Previously, in STAR AND CIRCLE...
On the world the younger races name Neilgeitha Prime, the woman responsible for opening the gate to Thirdspace is about to make another mistake. Dr. Elizabeth Trent, no longer a servant of Interplanetary Expeditions, along with her colleague Renly Moreau and their team, is in the midst of exploring an ancient spire on that world when she unleashes a force imprisoned there by the Shadows many thousands of years before -- an intelligent nanotech collective that calls itself the Craneori. These creatures subsequently decide to set a trap for Trent and her team -- their goal, to draw a ship to Neilgeitha Prime so that they may escape to begin a search for their 'creators'.
Meanwhile, on Babylon 5, Julia has been summoned to take part in a Ranger commander's conference, a meeting at which Lanniel, the new commander of the Fleet-on-search, reveals that the Worker Caste is about to begin construction on a new generation of White Star vessels. Veyshahk has also come to the station -- and thus it is he encounters Kirash, a Warrior Caste member of the family he once served -- one who seeks revenge. Kirash will eventually force Veyshahk into a duel -- an encounter that the Ranger physician must win if he is to continue his duties aboard the *Shard of Night*.
But even as Veyshahk is trapped on Babylon 5 by this duty of honour, the remainder of the *Shard*'s crew travels to Neilgeitha to help free Trent's team as well as the White Star that has answered their call. And it is there that the Craneori take possession of Julia's command, and propel it through a mysterious 'explorer' portal to a position beyond the Galactic Rim... a location from which they will allow no return, until their ancient creators come for them.
Other forces, however, are lurking beyond the Rim. And the first to reach the *Shard of Night* is the ancient being that calls himself...
Lorien.
* * *
And now, the conclusion...
* * *
There'd been some days of late, Julia Tikopai wearily considered as she reclined in the captain's chair of the Interstellar Alliance battlecruiser 'Shard of Night', when she'd considered what would have happened if William and Brianna hadn't rescued her on Proxima III back in 2260 -- the time that she and the High Councillor's father had been running from the Nightwatch in a borrowed transjet.
William, of course, had brought the White Star 2 out of hyperspace right on top of them *within* Proxima III's atmosphere -- a rescue ordered by Ambassador Kosh, and guided by the hand of Brianna Tolmanes. Ever since then, destiny had held her firmly in its grasp -- but another road had been abandoned, that day. A road that would have, in all likelihood, lead to a more... normal life -- a life untroubled by Shadows, and Drakh... by wars, and prophecies.
Would that life have been a simpler one? Undeniably, the answer was yes. But as for interesting... that was a much harder question to answer. In any case... in the here and now, there was no use in wasting time musing on what might have been -- *this* was her life now. For better or worse, this was what she was -- captain of the most powerful Ranger warship ever built -- focus of a destiny both known and unknowable.
And now, there was another problem to be solved -- their most difficult one, yet. But aid, as she and the rest of her crew had found out only a moment before, had arrived from a *most* unexpected quarter. Aid from the long-robed being standing before her, his expression calm... his eyes full of the wisdom gained from his billions of years of existence.
"Our search, you say." Larieken carefully began. "Forgive us, First One -- but this region of space appears to be lifeless... and aside from the nearby cluster of stars my captain would call a 'globular cluster'... one must travel for many months if not *years* before coming to another such object."
"The words he speaks are true ones." Dasouri darkly added. "Our entire lives, we may waste, travelling in this dark place, and come across no living thing other than yourself. And even in the days before your departure, First One... the ancients were difficult to find, and even more difficult to communicate with. Even if we were to encounter ancients in our search, what guarantee is there that they will even be willing to speak to us?"
"Nothing in life is guaranteed." Lorien replied, "But do not be so quick to assume that this darkness is only that, Drazi. I assure you that your arrival in this place has not gone unnoticed. For many millions of your years, those who followed me into life have travelled beyond the Rim, leaving the galaxy to those who would walk in their place -- but even they are not content to dwell in the darkness for all eternity. Like moths to a flame, many of us have gathered in the clusters -- they are, in many respects, afraid of the darkness. Afraid of being *alone*."
"So if we go to that star cluster," Julia asked, "Will we find the race they're looking for?"
"Or those who know of their location... but you must be careful." Lorien warned. "Many there are, even now, who hold emnity against the others in the places beyond."
"And now there are no Younger Races to move as pawns on the board..." Elizabeth Trent managed, her voice hollow, "Have they actually gone back to fighting with one another?"
"On occasion...yes." Lorien finally admitted. "Some there are who would seek to return to the old ways -- to upset the balance. You are, I am afraid, if I may use your word, a 'pawn' to be fought over -- and even to be lied to. For these reasons, and others, we must move on this matter, and quickly. While you," the First One commanded, as he turned his piercing gaze upon the Craneori possessing Jordan Pieke, "*Will* cooperate with us on this matter."
Pieke inclined his head, his expression seemingly... humble. "{Honored we are by your presence and assistance, First One -- it shall be as you say."}
Several resonant chimes sounded, then -- and Klairika managed a small smile, as she turned to face her captain. "The Craneori appear to have retreated out of all major ship's systems..."
"Including the jump engines?" Julia critically inquired.
"Yes. She is, once again, yours to command. Your orders?"
"We go to the cluster -- best possible speed." Julia's eyes hardened. "Because until we find the race the Craneori are looking for, none of us can go home."
Which was when another unexpected thing occured -- as Lorien...
Began to laugh. Julia frowned... was it something she'd said?
* * *
Interstellar Alliance Space Station Babylon 5. The Ranger Compound. August 5th, 2267 -- 2115 hrs, EST.
In the darkness, the crystals chimed -- and in front of him, a single candle burned upon the dark-tiled surface. Veyshahk knew this to be true, even though he could not see it -- his eyes closed as he continued his meditation. This... was supposed to bring peace to oneself, but in the hours since the Sha'vei had told him what had happened to *Anshaka-Dal*... that peace had been denied him. He had been, for want of a better description... 'cast adrift'. And until the High Council or one of the Anla'shok Sha'vei'e informed him of his new post... here he would remain. To wait... and hope -- to keep the candle burning, in the memory of those he served. And in echo of his youthful captain's ways...
"Anla'shok Veyshahk -- our fearless leader told me I'd find you here." Veyshahk's eyes snapped open, and he rose to his feet, and turned towards the entrance to the meditation chamber. Another Ranger stood there, short-bearded and haired, his expression severe. "I've got a proposal for you -- if you're interested in making a difference, that is."
"I will listen to your words -- but first..."
The human bowed respectfully in his direction. "Of course. Nathan Gardinier, recently promoted to the exalted rank of Val'na, at your service."
"At... my service?" Veyshahk frowned. "Forgive me, Val'na... but should it not be the other way around?"
"Well," Gardinier admitted, "In some respects, you're right -- that's a figure of speech. But specifically? -- let me be frank, Veyshahk... as it stands right now, you're the only member of the *Shard of Night*'s crew that didn't get dragged through that portal, out there... and a member of Val'na Tikopai's command staff, to boot. We need you, Veyshahk... no, *I* need your help."
"Then you have..."
"Your orders?" Gardinier nodded, and passed over a crystal. "Absolutely. The High Council finally made up its mind -- and now, Doctor, you're a member of my crew."
"I... see. And which White Star do you command, if you do not mind me asking?"
"Well, for the answer to that question..." Gardinier cryptically replied, "I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me."
And just like that, Veyshahk found he had a purpose again -- the wait was over, and as this was so, and since the majority of his possessions had been aboard the *Shard* when it had vanished, hardly any time at all was required to prepare himself for departure. And soon enough, Gardinier and he were making their way to one of Babylon 5's transit lounges -- and a few minutes later, they passed thorugh the jump gate and into hyperspace.
A few *more* minutes passed, then -- but finally, the moment came when Veyshahk could restrain his curiousity no longer.
"Ah, Val'na -- if you do *not* mind me asking..."
"Why wasn't my ship parked outside Babylon 5?" Gardinier began to grin. "Well, Veyshahk, it's like this... Na'lai Anderson!" the young Ranger captain suddenly barked, as he activated a comm control.
"Val'na." A solemn, equally youthful voice replied.
"Arien'sha na!"
Veyshahk's eyes widened, then -- as he watched a graceful, deep-blue warship materialize out of the hyperspace murk in front of them. "In Valen's Name!" Larger than the White Stars, this ship was -- but not quite so large as the *Shard*. Even so...
"So, Veyshahk." Gardinier inquired, as the transport arced below and up behind the new warship to enter its hangar bay. "What do you think?"
"It was rumored," he carefully replied, "That the Worker Caste was about to begin work on the production run for a new generation of White Stars -- but I was not aware that one of these ships had already been built!"
"Officially," Gardinier noted, "It hasn't. This is the prototype of the new cruiser-class White Stars -- and as such, there's... a few bugs in her systems that haven't *quite* been worked out just yet. But since the disappearance of your previous command in the Neilgeithan incident, the High Council's decided that someone still has to protect the crew of the *Excalibur*, in all the places they must walk."
"And that someone... is you and your crew."
"It is indeed." Gardinier finally grinned, then, as the hangar doors of his command opened, and he smoothly piloted the transport to its final resting place within.
"So, then -- this White Star would be numbered..."
"She isn't numbered, Veyshahk" Gardinier replied. "She's *named*."
"Named?" Veyshahk exclaimed, as he and Gardinier left the transport.
"He speaks the truth, Veyshahk." Abruptly, another Ranger strode into view -- a blonde-haired human female, as youthful as this ship's captain. "When we found out what our mission was going to be, the designers and the captain sat down together, and came up with a name that the High Council subsequently approved."
"Her name, in your tongue..." Gardinier drawled, "Is...
'Shaka'ta'rei'."
The Night's Dagger. Veyshahk drew a long breath -- now what was the phrase the humans used to describe his situation... ah, yes.
Out of the frying pan...
Into the fire?
* * *
[Cue Dramatic Music]
KLAIRIKA ALIDIAE
We are the Watchers...
[Klairika standing on the bridge of the SHARD OF NIGHT, an image of the EXCALIBUR hanging in the air in front of her.]
SHEYNELL KEYNES
We are the Warriors.
[Images: Sheynell at the tactical station, the battlecruiser firing its main gun and destroying a Drakh capital ship]
LARIEKEN
We are the Guardians...
[Image: Larieken defending his Captain against Z'shailyl attackers, warrior pike in hand]
VEYSHAHK
We are the Healers.
[Image: Veyshahk at his desk in MedSection, an image of the Drakh virus on his computer screen.]
DASOURI and NICHOLAS DAWSON
We are the exiles...
[Image: Nicholas in Engineering, Dasouri at the helm of the SHARD]
JULIA TIKOPAI
And I am the Seeker.
[Image: Julia's face, lit by candles, the stars of the Galaxy beyond]
KLAIRIKA ALIDIAE
We are the Rangers of the SHARD OF NIGHT, in this, the Earth Year 2267.
[Image: The SHARD OF NIGHT enters, from the left...]
JULIA TIKOPAI
This is our story.
[... before engaging darklight mode, and going into hyperspace.]
* * *
STAR AND CIRCLE:
"THE SEEKER'S FIRE"
"STAR AND CIRCLE" created by David Goldingay <dgolding@connect.ab.ca>
* * *
Legal Disclaimer:
BABYLON 5, CRUSADE and all characters and situations thereof are the creations and copyrighted property of J. Michael Straczynski and Babylonian Productions. This series is a non-profit creation for the purposes of private entertainment only. Original characters and situations are copyright of the author, 1997-2000.
* * *
Coming soon: Act I of Episode 13: "The Flame in the Crystal"