**"If President Clark and his Ministries had succeeded in their mission to activate the Shadow Vessel found on Ganymede, then the start of the Earth Civil War would have gone very differently. For instance, the escape of General William Hague in his flagship, the ALEXANDER, would not have been allowed, and as such, the forces arrayed at Babylon 5 would then have been insufficient to stop the invasion force lead by Captain Smith. As all now know, the man of the Hour, or, as some would like to still call him, traitor to everything we hold dear, then-Captain John Sheridan, acted to stop this cascade of events at its source, and as a result, began all that followed..."**
- From "Holding the Line: A history of the Army of Light."
* * *
9 Mar 2260. The edge of human space, beyond Tau Ceti.
Against the backdrop of space, the immensity of the void, very little is seen, or known, unless the instigators want it so. The eye is drawn to movement like air to the candle, and three objects moving against that void quickly become paramount. But then, something far more vivid catches the eye beyond those three objects, as space twists and opens up into the by-now familiar vortex of a jump point...
* * *
"Jump out complete." Commander Alwhin tersely reported to his fully alert Captain, as around them, the bridge of the NIOBE bustled at full alert status. "One Nova Class Dreadnaught, two Roosevelt-B's, and an Omega."
"ID's?
"As expected, the fleet units of Carrier Group 67; the TANTALUS, the ARMAGHAST, the INDOMITABLE and the APHRODITE." There was a pause, and then, Alwhin smiled. "The APHRODITE is hailing us, ma'am."
Bethany smiled, as around them, the new arrivals took up station below and around her own group's arrowhead formation. "Put that old rogue on, Commander; it's been over a year since McRobert and I have had words." The monitor engaged, to reveal the bridge of the Omega Class Destroyer APHRODITE, and center on it, the bearded, rugged face of her oldest friends in the fleet, Captain Iain McRobert.
McRobert had been one of the handful of Earth Captains to survive the Earth-Minbari War, but he hadn't taken the lure of higher promotions, preferring instead to stay where he was most useful...in deep space.
"And you too, Iain...glad to see that you could come and join our little party."
The smile faded. "Not so little anymore, it seems, with the attention certain parties are giving us just lately."
"Understood; for now, though, it pays for us not to discuss this over an open channel. Your ship, or mine?"
"Any excuse for a friendly visit is accepted, Captain; that also gives me an excuse to break out the bagpipes for your arrival." With a twinkle in his eye, McRobert broke the connection, and Bethany turned to her exec, who, of course, was rolling his eyes and desperately trying not to laugh.
"He never changes, does he?"
"Would you want him to?"
* * *
The door closed, and a now deadly serious Iain McRobert immediately activated the Security scrambler on his desk. Bethany nodded. "Now, we can talk in absolute safety."
"It's a worrying time when we have to do this around crews we know to be absolutely loyal to us...but there you have it. As we both know, the situation is getting ever grimmer...the junior captains in my carrier group have been forced to secure and detain half a dozen Nightwatch agents on board their commands, in addition to the three my officers located onboard the APHRODITE."
"Worse luck; I will assume that they didn't get a message out about our location and intentions to Clark's forces?"
"One would assume not, given that we haven't been ambushed by anybody that I know of." McRobert stopped, and took a deep breath.
"Let's cut straight to the chase, shall we?...the patrol cycle we've been conducting, with the occasional resupply stop and engagement thrown in for good measure, is about to come to an end. I have taken the liberty of noticing that this is not a isolated example; just about without exception, most of the Earthforce units along the Rim have been recalled to the Inner Colonies or to Earthspace...my forces were nearer then most, but even so, we are still a significant number of jumps from Earth, and decision time is coming.
What are we going to do about the corruption falling over Earth, who is with us, who is not, and most importantly, *when* do we act?"
"All your points are critical ones, Iain, but General Hague's thinking ahead of us all, as is usual. A conference with the units under and loyal to him has been scheduled for next week; the actions we will take, relative both to individual unit orders and to our cause, will be revealed and discussed at that time. However, there are still Fleet orders to obey...we should already be enroute towards the Inner worlds...and, eventually, Earthspace."
McRobert nodded. "I only wish we were greater in number; between us, through our seniority, we control a fleet of seven vessels, but only two of those are Omegas, your destroyer, and mine."
She nodded. "It doesn't look good, Iain..but all's not lost, quite yet." She stood. "That's all I'm going to say for now. When the conference happens, we'll know more...one way or the other."
* * *
Babylon 5. 11 Mar 2260.
<Message Received>
Colvhar sat back in his chair, and slowly, but surely, read the message, and nodded. He keyed in a connection on the Stellarcom, and shortly thereafter, was talking with another.
"What news?"
"As expected; we have received a far clearer message then I would have believed previously. I will expect all of you still on Earth to take passage to Babylon 5 within the day."
"We understand, and obey." The link was unceremoniously cut, and Colvhar sighed. The pattern was accelerating towards its final form, and when that form was reached, the Rangers on Earth would all be gone, as the Entil'zha had decreed. What they had all been afraid of was about to happen, and there was no stopping it now.
* * *
12 Mar 2260. Evening.
"There is no longer any doubt in the matter; the rogue has revealed herself, and her ways are clear. After long study, my companion and I have decided that we can safely take her, contain her so that she does warn the rest, and return her to Headquarters for study."
"Excellent!...I did tell you, did I not, that there would come a moment when all our patience would pay off. Westcastle and his swiftly growing command will prove to be a hindrance to our plans; once Miss Tolmanes is removed, he is weakened by that loss, and the plans that our associates in Earthgov are pushing forward can only lead to one place..."
"A plan that Westcastle and his followers would give their lives to prevent from coming to fruition."
"If need be, yes; their loss would be...difficult to deal with, but acceptable at this stage."
"We understand." The link was harshly cut.
* * *
It had been another long day, but Brianna finally believed she was getting closer to the answers she searched for. Kosh had helped her to control the strain of serving Ulkesh, and for now, that was enough...and her focus in helping Talion control what little abilities he possessed also gave her relief, when William and the Council weren't sending her on intelligence gathering missions both on station and, on one occasion, elsewhere. She palmed the entry key to her quarters, when of a sudden, a dark intrusion into her mind make her gasp, and whirl.
"We've been waiting a long time for you to make just such a mistake, Rogue..." the man down the hallway, a man all in black, drawled. Without pause, another stepped out of the shadows, and Brianna desperately fought down the panic inside. These were Psi Corps...and Bloodhounds by the look of it. A very small and secret group, sent, it seemed, to capture her...
Not if *she* had anything to say about it!
"Don't come any closer...you don't want to make this mistake."
The Psicorp agent inclined one eyebrow in disbelief. "Mistake? Please, Miss Tolmanes, we are both P12's, and at a glance, I cannot believe you any more then about P9...strong, yes, but not to our caliber. Surrender to us, and we will go easily on you. Do not, and we will put you through an eternity of pain."
She paused...and of a sudden, the rush of energy that she knew for Kosh burst into her mind. #Cross the borders of belief, and survive# She paused, astonished by this message, and then, the meaning came clear.
"P9?? Is that how strong you think I am??"
"Don't try to play mind games with us, witch; we've been watching you ever since you returned to this place, and you have not displayed anything stronger then that. From that, it is clear how strong you are; resistance is futile." The two stepped forward, and Brianna steeled herself to do what had to be done.
"Brianna!" Talion exclaimed, as he burst into view around the corner, "Don't give in!!"
"You fool!" the Bloodhound exclaimed, as Talion bowled into him, "You will pay for this intrusion!"
NOW she had to act...before the enraged Psi Corps agents could take out their anger on a victim unable to withstand their rage. Without pause, she grasped their minds simultaneously, and struck, hard, against their fortified barriers. There was a brief pause...and then, to her astonishment, she was in.
The two agents howled briefly, hands raised to their heads, and then, they collapsed...at which point Tharvonn, alerted, it seemed, by Talion, rushed round the corner, with three more Rangers in tow. "Anla'shok Tolmanes.." he inquired bruesquely, "Are you well?"
The shock of what she had just done hit then...two, fully trained P12's...and she had managed to neutralize them...with maximum effort, mind you...but she *had* done it.
She was STRONGER then P12...what in the name of *Valen* had the Vorlons done to her?
* * *
The next day.
"Report."William ordered.
"Belief is not asked for..." Shival replied, his gaze speculative, "But all indications are that the two agents of the Psi Corps who attacked Anla'shok Tolmanes were thrust into a deep coma during her defense against them. There appears to be a great deal of brain damage, and should they ever reawaken, it is certain that their telepathic abilities will have been reduced significantly."
"I see..." William turned his gaze to a subdued Brianna, sitting nearby. "There are many things you didn't tell me about your visit to the Vorlons, Brianna, I will assume that this was one of them?"
"There are things I CANNOT tell you, William...things that I've been conditioned not to reveal. My service to the Vorlons is equal to my service to you, Sha'vei...but know that I can, and WILL defend our command against such intrusions...and I will not allow the Psi Corps to capture me."
"Is that all you can give me?"
"That is all...there is nothing more to tell. May I go now?"
William nodded, half in irritation, and Brianna almost ran out of the room.
"Significant." Shival intoned darkly. "We will see what this means, in due course."
"Perhaps..." William replied. "But who knows, with the Vorlons having a hand in this?"
* * *
Elsewhere.
"Damnit, Kosh!...two PSI CORPS agents attacked her! How can you expect me not to help? We are in the same situation, we have been through the same things, for all I know, we might even have been on the Vorlon Homeworld at the same time!"
"##Do NOT interfere in the affairs of the Others##"
"That's not fair!"
Silence.
"Why won't you answer me?"
"##The tools do not touch one another; know your place##"
The Vorlon turned to depart, and she who remained reached up, and wiped a single tear from her cheek. Before now, it had been simple...but there was a more hostile side to the Vorlons, that she already *knew*...and to be refused permission to even *meet* this Other...it was intolerable. But they served different masters, and as such, it paid not to disobey.
* * *
15 Mar 2260...The Io Transfer Station.
General William Hague reclined in his chair, deep in thought. Things were not going as well as he had hoped. Despite all the effort put in at recruiting members of Earthforce to the cause, they were still so very *few* in number. Among those he counted as allies, though, were figures of strength...Bethany Tikopai, Iain McRobert, Sandra Hiroshi, Robert Hardishane, and, of course, John Sheridan at Babylon 5..that had been a coup in itself.
Below those leaders were a group of more junior officers who would follow them into death, if necessary.. but when the shoe dropped, the forces arrayed in support of President Clark would crush them all..there was simply not *enough* of them to win.
A plan was needed...a daring plan...a plan that would involve certain sacrifices...that demanded action, and as leader of the Rebellion, it would fall to him to draw the fire...and perhaps, to Sheridan, as well. For when Clark's forces came to Babylon 5, it was very clear what Sheridan's response would probably be.
"Sir?"
Hague looked up, and managed a smile. "Yes, Major Ryan?"
"We've managed to secure a number of Gold Channel Links to the Tachyon grid, sir; Captain's Hiroshi, McRobert, Tikopai and Hardishane are all waiting to talk to you, as per your orders."
"Excellent; thank you, Major..that will be all."
Hague turned to his communication system, and entered a number of commands, splitting the screen into four different channels, upon which appeared the faces of the most senior captains loyal to him. It would be a difficult choice amongst them...who was to survive...and who was to run, in the most visible manner. The choice was difficult...but it had to be made.
"Ladies and Gentlemen..." he began, "There are difficult decisions ahead of us, but we no longer have the luxury of time we once had.
Amongst the four of you, we can count on the use of thirteen ships of the Line; additionally, the carrier group that follows my flagship, the ALEXANDER, is available for our cause, as well. Some of this force must be maintained for the battles to come; as such, we cannot endanger them, and when it begins, you must set aside your beliefs, and leave behind the worlds you have sworn to protect. There is no longer any choice, for at some point in the future, there will come a time when the people will grow so oppressed that other Earthforce units will be galvanized to act...but that time is not yet.
Others among you must allow the rest to do what they must...you must follow a different path...and a more difficult one, for if the others are to escape, we must draw the fire and anger of the Loyalists...and it is likely that we will die in that action."
"Sir!!" Bethany Tikopai hotly retorted, "Can I assume from your comments that you intend to be the one to lead this attempt?"
"Yes, Captain...you can."
"With all due respect, sir, you are our leader, without you, we will have no guiding purpose, and no rules to follow!"
"There comes a time, Captain, when others must step forward to fill that void. You are one such; if my command fails in its duty, then it will fall to you and the others to assume responsibility for the effort to come. If all goes well, you will not stand alone, but there are no guarentees, only hopes. In any case, I have decided; arguments will not be accepted at this stage. Is this understood?"
The four captains nodded, Tikopai a little resentfully.
"Good; your assignments will be as follows. Captain's Tikopai and McRobert, the orders given to you by the Earthforce Chiefs of Staff will place you in Jovian space early in April. At that time, I hope to rendezvous with you and pass over to your command any further units who have joined us. Captain Hardishane, it is my intention for you and your carrier group to pass through the Vega Sector enroute to joining Captain Tikopai's forces at the rendezvous point near the edge of Centauri space..but ONLY once hostilities have begun; there may be a number of units in that region who will stand ready to join with you.
Captain Hiroshi...it is with regret that I must ask you to join with me in drawing the fire of the loyalists, first in the Proxima and Orion sectors, and then, if all goes well, at Babylon 5. Captain Sheridan and his crew will need all the help they can get, and the CHURCHILL, the ALEXANDER and all who follow us will, God willing, be enough to help draw the line. Are there any questions at this time?...your orders are clear and concise, and copies will be transmitted to your units within the hour."
The four captains paused, and then, almost as one, shook their heads.
"Very well, then...there is little more to say, and nothing more to add. I wish you well in your efforts; Hague out." The General quickly cut the link..done was done." He touched his link. "Major Ryan?"
"Sir?"
"Make ready to transfer to the ALEXANDER. We're not done yet."
* * *
Bethany sat back, still trying to assimilate the dark message that General Hague had given her. For the General to come to the point so quickly, things were almost certainly coming to a head; their actions in the next month would tell the tale of who would live..
And who would almost *certainly* die.
* * *
18 Mar 2260.
"Sha'vei Westcastle...it's good to see you again."
"And you, Lennier." William replied. "I trust that all is well with you?"
"With *me*, yes...perhaps that is true, but not with the Ambassador. Captain Sheridan's increasing concerns with the situation back on Earth are causing her to worry more then I would wish, and other matters are weighing on her as well."
Lennier paused to collect his thoughts. "However, my concerns are not yours..and this is not the reason you have been summoned here...I will allow the Ambassador to tell you that herself." Lennier left the room, and William tried to allow the faint chimes to relax him, as they sometimes had in the Ranger Compound at Tuzanor...but relaxation was, it seemed, no longer possible in this time of Conflict...a noise alerted him, and he turned, and quickly came to his feet, as Delenn entered the room.
"Ambassador...I have come, as you requested. How may I serve?"
"Sha'vei...I thank you for coming so quickly; there is very little time, and a great deal that needs to be done. The Religious Caste has just concluded final tests on the second White Star, and as such, there are matters that require its immediate use."
He straightened a little; it was immediately clear what Delenn was offering him. "May I assume that the First White Star is unavailable at this time for these...matters?"
"You *may*, yes."
*That* inference was equally clear...there were many things that he did not need to hear. Rangers were, among other things, soldiers, and Delenn was one of their commanders...while he lead the group on Babylon 5, she and Sheridan were, for want of a better word, their Generals. He bowed. "Of course; I will leave immediately."
Delenn smiled. "Good; I have, from the beginning, had the greatest faith in your abilities to do what must be done, Sha'vei Westcastle. Continue this, and the Entil'zha may have greater things in store for you then commanding the Rangers of Babylon 5."
An equally clear reference; he nodded briskly. "Is there anything else that I need to know?"
"Two things. Knowledge of the second White Star must, for now, stay within the Rangers...and that Lennier will give you your orders on the way out. Do not delay...much depends on the success of what you what you do now."
He saluted. "I go then, in Valen's Name."
* * *
"It is difficult on you..." Shival commented, as Jennie ran over the reports on William's desk, "To fill in, as you humans say, the shoes of those you serve or love."
"William, Brianna and Talion go to do what they must, Shival...and in the meantime, we will do here what we must. And if I have to be the Sha'vei of Babylon 5 for a week, or a month, or however long it takes, then I will do the job, to the best of my abilities, while also doing what I have to."
"Explain."
"Not so long ago, I had a Vorlon tell me that I was destined to Observe, and if that wasn't enough, a Narn and...another told me exactly the same thing. So...I will do the job, but I also write down what I see and record what I know, for if we succeed, there must be something to warn our descendents not to make the same mistakes we do, must there not?"
Shival only smiled as he left the room.
* * *
Next: "Shades of Determination" concludes in fire, in alert and in a mission that must succeed at all costs. Coming soon...