**"And that was how we met Julia Tikopai for the first time; her brilliance was astonishing...almost frightening, as a matter of fact, and how she accepted the situation we were all in was fascinating enough in itself, and a completely different take on what we had seen it to be so far. It became clear right away that Julia was another like me, an Observer; which started leading me to ask certain questions...for instance, how many Observers were there, and if more then Julia and I, were there Observers working for the Shadows, as well??
The answer to that question would come far too soon for anyone's liking..."**
- From "Storm Crossing..."
* * *
Mid April, 2260.
The moving had ended, but even now, the bustle within Babylon 5's new Ranger compound went on. Julia watched from the skybridge she had inhabited for some hours how, and continued to practice her newfound belief in the skills she apparently shared with the Ranger, Jennifer Clifford.
In the short days since the secession of Babylon 5, she had seen William petition Captain Sheridan and Delenn for the clearly inevitable; now that the station stood alone, it only made sense for the Rangers to come out into the open, and set themselves up as a visible presence on the station.
As such, the two had 'loaned' B5's Ranger Command a section of the station's Garden for their use, and if anywhere was to have a view, this was it. The new compound, a set of small crystalline towers, sat on the edge of one of the station's small interior lakes, and near the base of one of the many transport/support 'stalks' that reached up to the Central axis, far above. The council had met near here right from the beginning, but now the rest of the organization was here, as well.
There were, as far as she could tell, now several hundred Rangers in-station on a regular basis; some came, some went, being about their still, to her, mysterious business out on the Rim.
Some things William, Jennifer and Brianna had told her right from the beginning, others had remained sealed from her...until now, that was. But that mysteriousness was about to come to a clear-cut end. The previous night, a young man who had identified himself as Talion Quintara had come to her borrowed quarters, and invited her to this place. The reasoning behind that summoning was as yet unclear, but they had allowed her plenty of time to wander, collect snatches of passing conversations...and as such, Observe what the station was becoming.
"Miss Tikopai??"
She looked up, and smiled. "Anla'shok Quintara; can I assume that the deliberations have concluded, and the Council has decided to address my application at long last??"
"I know not; only that our commanders are waiting to see you now." As they began walking, the Ranger added another comment. "Forgive me if I seem surprised by your actions, Miss Tikopai, but while you seem mature for your age, you are only...for Valen's sake, you are only thirteen years old!! No one youth, even one of your admittedly extreme intelligence, should be exposed to what we know."
She sighed, and shook her head in part irritation; she had been fighting this battle all her life, and even though the stakes had risen considerably since her rescue and revelation, it never seemed to change. "Talion...if I may be free to address you by your given name?...as you have no doubt already deduced, I am not an ordinary child of Earth.
My mother is now one of the paramount rebel leaders within the Fleet, and she and her command have only just now gone into hiding; the Nightwatch hunted me, and if I hadn't been touched by the force that calls itself Kosh, I might very well be in their hands as we speak! Also, I have been convincing people all my life that my intelligence rates nearly off the scale. I understand things that some Academy graduates do not; it sometimes isn't easy at all, but I have come to accept who I am...and I soon hope to understand the reason I've been drawn to this place...and into an alliance with the Rangers, as well."
"Your arguments have...merit, Miss Tikopai."
"I should hope so! As it is, I have also been guided to see that Anla'shok Clifford and I share a certain...talent. It seems that we're gifted with the ability to see the events of the times, put together a vision of those events, and record what is most important to those we hold dear. We OBSERVE, in the simplest sense of the word, and your esteemed high Commander, the Sha'vei, seems to think this is important. I do, too...but there are things I don't know yet, if I am to become...a protege to your Observer."
"And, eventually, perhaps, the youngest human Ranger known." A voice announced briskly, and the two turned as one to see...what was his name?...Shival approach. "Although this has yet to be finalized. Anla'shok Val'nna Clifford is highly interested in working with you, young one...but there remains the details to be dealt with."
She took a deep breath. "Forgive me if this seems rushed, sir, but I know, in my heart, that it's important to do this, I just don't know why, yet!"
Shival nodded. "As it should be, young acolyte; an important distinction, and one that makes you important to us, regardless of your age. However, I have been ordered by the Sha'vei to say no more then that...he and she who stands at his right hand have a great deal to tell you..some you will like, some you will not...and some things, you will find terrifying."
She bowed in understanding. "The Universe is sometimes a terrifying place; but we live in it, adapt and must understand; I Follow, and hope to learn from the path of giants."
"Hmm, yes...*and* a way with words, too, it seems. Follow me."
All too soon, she found herself in the Ranger Council chambers, a graceful, airy enclosure, and as Shival drew the doors closed behind her, both William and Jennifer rose to greet her. "Julia." William cautioned, as she took the seat offered by Jennifer, "I will get right to the meat of our problem; your situation is, to put it mildly, a unique one, and the Council spent a great deal of time deliberating your request. As it is, we finally did reach a decision...with help from several unexpected sources."
"And your decision is, Sha'vei?"
"Regardless of your...skills, there are certain aspects of our duties that cannot be applied to you because of your youth; it is our intention, however, to place you under Anla'shok Clifford's wing for the time being, to advance your skills in the ways of Observing. Along the way, Anla'shok Viridal and Shival will gradually instruct you in the ways of the Rangers, as would the Minbari instruct their youth; gradually, with honour, and most importantly, not all at once. Is this acceptable to you?"
She nodded. "It is. I must assume, also, that until the training is complete, however long it takes, that I will not be wearing what you wear; without the knowledge, there is no right."
"You are corrrect, but I have consulted with Shival, and those who help him were able to obtain your measure, and have produced this for you." William withdrew a bundle from under the table, and opened it. "Does this meet your approval...Julia??"
She gulped, and if only for a second, reverted to a VERY child-like pronounciation...
"Oh WOW!"
"Good; but now, we must deal with another matter, a far more serious one, and the reason we exist. There is something happening around us, Julia...something deadly, something dark; we have dedicated our lives to fighting this threat, and eventually, it is our hope that you may join us in that fight."
She sighed. "This is more then just President Clark and his tyranny, isn't it?"
"I'm afraid so, yes."
"Julia..." Jennifer continued, her smile mysterious. "There are forces in this universe that have existed in the Galaxy for millions of years. They have gone before us, building great empires, and fighting terrible wars of destruction. One such race, the oldest we know of, nearly destroyed the Minbari a thousand years ago, and if the Vorlons and Valen had not appeared to lead them, we would not be standing in this place now. This force has now returned, and spreads chaos across all we know.
The Minbari, and now the Rangers, know them as...the Shadows. We have no other name for them."
* * *
Rebel Rendezvous Point Three; The Flinn Colony Cometary Halo.
Starlight reflected off the scored and blackened hull of the NIOBE as Bethany flew her Starfury past the angular fighter bays at the front of the destroyer. Repair crews had been operating on her command almost non stop since their arrival in the outer reaches of Flinn System twenty hours before. It had been a stressful experience, to put it mildly. In the time since the Group's escape from Orion VII, they had been intercepted by more Earth ships on two occasions, forcing retreats and multi-gate jumps upon the harried crews.
During those frantic, exhausting runs, there had been no time to conduct repairs, and no replacement parts were available beyond those already stored aboard. The problem was critical, and whether or not a solution could be found was as yet uncertain.
However, all was not doom and darkness. Beyond the NIOBE's hull, a specter of diamond and silver once again rose into sight, the enormous, frozen cometary nucleus they had formed up on right after jumpout. The flickers of light on the comet's surface showed that the Volatile Teams were hard at work extracting useful water and other compounds from the nucleus, and sooner, rather then later, they would have to find a Iron-Nickel asteroid to mine; but until the pursuit slowed a little, any such plans were premature.
Survival, with all ships supporting their crews properly, was now her paramount concern...
But then, the chime of an incoming jump surge sounded in the fighter's cockpit, and the fear returned again, as, with only that warning, space twisted behind the comet, and opened up into a jump point. With a curse, she made ready for the worst, as the all-too familiar silouette of a Earth destroyer emerged into realspace...but only one? The Loyalists didn't usually operate that way...!
"Relax, Captain." a relieved sounding Deitrich Alwhin hailed from the bridge. "That's the ALEXANDER."
She let out the breath she had been holding. "Is..."
"I think I'd rather let Major Ryan tell you that himself; online."
"Major Ryan?"
"Captain Tikopai...I wasn't sure that we were going to find you here, but after finding nothing at the first two rendezvous points, this was the next logical choice." The major's voice grew grim. "I have both good and bad news; the general was killed several weeks ago during an ambush, but we were able to add our forces to Captain Sheridan's at Babylon 5, and with a little help from the Minbari, the station's secession from the Alliance was able to stand, though not without some moments I wouldn't want to repeat, soon."
She nodded. "Understood; Major, if you can tell me, please, what is the status of your command?"
"The ALEXANDER suffered no significant damage during the course of Babylon 5's secession...I wish I could say the same for Sandra Hiroshi's ship, but that's not a story, for now." Bethany read all she had to into that one sentence...the CHURCHILL had obviously *not* survived the battle. "Looks like you and yours have faired a little worse then us, however, Captain."
"You state the obvious, Major; we were jumped by three full carrier groups at Orion VII, trying to follow you, and in the process, we lost a Nova and one of my escorts, and took fairly serious damage on the rest. It's going to take a lot of time and a little bit of scrounging amongst the Outer Range Colonies, as well as stop offs at some decent asteroids for ore, before we're back up to reasonably full operating capacity. But I believe it can be done, and since we can't go home..."
"Maybe we'll be able to work something out with the alien governments in the sector." The major paused, as the ALEXANDER took up station several dozen shiplengths below and behind the NIOBE. "For now, though, I'll let you get back to your work, Captain; but if there's any help you require from my crew, just ask."
"Thank you, Major; I will. Tikopai out." Bethany spun her fighter on point, and made for the bays onboard. Sightseeing was over, for now; her crews knew what they were doing. But they were ten ships now, four of them destroyers. Hope had not completely gone...not as long as they were *free*.
* * *
"You've taught me something very special, son..." Charles Westcastle noted, a small glass of the wine that his son had brought to dinner in hand, one of the last resources of an era gone by, now that the station had seceded. "That I should never have given up on you or treated you so harshly. Your...Rangers, do you call them?...are a marvel and a wonder, and as for getting messages through, well now!"
William nodded as he dished out some of the admittedly expensive pasta he had aquired for the meal...but it was worth it, and the Command had indicated they would support the expense...no surprise there, of course. "Colvhar, my liason with the Resistance in Earthspace, was able to receive a message on our family's situation. My sister, as well as Uncle Victor, their family, and finally Mother, were freed from the clutches of the Nightwatch shortly after you escaped from them yourself, Father. They're safe...in hiding and out of sight, and regardless of what we do now, they will not be found; the Resistance contact assured me of this."
"Damn ridiculous, if you ask me, son, that two former Earthforce officers should have to put up with this fascist crap...but there you have it. I've been waiting for you to explain a little more of why you think this is so, but now I'm not so sure you're going to...and I wouldn't mind knowing *why*."
"I wish I could tell you, Dad...but that would be putting you in even more danger then you already are. Let's just say that President Clark, his allies and, ah, associates do not look kindly upon the matter of ANY resistance to their rule or plans, and if they found out what the Rangers intend, they would be even less pleased...and, perhaps, even try to destroy us.
The Nightwatch's purpose is to terrorize, and any known avenues used against the Resistance are akin to blackmail, and should be used. Hence, our family was attacked, because of me and *my* actions in resisting tyranny, and as I understand it, your objections; we can thank the Resistance for their quick action, Dad...none of us are in danger, any longer."
"Roundabout as always, but I get the point, son." His father eyed him grimly. "Minbari working with humans...never thought I'd see the day, but what do I know? Now though, we have a thornier problem to address, now that I know you're okay. I'm guessing I'm a little long in the tooth to try and run around in uniform with you fighting the baddies, so what do you think I should do with myself, now that I've finally reached Babylon 5?"
"I hate to say it, Dad, but this place is going to be the center of the storm around us; the worst has yet to break. Colvhar and his men will work gradually to move you back into Earthspace, and, eventually, back to the family, and they will keep you safe until we can turn this around, and free Earth."
"And you think you *can* pull that off, do you?"
"Eventually, yes."
The elder Westcastle paused for a moment, and then laughed, shook his head, and finished off the glass of wine. "Fair enough, son, I'll let you keep your secrets until you're ready to talk, since you've made it pretty clear I might have a heart attack if I knew the whole story...I don't need that, for now. Later on, maybe I can get young Julia to tell me about the whole thing, since she's obviously decided to stay here with you lot, and as they say, 'fight the good fight.' But to sum up, son, it sure looks like you've got something good going here with these Ranger types...something good, indeed."
* * *
Julia looked at herself in the mirror, and shivered all over. What she was now wearing, and what William expected her to wear when working with Jennifer, was a gray and brown subset of the cowled tunic and trousers that the Rangers wore on duty. While she wasn't one *yet*, the half-joking (to some, but not to others, such as that absolutely *fascinating* half-Minbari, half human lady, Delenn, who had met with William the other day) title of 'Acolyte' had appeared, and then spread like wildfire. Delenn had been quite serious about it, though, when she had learned what Julia was, and why she had come to Babylon 5.
"I was an Acolyte once...long ago, and in another life. It is a position of great trust, and one that should never be abused. Serve with honor and integrity, and all will go well for you."
Julia nodded in satisfaction. She couldn't help but agree, and eventually, in a year or two, when this was all over, she would make the trek to the City of Sorrows, and earn the missing jade and silver sign of the Anla'shok.
But that time was not yet.
##Prodigal Daughter## She whirled, and jumped, to see the enormous, frightening, and yet, familiar form in the doorway behind her.
"Kosh; I have come, as you asked. Are you pleased??"
##The decision is not the action; watch carefully, and learn## The Vorlon turned, and drifted out of the room. Julia shivered.
This was going to obviously be *very* interesting...Mother would either smile *or* kill her if she knew what her daugther was doing.
Or, more likely, both.
* * *
Kosh moved down the corridor, his thoughts complete. All the pieces were in place, now, on every level. Now all that remained was to see what would result.
* * *
Next...The Cha'hal'zhamon return, in "The Hidden Hand of War" coming soon...