"STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE"
EPISODE ELEVEN: "POSSESSIVE NECESSITIES"

         (disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture)

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        <<ENVOI>>

        Interstellar Alliance Battlecruiser 'Shard of Night' -- enroute to Minbar. July 16th, 2267.

        "Signal incoming from ISA Headquarters on Minbar." Larieken reported, his voice neutral -- although his face suggested something otherwise. "It is the High Councillor."

        "Are you ready..." Julia asked Dechene, as she rose out of the captain's chair, "To face the music?"

        The intelligence Ranger shrugged. "May as well get it over with, I suppose."

        "Well, well..." William Westcastle muttered a moment later as his image came into being in front of them, "Given that Ambassador Berazkran hasn't tried to bring us all up on charges for invading his planet yet, I'm going to assume that the mission was a success?"

        "It wasn't as easy as it could have been, sir..." she replied, "But yes... we got the job done."

        "Anla'shok Dechene -- what are your own thoughts on this matter?" Westcastle inquired, his expression showing he *definitely* wanted a second opinion, this time around.

        "Well, sir, I wasn't sure exactly what this crew was capable of when I first came aboard -- but even though they can be a bunch of wild cards at times, I've been pleasantly surprised by the performance of Tikopai and her people. They got the job done, and even though they went about it in a more... unorthodox way then I would of under the same circumstances -- what she said was accurate, sir. We rescued the 'Shard of Night's first officer without too much trouble, and ensured that the Brakiri won't be able to sell the news of her existence to anyone -- anywhere."

        "And what of this technology they invented, this 're-education' device?" Westcastle inquired, a frown creasing his face. "Were you able to do something about that, as well?"

        "In coordination with a few unexpected allies... yes, we were!"

        "Explain."

        "Turns out that around the time Na'lai Alidiae's mother attempted to reprogram her daughter, one of the more powerful Chadi brotherhood leaders decided that he wasn't going to... ah, 'take it anymore' is probably the simplest way of describing the situation. After we left Brakos nearspace, a few of our sources revealed that the primary lab where the research was taking place was attacked the same night we went in to retrieve our lost Ranger. Looks like they destroyed it -- there were no survivors."

        "I won't say I'm glad to hear to lives were lost pursuing this technology... but damn it all, we can't afford to let something like that loose on the galaxy, especially not now, with the Earth Alliance thrown into chaos because of the plague and the Drakh waiting to take advantage of every slip we make. No, you both did the best you could, under the circumstances. And Julia..."

        "Sir?"

        "I'm expecting you to take a few days off when you return -- your first officer, especially, deserves some rest after her ordeal. And I'm sure..."

        Jennifer, of course, would want to invite Klairika and the rest of the senior crew over for dinner, at the very least -- every once in a while, the kids would go off to play with David Sheridan -- they were quite safe, of course, under the supervision of a 'babysitter' who also *just* happened to be John Sheridan's wife. "Understood, sir -- loud and clear. And now that the latest crisis appears to be over...?"

        Westcastle smiled. "We'll talk more when you reach Minbar. ISA Headquarters, out."

        "Well," Julia muttered, as she finally settled back into her seat, "I suppose all's well that end's well, right?"

        Dawson snorted from his station near the back of the forward bridge hemisphere. "Don't be so sure -- now you've embarassed grande dame Alidiae, it's not over 'til the fat lady sings."

        Julia sighed, as she briefly met Klairika's eyes, and watched her Brakiri friend nod solemnly. They would have to be careful, this was certain -- because embarassment wasn't exactly the word she was thinking of.

        That word... was revenge. Another enemy, another emnity made -- when would it end?

        She knew the answer to that, of course, even though she didn't have to like it.

        When the mission was over -- and not a moment before.

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        Brakos -- Heiljamar. Karea'niga tower.

        "The humans have been known to say that revenge is a dish best served cold..." Sionaya Alidiae observed, as Berane and Kareina knelt on the far side of her great desk. "An interesting phrase, wouldn't you agree?"

        "That would depend," Berane carefully replied, "Who the target is."

        "And how long the emnity is held." Kareina added, her tone wary. "Especially if family is involved."

        "Ah yes -- family *is* involved -- but fear *not*, despite what you both may think, I am not refering to either of you." Sionaya watched the two younger Brakiri relax with no small amount of sadistic amusement -- she would return to this eventually, but not here, and not now. "At least not yet. I will not forget, however, the *position* you almost put me in!"

        "You refer to Taklaeih's 'proposal', of course."

        "And other matters, as well. If the Chadi had not turned aside as they did at the last moment, we would now stand in debt to that... awerahl` and his sons -- it is apparent that someone warned them the machine had been destroyed before they arrived -- this suggests a leak somewhere in the syndicate.

        You will find the traitor for me. And I expect neither of you to return until this... task is completed."

        "And if no traitor exists, what then?" Kariena sharply replied.

        "Well... you will be gone a *very* long time then, won't you?"

        Sionaya's amusement deepened as she watched their faces go pale -- this 'command' amounted to exile, of course -- and even if there were traitors within her ranks, she would make quite sure that neither Berane nor Kareina found them for the forseeable future. "We understand." Berane managed. "We will redeem ourselves in your eyes, Nei-leidrei -- so do we swear."

        "I doubt that... *very* much. Now begone!"

        They went -- and the shadows lengthened in the office. After a time, another figure stepped out of those shadows, a figure hooded and cloaked in black... and Sionaya inclined her head in its direction. "Is this to your satisfaction?"

        "It will... suffice. You keep your bargains, Nei-leidrei Alidiae, as we had hoped. And now that this is so, the planning must begin anew. The day of your revenge will come, now that we are at your side."

        "And will the day come when you show me your face?" she asked.

        An eye glinted in the darkness -- an eye full of amusement. "If all goes as we have forseen -- you will see that... *and* more."

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        Some time thereafter, a connection was established, and words were spoken.

        "A failure, then."

        "As you had predicted, great leader -- the human female possesses great strength -- while those who follow her walk in the shadow of her light, and prosper."

        "Prosper, you say?" the reply came, both bitter and vengeful at the same time. "Their victories are now numerous, this is true -- but in the end, even the fires of victory must eventually burn down to ashes. And when that happens, when true night comes... we will be there to feast upon their bones!"

        "Their bones, we shall consume." the dark figure agreed. "As it once was, and is... so shall it be again."

        "So *shall* it be -- now continue your work, my friend.

        We will speak again... soon enough."

        And there, the conversation ended.

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