(disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture)
* * *
<<ACT TWO>>
The Tower of Lai'reati, Yedor, Minbar.
"A beginning, you say?" Kozorr inquired, as Rahkeel and Tirivail both gazeed upon the hologram that had just appeared before them, in complete silence now that their Shai Alyt was about to make known his thoughts on the matter at hand. "I would rather term it 'the beginning that should have been'... no, the beginning that *would* have been, had not Delenn made the choice to interfere with our plans. Had not she turned OUR creation, the vessel we had invested so much time and resources in constructing, into Sheridan's hands... into the hands of his ALLIANCE."
"But..." Rahkeel began, before a glare from Kozorr silenced him.
"But, Alyt?" Kozorr barked. "But *nothing*! He was given a chance to make the right decision.. *I* gave him an opportunity to make right what once was wrong -- but any hope of cooperation has now been swept aside by the decisions that he and Delenn have chosen to make since that fateful moment of turning and division. Yes, Rahkeel, I do understand the point you were about to make, that for a time concessions were made!... that for a time you and your Warriors were allowed to crew 'Vi'dalae An'shaka' -- but you know, as well as I do, that Sheridan was only looking for an excuse to turn his new possession over into the hands of the Anla'shok. The Drakh, as we all know, gave him that excuse, when they attacked his homeworld, and poisoned its people!"
Kozorr fell silent for a moment then, his eyes narrow, his gaze contemplative, as he gazed once more upon the image of the ship hovering above his desk. Like the battlecruiser that Sheridan and Delenn had taken away from the Warrior Caste, the STORMWIND also showed its White Star ancestry to those who looked closely, but not so closely. Instead of one hull, the newer battlecruiser possessed *three* hulls symmetric around a bridge module positioned in the middle of an otherwise hollow core, the hulls connected by two sets of arching bridges fore and aft, each hull with its own engines and multiple weapons emplacements. Tirivail gazed upon the image with rapt admiration -- yet again, the engineers of her kind had performed a miracle -- this new ship of space, different again from the war cruisers, different from the White Stars, and *very* different from the vessel most Anla'shok named SHARD OF NIGHT -- and echoing, as no other ship other then the Nial-class fighter before it had, the triadic nature of her culture and her people.
It was a ship for a warrior. A ship for a Storm Dancer, such as herself. She laughed -- the name was apt. With *this* ship, one might even dance with the lightning, itself...
"Those that arranged to have our *first* creation built, myself included, were displeased to say the least, when this happened." Kozorr continued. "For a time, we could do nothing... but you must understand, even before you were cast out by Sheridan, Rahkeel, that the decision was made to begin anew, in a new location -- a far more secret location then the one used before. And even as the Anla'shok took Varsak's creation into the night we know, this new vessel was approaching completion."
"And the creator?" Rahkeel exclaimed. "Surely it was not..."
"No! Varsak was not the one responsible for this design. The architect... the individual responsible for this creation, she was cast out for daring to speak out against that prideful fool of a Minbari -- for daring to question his 'genius'. The STORMWIND's creator... *she* is named Illithan."
Tirivail made a small noise, and the Shai Alyt rotated on his boot and nodded. "I see that you recognize that name."
"Yes, Shai Alyt. Illithan was also a member of the group that helped to create the White Stars..." she recalled. "I remember that time well, for reasons I am certain you will understand. So displeased was I by my sister's... choices that I found myself gathering information about the changes that *human* Sinclair was making even as the whirlwind itself swirled around us, the whirlwind of chaos begat by the Shadows. I gathered information so that I might catalogue my sister's trangressions for later reference, as... ammunition to use against her, should the moment arise. The names of those individuals responsible for the White Star design was one such item."
"A valuable habit, Sha'liat Tirivail!" Kozorr allowed. "A valuable habit, indeed. Now, where was I... ah, yes. Illithan was cast out by Varsak in a fit of pique, and as such, was ripe to be influenced by those interested in attempting to build another vessel controlled only by our caste. She was more then willing to help us in this new and more secret project... more then willing to come up with a warship that might even outperform her rival's project... if that should prove necessary. This she did... and thus, the STORMWIND came into being. It uses many of the same technologies as Varsak's creation, can do many of the same things. But at the same time, it can do things the changeling's command cannot, as you will both soon discover. It is our 'sheizok' to fling in the eyes of our enemies, claws outstretched -- it is the weapon we will use to erase the mistakes that have been made."
"So..." Rahkeel mused, "You still intend to have 'Vi'dalae An'shaka' destroyed, then?"
"No, nothing so dramatic as that, Alyt..." Kozorr replied, his face now difficult to read. "But accidents do happen, do they not?"
"Yes, they do indeed..." Rahkeel murmured, as a dark light appeared in his eyes. "There are so very many dangers in space... and hyperspace, now that is worse, isn't it? And though I have nothing against the humans using the EXCALIBUR to search for a cure to the Drakh plague, the EXCALIBUR is a destroyer, and its crew is more then capable of taking care of itself. They don't really need a protector at all, do they?"
Accidents... do happen."
"Rahkeel!" Tirivail angrily hissed, "Could you please be a *little* more obvious? The way you're going, this plan will be on Sheridan's desk before we leave Minbar nearspace!"
"The Sha'liat is correct, Alyt!" Kozorr warned. "I believed that I had chosen well in summoning you here -- I thought I had chosen wisely the Minbari to command the STORMWIND, in my name, and all the others who hold an interest in this matter... but understand this, and understand it well, or lose this chance to please me, and carry out this mission. If Delenn, Sheridan and the Anla'shok discover that we, and by 'we' I mean *you* were responsible for the destruction of 'their' ship and the deaths of some or all of the foolish young Anla'shok that serve upon it, I assure you that every connection between the Warrior Caste and those aboard the STORMWIND will be severed. I am more then capable of making this look like an act of revenge on your part, ALYT... while the Sha'liat here will do no better, due to the emnity between her and her elder sister, who is, I believe, Anla'shok Val'na and second in command of the White Star Fleet?"
Rahkeel, his face now white, nodded numbly, while Tirivail, who had been all too pleased only a moment before, was barely able to restrain herself from striking out at Rahkeel, so furious was she at his... transgression. "We will not be pleased to lose this command, Rahkeel, but if you make it necessary, if you force us to sever those ties, we will. But be assured, if Delenn and Sheridan do not punish you for your... crimes, someone else will."
"Minbari do not kill Minbari!" Rahkeel exclaimed.
"Who said anything about dying?" Kozorr replied, his voice a blade within the sudden silence that now filled the sanctum. "Do I make myself clear, Alyt Rahkeel, Sha'liat Tirivail?"
"You do, Shai Alyt." they both assured him.
"So be it, then." the leader of the Warrior Caste finalized, his expression grim and yet pleased at the same time. "Then let this movement of fire and shadow begin!"
* * *
His steps measured but sure, Palakz once again approached the arena that was his -- the arena of command and of shadows that held its focus on the command-bridge of his fleet carrier, NELAZIZ... the vessel he had commanded for over three lost revolutions now, since the death of the carrier's previous Vekh'shivalht in the mad scrabble for position within the warrior orders of the Entire that had followed the destruction of Z'ha'dum. NELAZIZ had suffered damage at the hands of the human destroyers at Sinzar, but that damage had now been erased in its most recent refit... those who had lost their lives in the battle replaced by others willing to take up their tasks, their light cruisers ready and waiting on the belly of his massive command. Palakz narrowed his eyes then, however, as he took his seat at the centre of the command-bridge -- the data they had brought back from the Battle of Sinzar showed how powerful the adversary's weapons were. And while the Nak'laht had reinforced the NELAZIZ's armor during the resupply, would this be enough to take on their Vorlon-aided enemy?
A familiar hand came down on the side of his chair, then, and Palakz snorted, before banishing those thoughts from his mind. It was clear that a direct assault on the Adversary would be ill-advised. A more... devious plan was called for -- and Palakz now believed he knew what the first step in this mission might be. "Raeznon..." he began, "Your report?"
"I see that you have been *most* persuasive, Vekh'shivalht." his Favored Claw noted wryly, her eyes already glinting with the thrill of the hunt to come. "The five battle-carriers and eight escorts of our reformed Order stand ready on your order -- reveal to me your thoughts on our hunt for the Adversary."
"As you wish, my Vaarliht!... as you wish - attend. As you well understand from our previous encounter with the enemy, a direct assault upon his position would *appear* to be ill-advised. We know nothing of him, we do not even know what his ship looks like. This is a dangerous situation, Raeznon -- a situation, now that I have examined it at length, which I consider intolerable. As such, we must begin the task of acquiring intelligence data about our enemy. Once we have this data, we may then begin the task of planning a trap for them -- a trap they will not easily escape from... if at all."
"This may... take some time, Vekh'shivalht." Raeznon warned her commander. "But I know you too well -- the more difficult to attain aspects of this 'problem' do not, at the moment... concern you, then?"
"That is correct." Palakz replied. "But the first step must be taken before the claw can be unsheathed... and as such, you will prepare to set course for our first destination."
"And that would be?"
Palakz smiled a terrifying smile. "Why, the primeworld of the Centauri, of course.
*Best* possible speed."
* * *
ISAS SHARD OF NIGHT -- late in the night of April 7-8, 2267.
<chime>
"Go away!"
<CHIME>
"Didn't... didn't you here me the first time?" Nicholas bellowed, glass in hand. "I don't want to talk to you -- I don't want to talk... to anybody."
"I cannot accept that, Nicholas -- let me in. We *need* to talk."
Nicholas frowned, through the haze he'd thrown in front of life. Sheynell? "You don't want to see me like this -- no one should have to see me like this."
A wry, almost mocking laugh followed that comment. "And do you *really* believe I haven't seen worse, Nicholas? That *I*, myself, haven't ever fallen farther then you have, in this moment?"
He blinked at that, and slowly set his almost-empty glass down. "You know... I haven't got a *clue* what you're talking about."
"No -- I'm sure you don't. But if you let me in, I assure you that certain matters will start to become clearer."
Oh, what the Hell -- what difference did it make, at this point? "Open!" he commanded, and the door did exactly that, a moment later revealing the light-rimmed figure of the telepath beyond.
"You're drunk, Nicholas." Sheynell critically observed. "And as near as I can tell from your reactions, it's been a *very* long time since you've been as drunk as you are now."
"And what, madame mind-reader, would be your point exactly?" he exclaimed. "And why should you care how drunk I am?"
Sheynell's eyes flared at that. "Why should I care, Nicholas? I care because I've *endured* more pain then you can possibly comprehend in the service of the Psi Corps, and more pain yet because of the way I survived its destruction. I care because you reached out to me as a friend when we both came aboard the SHARD to begin this mission... and I *care* because circumstances forced me to abandon a sister I still love, as well as a niece only ten years younger then myself... because I'm telepathic, and they're not! I know what it is to lose a family, Nicholas... forever. I know what you're feeling -- and I understand why you've done what you have.
But that doesn't mean I have to accept it." the Ranger continued a moment later, her tone now softer. "You can't run away from your pain like this, Nicholas... it's not going to work, you know. And when she finally does die... and she will, I've read the report our Val'na received from President Sheridan... if you continue on your present path, you'll go over the edge, and onto her path."
"What?" he got out, as (distantly) he began to realize he was slowly beginning to sway. "You're not saying... what I, what I *think* you're trying to say, are you?"
"Yes. I am."
"I'd... *never* do that, Sheynell!" he managed, as she slowly began to guide him over towards his bed. "But I had to do something. And this... this seemed like a good idea, at the time."
"There are better ideas, and other things you can do, you know." she assured him. "Being one of the best engineers our race has ever produced has to be good for something, you know."
Nicholas frowned, anew, even as the world began to spin away from him, out of control. That had a ring to it, somehow... now what *was* she getting at?
Unfortunately for him, it was at that moment that brain and body decided to go in two completely seperate directions, as he passed out.
* * *
"Oops." Sheynell muttered, as Nicholas managed to quite solidly slam his head against the wall behind his bed, before sliding down beneath the covers, already snoring. "Guess I should've seen *that* one coming."
"Sheynell." She turned, as the door to the Dawson quarters opened again, revealing the slim-shouldered figure of Julia just beyond. "Will he... be all right, do you think?"
"I think so, yes... although he's definitely going to have one Hell of a headache in the morning, I'm afraid."
Julia smiled at that remark... a little, as the two women came together, and left Nicholas to his slumber. "Yes, I remember how that works, all right."
"You're not trying to tell what I *think* you trying to tell me, are you?"
"Indeed I am." Julia whispered, her eyes now faraway. "It was right after the end of the Shadow War, as a matter of fact -- and the commanding officer of Babylon 5 decided to host a party..."
* * *
Elsewhere, two Minbari came together, and a discussion occured.
"Do you know what is intended?"
"Yes, I do. I know what they will want to do, and why. I understand their reasons for wanting to do this, and we will support them in this matter, as we have supported our benefactors, since the beginning."
"But... but this may mean the end of all we have known. Are you so willng to accept the loss that is, in return for the loss to come?"
"Yes! He has hurt me, more then he can possibly understand! He hurt me in a fashion I could not ignore -- and so, I have done what the Shai Alyt wanted me to do... I have built for them their ship of vengeance, and I shall join them on this very different crusade, but for my own reasons."
"So... you mean to kill him, then?"
Illithan of the Worker Caste shook her head at this question, and smiled her trademark mirthless smile, as the now-familiar rumble of the STORMWIND's main drive continued to climb in pitch. "No. Although by the time we are finished with him, perhaps he will wish that we had."
* * *
"The answers we need, Tirivail, can only be found in one place..." Rahkeel concluded pensively, as the STORMWIND leapt away from its parking orbit high over Minbar's north polar regions. "And with one person."
"And interestingly enough, or perhaps not, " Tirivail replied, "Our chief engineer appears to agree. You are correct, Alyt -- we must find the master Worker known as Varsak -- the individual most responsible for the construction of the vessel we seek... and extract from him the information we require to find that starship, and fulfill our Shai Alyt's... commands. He is the creator, banished by the users of his creation for the crime of pride -- and we can use that pride against him, to gain the answers we seek."
"And you *know* where he is, then?"
Tirivail smiled, as she turned the STORMWIND back towards Minbar, and prepared to open a jump point. "Oh, yes, Alyt -- we know *exactly* where Varsak is.
And exactly how to get to him."
And even as his new command vanished into hyperspace, Rahkeel could not help but note how uneasy his new first officer made him... especially when she was being this... ruthless. Nevertheless, she certainly did know how to do her job, and that was by far the more important consideration, for the time being.
* * *
I remember, and Observe, how more then once in my experience, and in those I have touched over the years, how the best possible choice was made for the worst possible reasons.
This was one such moment -- and it gave us all *so* much pain, before we escaped from the fate yet to come.