**"It was a miracle I survived, I suppose; a miracle of epic proportions. But in hindsight, that week in August 2261 was where it all began to fall apart, the moment we looked into President Clark's eyes, as he sat there on the screen, declaring that what he had begun would last a thousand years...but how many times in our history have we heard that one? Precisely; he may have been saying the words, but we could look into his eyes, and they told all the story we needed to hear.
He was *afraid*, you see; this was something that had been coming for a long time, but finally, everyone who looked could see it; Morgan Eugene Clark was afraid; his pillar of strength shown, instead, to be a house of cards. And while the game as played would have one more dramatic twist in it, eventually, that fear would drive him to do the undoable.
And Sheridan was responsible for it all, and more; more then we will ever know, more then we can ever thank him for, he and all who followed him. For everything they did for him, in his name, in the name of Earth, I am grateful; we are grateful. Say what you will, now you know some of what I believe..."**
- ISN Chief Anchor Sara Dejarlais, as quoted, privately, in the middle of the Earth Year 2262
* * *
**We'll take back Earth...or die trying."**
- Captain John Sheridan, during his last day on Babylon 5 before beginning the run to Earth, September 2261
* * *
"This was where it began for us, around the same time that John attacked the destroyers blockading Proxima III. When he declared War, we were listening. As his forces gathered, so too, did mine...called back from a dozen covert operations. Finally, it was *our* time, as well, and we used it well."
* * *
The Earth Alliance Outer Rim, near Flinn Colony. September 1st, 2261.
Close to the warmth of Flinn Colony, two Earthforce destroyers, the EUROPA and the PERSEPHONE, hung in orbit, their captains nervous and jumpy, and they had every right to feel just that way. Things seemed to be spiralling out of control, so quickly, now...the captains of the HERACLES and the POLLUX had ensured that, when they had attacked those civilian transports off Proxima III, the month before.
And rumours ran rampant; that the man some said could not be beaten, the determined, almost righteous commander of what had once been called mankind's last, best hope for peace, had declared war on Earth for what they had done. That a mythical fleet of ships had answered Sheridan's call to war...that a shoal of rebel destroyers and escorts, ships that hadn't been seen in almost a year, ships that had conducted, singly and in pairs, hit and run raids in a dozen places, over the last six months...were also gathering at Sheridan's call.
It was, in every respect, the end of all they knew; and below, the colonists felt that, and began to respond. Tempers grew hot, hopes even hotter, and the spark put to the kindling did not take long to ignite. Above, the two captains watched the flame of rebellion grow into an inferno, and debated what should be done. Answer the call of duty, or the call of their hearts?
What was the right thing to do? They would both have to make up their minds about that question, and soon.
And then...then, it seemed that the answer they had been waiting for had come to them.
A disturbance, one executive officer called, his eyes wide, frightened and knowing. A disturbance; was...
Someone coming? But no, for now, it seemed that was not the case. Rumours...phantoms, that was all they were seeing.
But sooner or later, the captains decided, the phantoms would resolve into a far more deadly reality. And when that happened, they would do their jobs...to protect Flinn Colony from all comers.
These were the words, and the intentions. But when faced with the realities of war, what would their decisions be? Time would, *indeed*, tell.
* * *
"You know what do do."
* * *
Chronicles Log, Introspective. September 2nd, 2261.
We tried to hide, we used excuses to forget...but eventually, every action, every motion, leads you back to the path you tried to walk away from in the first place. Over a year ago, we ran away from Earth, and used excuses to justify what we did; the Shadows.. the war...destinies, prophecies, hidden devils, fallen angels. But you can only run so far, before the legacy of what was done catches up to you.
That time has now arrived.
Almost a month has passed since Captain Sheridan called us back to Babylon 5, into a meeting where Jennie and I learned what it was that the Captain planned. A month in which the far flung members of the White Star Fleet have been recalled, and reformed. A month in which a bold plan has been created, and a dramatic one, too; a mission that the Sheridan of a year ago would not have considered; but that John Sheridan, the man who rescued me from the wreck of the ATLANTA, so long ago, is gone now, burnt up in the fires of Z'ha'dum. In his place is a different Sheridan; a more certain, implacable man.
And once again, I find myself drawn into his web, but this is not a trap, as such; I have come to accept what I am, and what I do; and even if Bester was telling the truth, on Mars, I'm not so sure that it matters anymore. Because as long as the job remains, what I am is all that matters. Servant. Warrior. Ranger. Rider on the Storm that is. Guardian of a love I treasure more then anything else in the universe.
And, lastly, focus for a loyalty beyond words. This is what I am; brooding will not change matters, even though the secret must be kept, for now. This is who we are.
Let us embrace it.
* * *
"I'm hiding something; something remarkable, something terrifying. And sooner or later, the secret's going to come out, isn't it?"
* * *
Tuzanor, Minbar.
A single step brought her back to this place; the place she had visited, so many times before. The place that had helped to give her former mistress the focus she needed, so long ago. Cool the air was, but the sun was bright, above, and with barely a thought, she knelt on the clean stone, and assumed her familiar position of meditation. For almost a month now, she had waited with Tashann and the rest; waited while their Entil'zha had resolved all of the issues that had surrounded the climactic end of the civil war between the castes.
And while they had waited, she had thought back on all that had brought her to this place, and how. Not yet at her fourteenth birthday, she now clearly appeared more like eighteen, or so! Those that knew her, understood the reasons for this; those that did not soon learnt. Touched by those now gone; watcher; writer, keeper of secrets. And what more awaited?
A step on the stones behind alerted her that someone had come; someone she knew. Rising, she turned, and smiled. "Larieken."
"Julia. Apologies for the disturbance, but there is some cause for concern. Now that she has dealt with more pressing matters, the Entil'zha...is *aware* of your presence here."
A cold wave passed through her at those words, and she gulped...quietly. "Would you care to explain those words?"
A slight, knowing smile touched the Minbari's lips. "The matter concerns, as well you know, an event you will tell no one about. Of a night you descended into the caves beneath Gajn'Darahl, and there I found you, after the tremor; standing in a cave, all alone, a barely lit candle your only source of illumination. The reason for your visit, you would not say; the reason for your coming here, is equally unclear to me."
"Come now, friend; both Shival and William gave me permission to serve Tashann on his White Star, for now; I am past learning as a novice; now, I must journey between the moments, searching for my purpose."
"That..." Larieken drolly replied, "Is one of the most evasive answers I have yet heard from one of your kind. You say much, Julia, and nothing at the same time. Something happened in that cave; something important."
"Perhaps."
"Ah! Perhaps, you say; and yet, the expression I saw on your face that night suggests otherwise. And as I said, Entil'zha Delenn is aware that you followed Tashann to this place to wait for her; aware that you descended into the caves, that night of nights...*and*, aware that something happened there.
As your friend, I will not inquire further; but be it tomorrow, be it a cycle from now, or ten, I assure you that she will not forget. And sooner or later, the Entil'zha will inquire of you the truth of this matter. And be sure of this; she will not accept evasiveness as an answer.
You may now consider yourself warned, Julia." Larieken stepped off the ledge, and quickly walked out of sight, leaving her alone. She shivered, and gazed up at the sun. For some reason, it didn't seem as warm, any more.
"Julia. There you are."
She looked up, and sighed. "Sir?"
"I'm not terribly surprised to find you here." Tashann continued, his smile knowing. "This was her place, and now yours, as well; it is just. However, the time is growing near for our Entil'zha's departure; I require your presence on White Star 11."
She nodded, and stepped in by his side, as together, they stepped off the ledge. "Of course." For now, duty called; but sooner or later, she was sure, Delenn and her would be having another one of those 'little' talks. Whether she would survive the experience or not, was the question...
* * *
White Star Five, just off the main Proxima Beacon...several hours later.
"Sir. White Star formation from Babylon 5 has just assumed position; members are 17, 20 and 41."
"And the command ship?"
"Command vessel is, as expected, White Star 4, sir. Message coming in."
"Ah!" Marcus began, as the serious face of White Star 4's commander scrolled down into the air in front of him. "About time you lot got here; William, things on Proxima seem to be taking a turn for a worse."
"You've heard from the resistance fighters on Proxima, I take it, then, Marcus?"
"Right; I just hope the Captain gets here soon; the way things are going down there, they're not going to be able to hold out much longer."
* * *
"Do you think we have enough ships here to do the job?" Jennie whispered in his ear, as the signal with Marcus's command was cut. "All those Earthforce destroyers...they may be slower then us, but together with their Thunderbolts, they could be dangerous... especially if most of them are loyal to Clark."
He nodded. "The Captain's hoping that at least a couple of those destroyers will be willing to stand down. From what we know of the attacks they made on the civilian vessels in the area, there seems to only be a couple of those six that are the loose cannons. Unfortunately, one of those may be the fleet commander."
"Wonderful."
"Sir!" Talion intervened with a frown, "There are three White Stars entering the fleet; one of them's, ah, White Star 3."
"I don't believe it!...Jennifer, he *knew* that I didn't want us both in this battle!"
Jennie nodded somberly, but then replied, "Remember, William, the Captain has authority over Vikotal as well as us. The Captain probably wants the best commanders he's got in this one, to make sure it all succeeds as planned...and Vikotal certainly qualifies."
"We shouldn't both be in this battle; if both our commands are hit, and we're both killed, then who will command the Fleet for the Captain?"
"You can ask him yourself." Jennie replied, her face troubled. "Message coming in...not that I expect him to change his mind just because you're asking him to."
"William." Vikotal rumbled, his face nonchalant, as it appeared before them. "It is good to see you commanding your White Star again; it has been too long."
"Vikotal; you must understand that I'm not terribly happy to see you here."
"And I can understand why, there is no need to explain your thoughts on the matter, William, I know of them already. But both our commands survived the Shadow War; in comparision, the fleet action planned here is far less risky. Additionally, what Captain Sheridan did for us can never be repaid, but this is a start!...yes, we will help him in this war, for until the others join us, both human and otherwise, we of the White Star Fleet, are all he has."
As much as he didn't want to like it, what Vikotal was saying made *sense*...but Minbari were good at arguing, on that score. "I see. Just keep yourself safe, Vikotal!... and if possible, farther away from the line of fire then us. If we get killed or incapacitated, someone has to carry on...and that someone will have to be you."
"No, William." Vikotal replied, his voice sure. "You need not fear; we are both veterans, as you humans say, of conflicts great and terrible. We will both survive this; and afterwards, we will talk of how foolish these fears of yours were."
"I pray that will be so, Vikotal; I pray that will be so, indeed."
* * *
"We did our jobs, so everyone else could do theirs."
* * *
Civilian settlement, outside Proxima Colony; the night of September 2nd-3rd, 2261.
For now, the bombardments and attacks had ended for the night...far to the south, the main front was quiet; and Owen Grainge decided to use that pause to good effect. If his mother and father had known what he was doing, they would probably try to 'ground' him for life, but that was that, and this was something else; he wasn't sure that he really cared anymore, anyways.
With careful, quiet steps, he closed the door of the settlement side entrance beside him, and stepped out onto the dark, dusty surface beyond. The air was both cold and thin; thin, yes, but thick enough to breathe. He huddled in his insulated coat, and gazed up to the stars. Rarely were there enough clouds overhead to hide them from his sight...and even in these times of siege, his hobby beckoned.
Neither Earth's sun nor Alpha Centauri could be seen right now...at this time of year, all three of those suns were close to Proxima in the sky. Above, the more distant stars twinkled, along with other things. The occasional twinkling light from the orbital installations (now mostly occupied by forces loyal to Clark, of course) while the six Earthforce destroyers blockading the colony had dropped below the Eastern horizon a short time before....and thus, were impossible to see.
"Owen!" he cringed, and turned, as the stern faced figure of his father appeared out of the door behind him. "Owen! How many *times* have I told you you cannot do this anymore? With the seige growing worse, it is difficult enough for us to survive without you wandering outside whenever you feel like it!"
"I don't care; no one's attacking us right now..why shouldn't..." Owen quite suddenly found himself coming involuntarily to a halt in mid reply, as a sudden flash of blue light appeared in the heavens above the western horizon. He could see that his father had also forgotten the matter for now...and as they both watched, the flash twisted open into a jump point; a smaller, more tightly focussed one then he had ever seen before!
"I'll be damned." his father whispered, his eyes wide. "I take back what I just said, son; your timing is, this time, quite phenomenal."
He grinned, as in the sky, the jump point quickly faded from sight. "That point was too *small* to be an Earthforce point, Dad! And more focused then anything even the destroyers can make! What do you think this means?"
Surprisingly, his father returned the grin. "We can only hope that help has finally arrived, Owen; I have heard rumour that the rebel forces under Captain Sheridan, and others, might have been coming here to help us. Maybe that was the earliest element. In *any* case, I suspect that things are about to get quite busy up there."
That point was easily proven, as above them, another flare betrayed activity; another jump point from beyond their sight; another set of arrivals.
* * *
Chronicles Log, Introspective (cot'd)
We were among the first to take the plunge. After the Captain's arrival, he and I conferred on the matter, conferred as we had done so often before. I had his respect, and he had mine, and as that was so, the way we went about the assault was a given, almost from the start. The Captain needed a decoy; something to split the destroyer force at Proxima III. They would all be clustered on one side of the planet...therefore, we needed to have a force of White Stars come out on the *far* side of the planet from the destroyers...and then, another larger force closer to the group...and finally, the Captain himself would come out of the jump gate, with the rest.
The request to stand down would, of course, be given, but neither the Captain nor I expected the hotter heads among the destroyer command, namely Captain Hall and Captain Morgenstern, to take that offer. There would, inevitably, be a firefight...how bad that firefight would get would depend on how many of the other captains would follow their lead.
But the plan seemed sound, and as such, when that first point opened in Proxima's skies, one of the White Stars that came out of it was mine. Beside me, I saw my dearest tense, and understood.
We were in this now, to the bitter end. How bitter that end would be, we would not find out, until the battle was over...
* * *
"The time had finally come, you see, to decide; what was more important to us, serving the government, and upholding the word of President Clark, our apparently rightful leader...or, instead, to follow our hearts, and do the *right* thing?"
* * *
EAS NIOBE. Enroute in hyperspace.
Things were tense on the bridge, as Bethany strode in, her gaze resolute. All the officers and staff who had followed her in this path, from the beginning; all the ones that counted, were here. Word had come to them, via the Rangers, that Captain Sheridan and the White Star Fleet had departed for Proxima III, some hours before. Sooner or later, they would come together...but for now, it was time to take on a target of their own; a theoretically safer target, farther from the line of fire. And so, she had brought her command back to the place where they had once found refuge; Flinn Colony. Minimally defended, or so it could be hoped...and an ideal place from which to begin what had to be done.
"You do realize, don't you," Alwhin reasonably commented from his station, as she took her seat, "That whatever we do here, Sheridan will take the spotlight at Proxima?"
"That's the idea, Commander." she shot back, a slight smile on her face. "Let the forces loyal to Clark focus on the fact that Sheridan will, by his nature, come to the focus of all they have done...and miss the fact that the other rebel force on the prowl can *also* take action, at the same time."
She had to admit, she was feeling pretty good about their chances, here. Stretching back behind her destroyer was the assembled mass of the fleet; including her own command, there were four Omega Class destroyers, seven heavy cruisers, and a dreadnought under her command, and sixteen Starfury and Thunderbolt squadrons. That force had been divided into several commands; eventually, those commands would go to work liberating the different colonies of Earth, but that time was not now. Her first priority, for now, was to liberate Flinn Colony; after that, several of her ships would go to Proxima, once John had *hypothetically* done his work there...and after that, the battle plan that she'd made with him would determine their next targets.
"What do you think we're going to find, out here?"
"There are a number of possibilities, Commander...but the clearest option is the one I most believe. President Clark has deployed between two and four ships at all the colonies he controls. Flinn Colony is nearer to the fringe then most...there's probably two capital ships on station."
"In any case..we're about to find out; sensors indicate we're coming up on the Flinn Colony jump gate..."
She sat straighter in her chair. "Very well, then; it's time we started this game. Open channel to all fleet commands."
There was a pause, then Alwhin nodded. "All commands respond, and stand ready to hear your words. Commodore."
She hit the comm toggle. "This is Commodore Tikopai; as you all know, and understand, the action we're about to take is one we can't back out of. Captain Sheridan has given us the guidance we need; even now, he and the Rangers of the White Star Fleet are assaulting the beseigers of Proxima III. It is my decision that we must follow his example, here, and now.
As such, NIOBE, APHRODITE, ALEXANDER and THESEUS will lead the jump, escorts to follow. We will establish jamming countermeasures prior to jump; we *don't* want word of this to get out until the time is right. Stand by to launch fighters as soon as we enter the system; if all goes well, we won't need them, but I'm not about to depend on that. The destroyers in-system are very likely hostile and loyal to the President; even against higher odds, they may choose to fight; we may have to respond in kind. That is all."
"That was to the point." Alwhin wryly noted, as around them, the bridge crew came to full alert.
"We have no other choice, Commander; it's either all, or nothing."
"Understood. As per your orders, jamming countermeasures are now in effect. The commands in Flinn System aren't going to be able to get word out about our assault...not until it's too late to do anything about it."
"As it should be." She rose to her feet, heart hammering. This was it. "Then, as I see it, Commander, there's no longer any point for delay. Activate jump engines..."
"Jump engines on line."
"Take us in!"
* * *
To be continued...
* * *
Next time: As the Rangers pass through the Battle of Proxima III, for good or ill, Bethany and her forces take on the destroyers 'defending' Flinn Colony. The conclusion to "The Long March" coming soon...
RIMSTALKER: THE RIDERS ON THE STORM; PART 15
"THE LONG MARCH" ACT II OF II
**"Many analysts have been bold enough to say how surprised they were by what Sheridan did, in those three fateful months. From being blockaded at Babylon 5, to taking out several carrier groups of destroyers at Proxima III, to being captured and then subsequently freed by Michael Garibaldi, and finally, to arrive at Earth followed by dozens of League ships, and almost thirty Earthforce destroyers...once again, the Captain seemed capable of doing the impossible.
I, on the other hand, cannot say that I was surprised; instead, there comes the inevitability of *acceptance* of what happened. Once again, it came down to who believed in what they were doing more, who was able to persuade members of the other side to stand down and even to join up with those their commanders called enemy."**
- From Amanda Zefram Teague's "A History of the Army of Light."
* * *
Hyperspace; the final hours of Sept 2nd, 2261.
The Bridge of White Star 77.
A field promotion, he had called it; something that had been coming for a while now, he had said. Brianna smiled bitterly, as she reclined in the commander's chair of what was, for now, *her* White Star. She shook her head, and sighed; out of the five of William's cadre, only Talion and Dreann did not now hold command status within the Rangers, and both of them were either second or third in command, under Tashann and William. It was apt, she supposed; in the time that remained to her in William's service, she would do all she could to help him, to serve him, in whatever capacity he wished.
The mission she now possessed was a clear and understandable one; while Captain Sheridan and William had taken a large percentage of the White Star Fleet to Proxima III, William had managed to persuade the Captain that it wouldn't be a good idea to take them all. There were other things happening at the same time that also deserved Ranger attention...and the fleet of Earthforce starships that followed Bethany Tikopai was the key to so much that might follow.
Both William and the Captain had been *sure* that Julia's mother would attempt to liberate another Alliance Colony around the same time as Proxima...and as such, her Sha'vei had placed six full triads of White Stars under her command, and sent her to find Captain Tikopai's fleet.
Finding them wouldn't be the hard part, at least; several hours before, one of the patrol White Stars in the Fleet had observed a large group of cruisers and destroyers running along the sight line to Flinn Colony; unfortunately, they had also observed another group of ships near the colony, waiting in hyperspace for something, *or* some signal; the question was, would she and her commands get there in time to prevent a firefight?
And if not that, then to ensure that the Captain wouldn't get her destroyer shot out from under her in some sort of trap?
"Val'na." A moment she paused, not understanding...and then, she turned in her seat to address Shivonn, her operations officer.
"Anla'shok Shivonn. What is the status of our quarry?"
"Our advance patrol near Flinn Colony has caught up to Captain Tikopai's fleet; they estimate that she is now no more then a hour from jumping into the system."
"So; at maximum speed, how long will it take us to catch up?"
Shivonn sighed. "Even at best speed, we will jump into the system more then ten minutes behind her command."
"Then let's get going...we don't have any time to lose!"
* * *
Flinn Colony; one hour later; the bridge of EAS EUROPA.
"What the hell's going on, Commander?" Captain Oriaz demanded, as he strode onto the bridge of the EUROPA, his face dark, and worried.
"We've got *multiple* ships jumping out into the system, sir..." Commander Vedrou replied, her expression neutral, but guarded. "Earthforce ships; four destroyers, and at least eight cruiser escorts."
"I see. And are they friendlies?"
"Our orders would say...no, sir! ID's are NIOBE, ALEXANDER, APHRODITE... hold; signal coming in from PERSEPHONE, sir; Captain Viras is on the line."
"This is Flinn Local Command to Captain Oriaz; Captain, you will put your squadrons into space and stand by to engage hostiles!"
Oh *really*? "With all due respect, Captain!" he replied, voice sharp, "We're only outnumbered by about six to one at the moment; exactly how do you propose we fight in such a situation, and survive?"
"Oh, let's just say that things aren't exactly as they appear, Captain." Viras replied.
"He's planning a trap, isn't he?" Vedrou inquired, her face dark with worry, as she leant down close to talk to him. "What he's doing...it's wrong, sir!; our orders, the orders we've been following for months now...they're wrong, as well! The President; he's out of control, and the more reactionary elements within Earthforce are taking advantage of that!"
Oriaz nodded, and sighed. "An apt assessment, Brittany; but Captain Viras has wanted to get back at Bethany Tikopai for a long time now. Ever since he was humiliated by her at Jupiter more then a year ago, as a matter of fact."
"What do we do, now, sir?"
"As he says, Commander; launch all squadrons, but do not, I say, do not engage Captain Tikopai's forces. Let's see what he does, first."
"Yes, sir!"
* * *
EAS PERSEPHONE.
"What the hell's he doing?" Captain Edward Viras snarled, his face a mask of frustation.
"It would seem obvious, sir, that the command crew of the EUROPA is uncomfortable with firing on Captain Tikopai's commands; as it stands, they are not, for now, advancing." his exec replied.
Viras snorted. "Sooner or later, she's going to have to; the only way Captain Tikopai is going to take this system from me is if she commits to a firefight. And when she does, well then, we've got a little surprise waiting for her, now don't we?"
Viras's exec nodded and smiled. "Yes, sir, that we do. But all I going to add, sir, is that I hope our reinforcements can get in on top of us as soon as possible; if we have to engage in a direct capital bombardment with her fleet, we're likely to take damage at what I would consider to be an uncomfortable rate."
"Don't you worry, Commander; it won't come to that...I won't let it! We guessed that she would bring her ships back to Flinn Colony; after all, this was where she ran to hide, the first time. I anticipated her cutting off comm access, as well; the others were watching for jump activity; they'll be here, soon enough.
"Yes sir; message coming in from the NIOBE."
* * *
"You're on."
Bethany nodded, and then came to her feet; this was it. "This is Captain Bethany Tikopai of the Earth Alliance Omega Class destroyer NIOBE to vessels surrounding Flinn Colony. We are here to demand that you stand down your commands and cease to follow the unconstitutional orders of President Clark. The civilian members of Flinn Colony have lived in fear of your bombardments and your soldiers for long enough. We are here to ensure that fear is laid aside; we are here to restore to them their liberties and their rights.
Let me assure you, Captain's Oriaz and Viras, that if you prove yourself to be hostile, we will engage your vessels to ensure our mission is carried out. Your choices are simple, and to the point; stand down...or we will remove you from contention."
"Message coming in, Captain."
"As expected." she muttered to herself, "From Edward."
"This is Captain Viras of the Earth Alliance destroyer PERSEPHONE to rebel fleet commander. Your demand is hearby rejected; Flinn Colony is a loyal member of the Earth Alliance, and my command is dedicated to ensuring that loyalty, at all costs."
"Dedicated...I see."
"Additionally...you should know, Captain Tikopai, that I've been waiting a long time for this; last time we met in battle, you took the first shot; now, it's my turn."
"Damn!" she swore, as the signal cut. "Status?"
Alwhin sighed. "PERSEPHONE is launching fighters...EUROPA has already done the same."
"Are they advancing?"
"Yes...hold; only PERSEPHONE's fighters are advancing."
She smiled, and nodded; this was what she had been hoping for; Roberto Oriaz had proved, by his actions, that he was probably a captain who had been waiting for an excuse to go against the wrongful orders descending from Clark's junta; *this* was that time. "Advance our fighters against PERSEPHONE's group; stand by to engage."
"Done and done." Suddenly, Deitrich Alwhin's face blanched. "Oh Hell! Captain, jump points opening behind the PERSEPHONE; we've got two.. three...five destroyers entering the system! The lead ship of the group is the PTOLEMY, Captain."
"Message coming in."
"As you can see, Captain," Edward Viras's pitying voice returned, "This is no longer quite such a one sided battle any longer; oh yes, you can *try* and take Flinn Colony from us, but we've been expecting you to try, for some time now. And as such, the commands that have been waiting to reinforce me are only the first. You cannot win this quite so easily as you thought; run if you wish, Captain; we will find you eventually, now that you've resurfaced; *or*, if you wish, you can also stand down your commands, and prepare to be boarded, by order of President Clark. The alternative, and all the deaths it suggests, are one I am sure you don't have the guts to take."
She narrowed her eyes at that remark. Viras always had been a bit of a bastard!
"Your orders, Captain?" Alwhin asked her; as always, regardless of what they would do next, he was ready to follow her.
"Get me Lieutenant Gage."
"Online."
"Lieutenant, stand by to move the squadrons into firing proximity; as long as the EUROPA remains stood down, ignore her; as for the rest, fire at will...but only when they take the first shot. If any ship, *any* fighter group remains stood down, you are to ignore them; is that clear?"
"Clear, Captain." the steady reply came from her fleet CAG.
"Status, Commander?"
"The destroyer group lead by PTOLEMY continues to advance. PERSEPHONE's fighters are in range...and firing!"
"Return fire!" she replied sharply, and even as the now-so-familiar flicker of fire began to cross the vacuum, another sound intruded onto her now combat-ready senses.
Jump warning. What the Hell??
"Someone's coming into the system..." Alwhin warned her. "A *lot* of someones, by the look of it."
She raised her eyebrows in inquiry; could it be?
* * *
Proxima III.
It was so much worse then it had to be...so much worse. If only all the Captains had been open to Captain Sheridan's suggestion, all that happened could have been avoided. But the Captain's of the HERACLES and the POLLUX had no intention of standing down, as we soon found out. The only thing, as usual, that protected was our sheer speed and maneuverability. The Starfuries, on the other hand, fared *far* worse.
And for a while, it looked like we would have to engage the VESTA as well; but after a time, Captain Sheridan's old friend regained the upper hand. Six destroyers became five, then four and finally three, as another stood down and the JUNO retreated from Proxima space. But the other three...the other three, we had to take out by force.
And one of our own was taken out in a way I wish I never lived to see.
* * *
Flinn Colony.
With a coruscating howl she felt through her bones...so familiar now, so welcome...Brianna rose from her chair as her command transitioned back into realspace. Below them, flickers of light passed through space, as a single destroyer command advanced on a far larger Earthforce group, with another group farther behind the Clark-loyal destroyer. Maybe they'd arrived in time.
"This is the White Star Fleet to Loyalist destroyers picketing Flinn Colony!" she declared. "The forces loyal to Captain Tikopai are under our protection; Break off your engagement, or be engaged in turn; lack of compliance will be met by *lethal* force. Retreat from this field of battle, and you will not be harmed."
* * *
EAS PTOLEMY.
"What the hell is this?" Captain Michael Dexter exclaimed, as he rose to his feet, observing with trepidation the arrival of almost twenty unknowns into the fight; tiny, but obviously *powerful* alien warships of unknown design. This 'White Star' fleet, what are they?"
"Intelligence suggests they're alien forces loyal to Sheridan, sir." his exec informed him. "More maneuverable then anything we've got, with at least three times the firepower of anything that size in our arsenal. The balance of power in-system just shifted again...sir."
"I can see that, Commander; and although we were given orders to engage Captain Tikopai's fleet if given the chance, with the arrival of these other forces, we'll probably get our asses shot off from under us, if we try. We can't afford that, not here, and not now. The Central worlds need us too much for that. Stand by to activate jump engines...and get me Viras!"
"PERSEPHONE on line, sir."
"Viras; as much as your plan was sound at the time, with the arrival of Tikopai's reinforcements, we have no other choice but to abandon Flinn Colony to the rebels. Earth needs us too much to waste our commands here."
"Like Hell, I will!" came Viras' angry retort. "Damn it, Dexter, if we don't stop her here, we won't get another chance!"
"We're going to lose him, sir; those White Star ships are almost in range, and PERSEPHONE is losing her fighter screen to superior odds."
Dexter gritted his teeth. "This is a direct order, Captain Viras; as fleet commander in this operation, you are to break off and jump!"
"He's broken off contact, Captain."
"Damn! And what of the EUROPA?"
"They do not respond, sir."
Dexter shook his head unbelievably; *two* destroyers lost in an instant; one thorugh a case of hate borne across the months since Viras and Tikopai had last met; the other...the other appeared to be a straight mutiny. "Time to cut our losses, Commander; activate jump engines, stand by to jump."
* * *
"The reinforcements have jumped, Val'na..." Shivonn informed her. "The Earth destroyer PERSEPHONE, however, continues to advance; she is nearly in range of the NIOBE."
"We can't allow Captain Tikopai's vessel to come to harm, Shivonn; Sha'vei Westcastle was *very* specific on that order." Brianna hit her comm toggle, voice ready and decisive. "This is Command to White Star tactical squadron; target that destroyer and disable her; I say again, disable, do not destroy.
Fire at *will*."
* * *
Proxima III.
Chronicles Log; Introspective.
He got too close; I warned him.
He didn't listen; and now, he's dead.
Dead for no reason at all; the final action of a life cut short for no reason. An accident measured by fate. A wrongly placed strike from one of the pulse cannons of the POLLUX sent White Star Three careening into their fighter bays; wrongly placed...in Valen's Name, Vikotal shouldn't have been where he was in the first place!
The subsequent explosion, of course, tore both ships apart, and a lot of people were killed. Killed through one Captain's unwillingness to bend to fate; to *accept* that what she was doing was wrong. That unwillingness killed her entire command...and ensured the death of someone I called friend.
I didn't stay to watch the POLLUX die; I couldn't. Jennifer reached out to me as I left the bridge, but stop, I didn't.
Another friend killed, another lost, a Ranger I valued...a Minbari I trusted.
And now, who is left to command both sides of our soul?
The answer is obvious; and not one I wish to examine too closely.
Once again, fate has drawn me beyond my place, into something I don't deserve.
* * *
Flinn Colony.
"My God." Commander Vedrou breathed out, as the EUROPA drew alongside the blackened, pockmarked hull of the PERSEPHONE. "I don't believe it; so *quickly*..."
Oriaz nodded bleakly. Even after being abandoned by those that had joined him in their planned 'trap' of Tikopai's forces...even after being faced by the inevitability of attack by these 'Ranger' forces loyal both to Sheridan and Tikopai...Viras had not stood his command down.
And this had been the result...the White Star Fleet vessels had moved in and engaged Viras's command harshly...and the PERSEPHONE had sustained crippling damage to most of her systems...drive, weapons, life support and even the centrifuge on their habitat section. Viras himself had been killed in one of the final strikes...his terrified first officer had subsequently capitulated.
By then, it had already been too late.
A short time later, all the survivors had been brought on board, and he brough his command in alongside the NIOBE and her followers, now surrounded by the tiny, all too deadly white and purple shapes of the Ranger forces. "Signal coming in, sir."
"Roberto." Bethany Tikopai began, her face solemn on the screen. "I'm sorry you had to see that; sorry that he wouldn't turn away, in the end. I'm also both surprised and gratified that Val'na Tolmanes and her forces showed up when they did; but we're doing all this to wash away what Viras represented. And it's looking like we're going to have to go all the way to Earth, to finish the job."
He nodded. "I understand, Captain; understand your motives, and the Rangers's as well...but I hope you'll understand it when I say I can't follow you to Earth. I'll guard Flinn Colony for you, along with any command you leave behind...but I don't think I can bear to see that again."
Tikopai nodded, her face grave. "I understand, Captain, all too well; and your offer is accepted, with gratitude. You should know we will be jumping within the hour, to meet up with Captain Sheridan's forces at Proxima III...but I'll leave the heavy cruisers AURIGA and INVINCIBLE behind to help you out...along with a White Star or two, that should be enough to keep Clark's forces wary."
"Thank you, Captain; I'd appreciate that. And I hope that both you and Captain Sheridan get what you want. I'm not sure what will happen to us if you fail; but all you can do, no, all *we* can do, I suppose...is try. Good luck to you, Captain."
"To us all, Captain. To us all."
* * *
Proxima III. Some time later.
"Vikotal's *dead*? Brianna exclaimed, her face showing her disbelief, as she and Jennifer strode away from the shuttle bay. "How did it happen?"
"In the final moments of the battle," Jennifer replied, her face solemn, "Vikotal and a group of White Stars went head to head with the POLLUX; his ship was hit, and spun out of control. The collision destroyed both his command and the POLLUX. William's taking this one pretty hard."
She nodded in understanding; another death; so many deaths already, this year; but *this*...this was a bad one. A Sha'vei of the Rangers, one of their most valuable leaders, dead in what amounted to a tragic mistake.
Brianna sighed; such were the fortunes of war. They would be yet more deaths in this war, before one side or the other came out on top. Either Captain Sheridan would succeed in his attempt, or President Clark would succeed in stamping out all rebellion to his rule. And either way it went, the Reaper would be walking in all their footsteps.
* * *
White Star Two.
It hadn't taken long for the fleet captains to decide who was next in line, and as such, while McRobert had stayed in hyperspace with the majority of her command, Bethany and Major Ryan had brought the NIOBE and ALEXANDER to Proxima III.
For it was time for a council of war.
"For now, John, it seems all our cards are on the table..." Bethany declared, as across from her, Sheridan reclined in his command chair, and nodded grimly. "We've taken Flinn Colony from them, and you, Proxima III. But we can't stop here...this is only the start of it."
"Absolutely. But ever since I saw your fleet at Babylon 5, earlier this year, I knew this day would come; and you're right, this can only be the start. From here, we've got a lot to do; the colonies at Vega, at Orion 7, and all the rest...and then, Earth."
"The end of the Line."
"The very end, indeed."
* * *
**"This is the Voice of the Resistance. In a update to our earlier broadcast, we can now report that a destroyer group loyal to Babylon 5 have, with the assistance of the White Star Fleet, liberated the colony at Flinn system from the forces of President Clark. As more information arrives on the campaign ahead, it will be reported to you.
I say again, Flinn Colony has been liberated."**
* * *
To be continued...
Next time: As the Long March to Earth continues towards its fateful end, Julia asks for permission to follow her Entil'zha into the final battle; but as a condition, Delenn demands to know what happened beneath Gajn'Darahl, the month before. Meanwhile, the rest of the Rangers and Earthforce members in the rebel fleet pass through their own private hells in the name of what they do..."Stolen Darkness, Hidden Pain" the 16th part of "The Riders on the Storm" coming soon...