it."



"They're in sensor range of the shipyards."

"Jam them. Get me a line to Fleet Command."

CIS Stiller, Malevolence Class Boarding Frigate

"You understand your orders Stiller," said Marxis into the viewscreen. "The aliens cannot get detailed scans of our shipyards. Follow the vessel to its home base and jam all transmissions. If you are detected, board the vessel and find out what they know. If they resist--kill them."

"Crystal clear sir."

Brian