*** "...it’s almost beyond belief that anyone survived that attack; afterwards it was clear who was responsible, although I would have to wait another 15 months to confront them face to face for the first time. When we took Westcastle on board, he was nearer to Death's doorway then just about anyone I had seen since the War.
That this would change in the years to come was only a reflection on where our actions took us..."
Emile Gauthier: "John Sheridan: The Man, the Myth"
* * *
October 16, 2258...
NightHawk system was BORING, and nothing Lieutenant Jennie Clifford tried seemed to change the facts. It was enough that she had been able to corner the lucrative (if you enjoyed flying) 'Fury patrols out past NightHawk V. 'Have to show the flag, do we? Too bad it's in such a backwater...
"WARNING. JUMP POINT FORMING, SECTOR 1 BY 1-5. COLLISION
IMMINENT."
"What the Hell?" she gasped, throwing her 'Fury into a tight downwards spiral as ahead and above, the massive, and deadly, blue cone of the jump point sprang into being. Whoever it was was coming in on a strange tangent(from the Rim?) and completely unexpected, at that. On a thought, she flipped her 'Fury to bring the point into full view, as deep within, a bright dimensional flash heralded the arrival. Whatever it was, it was BIG...
Seconds later, the capital ship sprang into normal space, and Jennie's eyes widened. A Omega...more specifically...Sheridan's Omega, the AGAMEMNON! He was supposed to be out on the Rim...but admittedly, Nighthawk WAS the closest Alliance colony to the Rim, but so new, the Omegas generally bypassed and continued on to the inner worlds. Whatever, she mused, taking up station above and behind the swiftly rotating habitat section, I'm going to keep my mouth shut...God, they're beautiful ships, even if necessarily deadly.
"Nighthawk Recon to EAS AGAMEMNON. What is your status, over?"
"Recon, this is AGAMEMNON." Holies, Jennie thought, I'm actually talking to *Sheridan* ! "We're carrying the single survivor from the ATLANTA disaster in-system. We would appreciate it if you could boost on ahead and clear the way for us. AGAMEMNON Alpha Squadron can provide extra muscle for you on the way in, as required."
"Roger, sir, as I'm sure you understand, EarthForce presence in this system, is, well, to put it mildly, light at present. And there's plenty of commercial traffic close to the jump gate right now. We accept your offer, sir, with gratitude."
"I thought you might. AGAMEMNON out." Jennie gritted her teeth as she set her 'Fury to maximum boost to join the squadron already pouring out of the AGGIE's fighter bays, this is surely liable to raise a few eyebrows insystem...
* * *
Face stony, Lieuteant Commander Nicholas Viga approached the door that lead to the office of his CO, thoughts boiling through his mind. It was far from clear whether or not Westcastle would survive...it was amazing enough that he hadn't lost any limbs or organs from radiation damage before the rescue attempt! In any case, the Captain had ordered thrice daily reports on his condition during the AGAMEMNON's run in from the Rim, and Viga was not about to shirk from that duty, however bad the news might be. With that firmly in mind, he keyed the signal for entry. "Sir?"
The door opened. "Come in, Commander...take a seat. How is our patient doing?"
Viga sighed. "No better, but at least no worse during the last few hours. Doctor Mahartje seems to think that he will survive, but of course the reason we made this run in to Nighthawk in two jumps was to ensure that fact. Whether or not he will emerge from the coma is another matter entirely."
"Yes...and yet, it's curious, Commander, that EarthDome is so insistent on this matter. You would think that it would enough that Lt. Commander Westcastle survived the rest of his crew. And yet, we were able to find nothing out about whatever tore the ATLANTA in half, except that is was a powerful energy weapon."
"There are plenty of races out there that fit that bill, sir."
"Too many...but without proof, we cannot, of course, accuse anyone or even delve into the matter too deeply."
"Understood, sir. If I may inquire, what are we to do once we have seen Lieutenant Commander Westcastle safely to intensive care at Nighthawk Central?"
"General Lea has ordered the AGAMEMNON to remain in NightHawk orbit until the Lieutenant Commander has recovered sufficiently to be transported to Earth system. We are then to hand him over to Psi Corps officials at Mars."
"*Psi Corps*, sir?"
Captain Sheridan nodded, his face becoming as set and grim as Viga's. "Precisely. And that, Nicholas, is something I don't think I like. At all."
RIMSTALKER: SHADE AND SHADOW, PART TWO
"OMEGA NAUGHT", ACT II
** "And do you think that Sheridan can be trusted to keep his mouth shut on this? The attack on the ATLANTA was a mistake, but it would be a greater mistake to change any of our plans at this stage. No, I believe it is time to take care of Mr. Westcastle in a more...direct fashion then was originally planned..." **
: Remarks attributed to Alfred Bester in mid Oct 2258
* * *
Oct 17, 2258...2000 Earth Standard Time...
"Gold channel message coming in, sir."
"As expected, Mr. Rathley. I'll take it."
"Yes, sir."
"...Captain Sheridan."
"General Lea, I've been expecting your call...."
"Captain, the situation has changed. Psi Corps has decided that the wait for Lt. Commander. Westcastle to recover enough is too extreme, and we agree. Two of their more senior telepaths boarded the CLARKSTOWN slightly more then a hour ago, and they are expected at Nighthawk within the day. As such, the presence of the AGAMEMNON at Nighthawk is no longer required."
"But..."
"No buts, Captain. I will assume that your crew is all on board, or will be on board shortly. Once that is the case, the AGAMEMNON is to jump within the hour, and resume her previous exploration and protectorate duties. Is this clear, Captain?"
"Yes, sir. Very. AGAMEMNON out."
* * *
2214 Earth Standard Time...
"They jumped!" Jennie exclaimed, as she emerged from the refresher unit. "Without hardly any warning. They scooped up all their 'Furies, turned to vector, and jumped! I don't get it!...weren't they supposed to take that critical condition patient to Earth as soon as he was healthy enough to make the journey?"
"Think about what you're saying, Jen..." Lieutenant Commander Walther Gideon, the CO of Nighthawk Station, replied with a smile, his finger wagging. "A single survivor of what was admittedly a serious accident tying up the resources of a whole Omega Class Destroyer. That's not what I'd call a judicious use of resources."
Eyebrow raised, Jennie threw herself into a chair, taking a quick glance as she did at the activity around the jump gate...quiet, thank God, for the time being. "I *suppose* you're right...impressions are usually wrong in this outfit, and of course, how can we predict what the Powers that Be are going to do? We're just the little cogs in the wheel...oh, and before I forget, now the Psi Corps commandeers a whole Roosevelt Class Cruiser to get out here to 'interview' one man...is that any bettter?"
Gideon laughed. "You take everything far too seriously, Lieutenant. However, a bit of a break from routine is in order, and I am hearby detailing you to get your butt down to Central and bring the Lieutenant Commander up to date on his situation, as well as beginning the process that the Psi Corps detachment will continue with once they arrive. Dr. Quesotz has just informed me that he has emerged from his coma, therefore, it's time you got going. The information provided by the AGAMEMNON investigation team will be waiting for you in your dayfile."
"Well.." came the sarcastic mutter from the hallway outside as Jennie departed, "You mean I actually get to *meet* Mr. Mystery Survivor? What an honor..."
Gideon laughed again, and returned to his work.
* * *
Chronicles Log, Second Entry...October 18, 2258.
One of my first sights after returning to the waking world was of a dark gray moon, against a nebula-curled sky full of stars in the skylight above my bed.
Evidentally, I had Captain Sheridan and his crew to thank for in getting me to wherever I had ended up after my collapse. The fact that I was seeing these sights indicated that their work on me had been a success. Whether this was going to be a blessing or a curse I did not yet know.
I groaned(helpfully, of course), and a serious looking young woman in medical grays immediately entered my field of vision. It seemed that someone has been anticipating my return to consciousness. No great surprises there, of course.
"Lieutenant Commander...welcome back to the waking world. How do you feel?"
"..Banged up. Headache. Better then I was."
"Very good, considering that whatever attacked you out on the Rim was utilizing extremely high energy weapons. The radiation sweep alone almost killed you, but you also recieved serious nternal head injuries, as well. It's a miracle you stayed conscious long enough to talk to that AGAMEMNON patrol. They wouldn't have found you otherwise... your ship had drifted a great distance from the hyperspace beacon track."
"I figured as much...?"
"Dr. Mariallah Quesotz, Nighthawk Center."
Nighthawk? "That's over a hundred light years from where we were....forgive me, Doctor, but how long have I been..."
"Four days, three hours, since you were intercepted by Captain Sheridan and his crew. They arrived here two days ago, with you in serious condition, but the Captain's staff did a commendable job in keeping you stable, considering you were in a coma the whole way in."
I'm lucky to be alive, by the sound of it...
"Uh...yeah. Is the AGAMEMNON still in orbit, by any chance? I'd like a chance to thank Captain Sheridan in person, if possible."
"I'm afraid not, Lieutenant Commander. The AGAMEMNON was ordered out of orbit late last night."
Great. "OK, so what happens now? Since I'm the only survivor of my crew, it's obvious that Earth Force Special Investigations is going to want to talk to me, I know that much. Do I get to go back home? And if so, how soon? How complicated is this going to be?"
The doctor's smile vanished, and she sighed. "It's..not quite that simple, I'm afraid, and I'm not qualified to discuss such matters with you, in any case. However, a young Earthforce officer from Nighthawk Station is waiting outside to discuss your situation with you, " I nod, and Dr. Quesotz walks out. As I lever myself up to my elbows, another young (this was the Frontier, after all) auburn haired woman in EarthForce blues entered the Ward.
And that’s how I met Jennifer Clifford for the first time. Ironic, isn't it, how things start, and where they end up. However, at the time, all I saw was a serious, probably quite dedicated officer who was going to brief me on...what?
"Good evening, sir. My name is Lieutenant Clifford, Nighthawk Station, and I have some information to fill you in on, now that you've returned to us safe and sound. Do you mind if I take a seat?"
"No, no...not at all."
"Thank you, sir." There was a brief pause while the young Lieutenant gathered her thoughts. "There are a considerable number of things that you should know, sir, and I will try to be as brief, and concise as possible during this trying time.
One: Captain Sheridan passed onto us a report confirming that you were the only survivor of whatever attacked the ATLANTA. A bit of a miracle, actually, when you look at it properly.
Two: The attackers were not recorded in any fashion, on any instrument. Before we go on, what do you remember of the attack? If anything?"
I grunt. "Blackness. A scream...might've been one of the bridge crew, but I'm not really sure. A purple flash...an explosion that flung me to the deck..then nothing until I awoke some time before the AGAMEMNON rescued me."
"I see. So, no clear recollection of who attacked you, what race, what class of vessel. Fair enough, if there's anything more to find, I'm sure we'll be able to draw it out of you in due course.
Three: The AGAMEMNON was unable to recover much of the ATLANTA for study because of your vessel's great distance from the beacon. They nearly lost their lock as it was. We must assume at this point that any further research on the wreck will not be possible...."
Okay, enough is enough.
"Um...Lieutenant...could you get to the point, please?"
She looks so shocked. Just out of the Academy? "Sorry, sir. This is meant to be a preliminary interview prior to the arrival of the Psi Corps team..."
Wait a minute. "Psi Corps?"
She looks uncomfortable...she has a right to be. "Yes, sir, they should be here any time now..."
Wonderful...just, wonderful. First I get my brains turned inside out by some ticked off aliens, and now my own race is going to do the same...
It was my thought that his situation couldn't possibly get any worse, of course. Little did I know...
* * *
"Jump Gate online...it's the CLARKSTOWN, sir."
Gideon nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Hail them for me, please."
"They're already...doing that, sir."
Gideon sighed. "Pipe it through to my station, then." He looked down, and jumped as the image of a short, serious man in Psi Corps black appeared; so, they did send the Psi Cops...this must be serious. "Good Day, sir...Lieutenant Commander W.."
"I know who you are, Commander, and I am less then interested as a result. My name is Mr. Bester, and I strongly suggest you aid me in every possible way during the course of this investigation. It will be in everyone's mutual interest to have this go smoothly, and I'm sure Lt. Commander Westcastle will agree with me as well. Are we clear on this?"
Gideon winced. "Very clear...Mr. Bester. Stand by."
* * *
**Interlude**...
"Why did you do this? If we are not careful, this could upset everyone's plans!"
"You exaggerate. The ATLANTA was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would have been inappropriate for anyone to observe the actions of my associates in that place and that time. You *do* want *your* own plans to succeed, do you not?"
A pause. "Yes." Bitterly.
"Very well, then. If you want the power, then there *must* be compromises."
"The survivor will make this very difficult to accomplish."
"My associates are dealing with *that* problem as we speak. I assure you..after today, Lieutenant Commander William Westcastle will *not* be an impediment."
"For all our sakes, *pray* that you right!"
* * *
The AGAMEMNON rushed towards the Rim. Hands behind his back, Captain John Sheridan paced along the wall of his office, deep in thought. What contacts he did have indicated that something was up, things were moving deep within compartments unthought of and untouched for some time now. The conspiracy was afoot...but what would be the result? Psi Cops converging on Nighthawk station. The AGAMEMNON summarily ordered away from the system. The whole thing *stank* of secrecy. But what could he do about it?
The decision was made. Sheridan hit his link. "Mr Rathley."
"Sir?"
"Get me Gold Channel access..at once."
"Yes, sir!"
Sheridan sat down. It was time to have another talk with General Hague...
RIMSTALKER: SHADE AND SHADOW, PART 2
"OMEGA NAUGHT", ACT III
** "What did I see in him at first? You have to be kidding. At first, I didn't consider that as a possibility. The sole survivor of a disaster later swamped by other disasters, a disaster kept so hush hush that nobody in Earth system seemed to know it had happened, everyone in the command structure at EarthDome zipped their lips about it OR had their lips zipped for them, and Psi Cops running all over the place trying to clean up after...who? We found out later *who*...and the answer we got was far from the one we wanted...or desired...and ended up almost being the greatest nightmare of our existence.
At least up to that point."
: Captain Jennie Clifford(ret), "Storm Crossing: The Shadow War, and other Responsibilities." C. 2281
* * *
Oct 18, 2258...EAS CLARKSTOWN, executive quarters...1140 E.S.T
Alfred Bester gazed solemnly down on the desolate mudball that was Nighthawk, and as always, considered the future, and the Plan. It had been made clear by those higher up in the Corps that the Plan would have to continue in its present course if anything was to survive. He had long since come to accept this as due fact, indeed, it was his belief that certain parties, regardless of their beliefs, would not have as great an influence on future events as they lead themselves to believe.
That, of course, was merely personal opinion for now. There were many elements yet to be played in the Game...and one of those elements stood nearly ready for interrogation on the planet below. Lieutenant Commander William Westcastle, martyr, pariah, and only survivor of an event that thankfully had yet to become common knowledge outside of a small, select group. Bester considered that controlling that information would be a serious challenge, but a challenge was good for you... kept your mind stimulated. Deep in thought, Bester ticked off the most important points under consideration.
One: Sheridan and his crew. Elements within Earth Force command were already working to supress the spread of any useful information from that source. It was clear from the testimonies of the AGAMEMNON crew that they had no idea what had destroyed the ATLANTA. High energy weaponry, it *seemed*, but that could always be proven as debatable. Something serious, true, but more guesses and rumours then facts. Sheridan, now...he was a wild card. Bester had long suspected there was a problem waiting to be born there, but that would have to wait for the time being.
Two: The crew of Nighthawk Station. Even less facts, and more rumours, a relatively easy task, there was, after all, only a short distance in thinking between "disaster" "attack"...and, "accident". The final report would show that as the cause, naturally.
Three: Earth Force Command staff personnel. Not really his concern, of course, others would take care of that problem. But Bester had long since seen it was necessary to have all the facts in careful, complete, order at ALL times.
Four: The most important of the elements, Westcastle himself. The "interview" would have to be conducted carefully and thoroughly..and it was possible, Bester concluded, that some minor alterations to the young man's personality might have to be in order. But that was neither here nor there...and there seemed to be other forces at play, as well. An interesting proposition, in any case...
Abruptly, he snapped back to the here and now. The Executive Officer of the CLARKSTOWN was approaching the telepath quarters. What he was about to discourse upon(so *much* time was wasted actually speaking, all the time, to mundanes) was all too clear at the top of his mind, but it was always best to be polite in such circumstances...
<Looks like the mundanes have finally agreed to our visit> Salient wryly commented from her quarters nearby.
<Apparently so.> Bester smiled.
One never knew when one would need an extra piece to be played.
* * *
1207 E.S.T...on the Rim...
"It's far from clear whether or not I can do anything about this situation, Captain, and it is not within my mandate to reveal most of what is going on. It is enough for you to know that your report, as well as the the reports from your crewmembers, will be used to determine the final report of loss."
"Damnit, that's *not* enough, General! They're treating Westcastle like some sort of outcast, like it was his fault that he survived! Is that fair?"
"No...it isn't. You have to remember that while I possess a great deal of authority, I am only one man, and hold one vote. The concurrent decision reached by Earth Force Command was for Earth Force Intelligence and the Psi Corps to take care of this situation. I can't change that decision, however much I would have liked to."
"I understand, that, sir. There *is* something we can do, however. It's risky...but from the little I saw of the way Westcastle thinks, it *just* might work..."
* * *
1530 E.S.T..
"Lieuteant Clifford..!" Dr. Quesotz exclaimed, as she tapped rapidly on the medpad, "This is far from standard procedure! And, in any case..."
Jennie gritted her teeth...you don't say... "I understand that, Mariallah, but the Lt. Commander’s not in the best frame of mind about the Psi Corps, right now! Isn't there any way we can provide him some sort of assurances that he won't be harmed? Who knows what those Psi Cops are here for?"
"Unnecessary." a voice spoke from the doorway, and Jennie whirled, her fears come true. Two Psi Cops stood in the doorway, a short, dark haired man, undoubtedly the Mr. Bester that Walther had warned her about, and a taller, red haired woman. "We are more then happy to provide you with those assurances, Lieutenant. My task here, and Ms. Salient's, is not to harm Lieutenant Commander Westcastle in any way, but instead to determine whether or not the accident that destroyed the EAS ATLANTA *was* an accident, or the beginnings of what could possibly be a serious threat to Alliance security. The Commander's partial amnesia does not make this job any easier, and so, here we are..."
"Which is what I was trying to tell you, Lieutenant..." Dr. Quesotz put in resignedly, "But you didn't really give me a chance to, now did you?"
"Remember..." Mr. Bester chided, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "It's in our job description to be the best at what we do. We're not always hunting down rogues; that tends...to get a little boring sometimes."
Boring...you don't say. But why should we believe anything you say? "I.. understand, sir. If you don't mind, would it be too much trouble for me to be in Commander Westcastle's room when you interview him? I have, shall we say, come to sympathise with his situation..."
And he's cute, too...even under all those bruises...
The smile lines on Mr. Bester's face tightened a little more. Oh hell, you bastard, I bet you picked up on that, didn't you? Mental reminder, Jennie, be a little bit more careful in the future about thinking those kind of thoughts around telepaths...
"I think that can be arranged, Lieutenant, we can all sympathise with certain things. Ms. Salient will serve to protect you from any backlash we may get during the discussion. Shall we proceed?"
* * *
Chronicles Log, Third Entry...Oct 18, 2258...evening.
Slightly more then an hour ago, Mr Bester and his companion, Ms. Salient, finished what they came here to do. I'm not entirely sure what the point was. Re-asking some of the questions that Lt. Clifford asked earlier, expanding on some points, ignoring others, checking on things, he said. All the while, assuring me that ‘Surface Scans’ were all that was required for the purposes of the Special Investigation.
I don't believe it. I don't believe *them*. My memories of the disaster aren't any better then they were before, if anything, things have gotten worse since I returned from the edge. My life before almost seems like a dream...I can hear Captain Frye and Commander Cochere discussing the mission at hand, but I can't see their faces anymore.
What this is a result of, I'm not sure. Mr. Bester seemed overly interested in the instant everything went to Hell, but also told me the brain damage I suffered during the incident would make certain things difficult to remember. When it comes down to it, I'm not even sure anymore whether or not what happened really *did* happen.
And before I forget...my earlier comments about going mad when I was on the bridge of the ATLANTA, at the end...weren't just fantasies of a delirious mind, although I look back on those comments and just can't be sure what I was thinking about at the time. My recent memories continue to be full of holes...as I've indicated above, things may have only gotten worse. But overlain on those memories is a miasma of images that doesn't belong...I can swear I've never been to these places, seen these things. It's not nearly as overwhelming as is was...but yet...the memories remain, raising their banners in the tatters of my mind.
I can't leave this alone..not yet, at least. It means something..but what? And why?
(Ten minutes later)
It seems that my hospital stay is drawing to a close. Lt. Clifford just returned to see me, in the company of Dr. Quesotz. The Doctor seems to think I'll be up and about starting in about forty-eight hours, and I tend to agree with her on that, both the pain and the weakness are starting to recede. Lt. Clifford managed to look both worried and relieved at the same time...by the look of it, that's nothing new, for her. The Lieutenant did give me two messages to read, by the look of it, orders from higher up...
Can't say I mind, if the investigation was that simple, someone has to have made up their minds about taking me out of this limbo they've stuck me in. I key the first file to open...
Well...I'll be damned...
* * *
Out in the darkness beyond the inner worlds, out beyond the mining traffic shuttling between Nighthawk Colony and its jump gate, a vast muddy sphere of gas swung through the darkness. The men who had discovered Nighthawk and its wealth over thirty years before had been given cause, through an accident of fate and trickery, to name it Loki...
Loki was a more or less standard gas giant when it came down to it, a ball of hydrogen and ammonia banded with great storms and planet sized hurricanes, and ringed by multiple, tiny iceball moons. But now, on on this day, in this Age, the name that Mankind had given the world would soon become all too appropriate.
On Loki VII, something was stirring...
RIMSTALKER: SHADE AND SHADOW, PART 2
"OMEGA NAUGHT", ACT IV
** ..one of the most interesting ideas I'd had up to that point, of course, was to involve Westcastle in the network even before plans became concrete at higher levels. It would have to wait until I reached Babylon 5 in January for that to happen. The result we received was completely unexpected, once the pivotal events of December came to pass..**
- Emile Gauthier: "John Sheridan: The Man, the Myth"
* * *
Chronicles Log, Entry IV, Oct 26th, 2258...
Eight days now, I've had to get used to it, and I'm still not. Reading those two messages gave me both reason to despair (even on top of nearly being killed by whatever it was) and reason to be interested in the most interesting propostion of my career to date. I key up first one message, and then the other, and read them again. I still can't believe it...it will more then likely take a little while to sink in. On the surface, the orders sound like good ones...but I was *meant* to be on a starship, was this 'delay' in reassignment really necessary? And on medical grounds, at that. I couldn't understand it at all...at first, it felt like banishment. But then, after several rereads, my thoughts on the situation have changed.
1) INVESTIGATION EAS ATLANTA DISASTER COMMUNIQUE /31 CONCLUDES LCMD WESTCASTLE, W PLAYED NO PART IN DISASTER OCCURENCE. EVIDENT CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND CONTROL OF ATLANTA 2OPO RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF EAS ATLANTA IN SECTOR 900, 14/10/58. PSICORPS INVESTIGATION UNIT CONCUR ON THIS FINDING, LCMD WESTCASTLE NOT AT FAULT IN DISASTER, EVENT WILL NOT BE HELD AGAINST LCMD WESTCASTLE'S PROMOTION AND STANDARDS RECORD.
2) LCMD WESTCASTLE, W REASSIGNED TO NIGHTHAWK EARTHFORCE DETACHMENT, EFFEC 19/10/58, IN POST OF OPO, TO REPLACE LT. HAWKDAL, CURRENT OPO, EFFEC THIS DATE. LCMD WESTCASTLE W TO ASSIST LCMD GIDEON, W, CO IN ALL DAY TO DAY FUNCTIONS OF NIGHTHAWK STATION.
3) LCMD WESTCASTLE'S ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY EA AWARDS AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE. ANY AWARDS OR MEDALS TO BE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF LCMD WESTCASTLE'S ACTIONS TO BE DETERMINED.
3) THIS POST TO BE TEMPORARY, REASSIGNMENT TO OMEGA CLASS FLEET UNIT TO BE CONSIDERED NO EARLIER THEN 19/4/59. REASSIGNMENT DEPENDENT UPON MEDICAL APPROVAL OF PERTINENT EARTHFORCE MEDICAL STAFF.
The other message was no less astonishing, and without saying it outright, the man who commands the starship and crew responsible for saving my life has reminded me of things I already know. Whatever happened out there, neither Psi Corps nor EarthDome is liable to forget it anytime soon, and it's always best to have friends when others will least
expect them. In ways we never expect, personal messages can still pass between those that matter, if you don't make too much of a racket. That way, the Powers that Be lose interest eventually in what you're up to, and that usually makes all the difference in the world...
You just have to love technology. What looked at first to be merely a message from Captain Sheridan sending his congratulations on my more or less full recovery quickly turned into something else entirely. Once I'd keyed in the acceptance utilizing my personal code, of course.
DESTINATION: LCMD Westcastle, W, EF NIGHTHAWK DETACHMENT, EYES ONLY.
MESSAGE FOLLOWS:
After we pulled you out of the wreckage of the Atlanta's bridge, neither I nor my crew were sure you would make it. The fact that Earth Force let me divert the AGAMEMNON to Nighthawk out of our exploration and patrol pattern was probably what saved your life. I don't expect this to work as a favour thing, sooner or later, that sort of thinking always catches up to you. It's enough that someone survived whatever happened out there, and that someone happened to be you.
I'm going to bring up something now that may surprise you, or, I could be totally wrong, and I'd like to be, but maybe you've been expecting this. I, and others, have been watching the Alliance for a long time, and there are all sorts of secrets out there. Secrets can aid you, but they can just as easily kill you, you can never forget that. The ATLANTA and all its crew ran into a secret out there on the Rim, and Psi Corps proved that by their interest in you. Move carefully, and slowly, and sometimes, you can see a pattern begin to emerge.
I can put this plainly. There's been a 'pipeline' of sorts developing in the Alliance just lately...small for now, but you never do know, it might end up growing large enough to be useful. For the longest time, people have passed information through the bureaucratic cracks, and things get done. What I'm offering you is a chance to join this 'society'..a group with elements everywhere, from the top to the bottom and out the back door. Maybe we can work together and figure out why the ATLANTA died the way it did...and also what forces were working to let you survive, if it wasn't just fate.
Now this is fairly important, the password at the start of this message is the key. "Omega Naught"...go through the right channels with that password, and there's no reason you won't be able to get into the network with whatever information you've got. The others, and I, look forward to hearing from you soon.
This sort of thing has been coming for some time now, it was just a matter of time. People begin to notice things when things look wrong, and this was the worst example I'd ever seen. A trillion credit dreadnought is destroyed on the Rim, and what does ISN call it? 'A serious accident.'
Someone is lying, OR everyone is lying, and I don't know which is the correct answer just yet. It feels like time is running out, and the more complicated conspiracies get, the more likely it is that sooner or later something's going to break down. For the time being, at least, I'm content to remain out here at Nighthawk, watching, gathering information, settling down, and giving myself time to heal properly. You never do know what will happen this close to the Rim...
Next: SHADE AND SHADOW continues in Part 3, "Descent of Demons". The stirrings out at Loki begin to attract attention, some benign, some murderous. Westcastle and Jennie decide to investigate...