Chapter 31: The Great Machine
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DarkDestroyer
The Destroyer Of Worlds
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G'Kar agrees to have his Narns act as Station Security replacing the multitude of security we lost to Nightwatch. It was some ridiculous number like 2 thirds of station security went over to the scumbags. Susan also offers him a conditional spot in the Army of Light, she mentions that I vouched for G'Kar to Captain Sheridan. She makes sure that he understands that. There are still Clark loyalists on the station. Not sure how many of them, not all of them were Nightwatch and exposed themselves. Meanwhile I've been busy attempting to use my contacts to figure out where Lise Hampton, and Lianna Bremmer are for Michael. So far not getting any response. Lise should still be on Mars, about to hook up with Old Man Edgars. I've been personally trying to find Lianna---but it could be she went dark or joined up with General Hauge's forces. JMS stated in one of his posts that she was not on Earth Force One when it exploded, but he felt she survived. My PPG is sitting on the desk, with a fresh charge and ready to be used if need be. Marcus has just begun teaching me how to engage multiple people at once. It has dawned on me that this is in fact "Batman Begins" shit---my body has been showing the damage of the training. I've reported to Stephen and Lillian multiple times now for treatment. The Regen Pack treatment for my foot has reached it's apex.
"We're going to have to do surgery. The good news is that we can go ahead with the cloning procedure. It will take a few months for the gestation process to happen. We'll schedule the surgery for near the end of next year---assuming we're all going to still be here---"
"We will be Doc."
I'm tempted to address his stim situation but I know that's a touchy subject for him, and it's just going to get me yelled at, and I'd much rather not have that happen. I hate being yelled at. He waves a dermal crystal wand over me and I feel instantly better.
"That just about does it for you now. I could tell you to be careful, but I'm starting to understand the extent of your---training has had on you."
"Thanks Stephen. I can take the pain, and the occasional dislocated shoulder...but I have to do this. In case I need to protect myself. That first day---kicking beaten like that---well---I don't want to experience that ever again."
Franklin nods.
"How are you doing for pain killers?" Don't bring up the stims. Don't bring up the stims.
"Fine I think. I've got the programming down for the pack. Fascinating little device. This would be...abused quite a bit back home." I Cringe inwardly hoping he doesn't pick up on the subtleness
"Yeah we have a lot of that here too...all right. I think that's it. You're discharged. I'll see you again soon." he jokes
"I hope not too soon."
My link goes off as I hop off the bed and give Stephen that knowing look about getting interrupted...
"Young here, go ahead."
" Ivanova. We're ready for the Code 7R." she says
"Acknowledged. I'm on my way."
I pick up my jacket off the bed and head out to the War Room. I step through the War Room doors and it is simply magnificent. Words can't do it justice. The round table in the center. The giant map of the galaxy on the right side (if you were watching from a tv). There are a few techs still hooking up cables and what not. It's not completely finished yet but nearly done. I nod at Susan.
"I was just finishing up with Doctor Franklin. What's up?"
"Not anything serious I hope?"
"No, he was just patching me up after the latest training session with Marcus and the Rangers. I'm all right."
"Marcus says you're doing very well."
"Really? It would be nice if for once he would tell me that."
Susan chuckles.
"We're ready with the connection---" and as if on cue---the great man himself---Draal appears before us in holographic avatar form. Or whatever it is the Machine projects as his avatar.
"Commander Ivanova."
"Draal. Thank you for taking time for our request. The Captain wanted to--"
"Mr. Young I presume?" he questions as he walks closer towards me and I feel goosebumps again as I am at awe again meeting another huge character----person.
"Yes sir. It is a honor to meet you Draal. I had hoped to come down to the planet in person, but---"
"There will be time enough for that. But now isn't it. You must be aware that the Great Machine has known of you, this whole time."
"I had a suspicion that was the case. Have you had a chance---"
"I have. Do you really want to know what happens? Spoilers." he says with a mischievous look on his face, he turns to Susan
"I am ready to serve, preparations are done. Captain Sheridan can send his message when he likes."
"Thank you Draal."
"I had a question actually." Susan arches her eyebrow
"Yes?" Draal answers theatrically
"This will be done next year anyways, but I was wondering if it would be possible to boost the War Room's communications systems using the Great Machine? Perhaps something Zathras can provide us with?"
"I don't see why not. I will consult with him on this and get back to you. I look forward to meeting, and talking with you under less pressing circumstances Mr. Young."
"You as well Draal. Give my regards to Zathras, and tell him---there are those that listen to him." I wink to Draal and he laughs
"I knew I'd like you." he bows to the both of us. Susan turns to me.
"What are you thinking?"
"We can use the technology of the machine to boost our comm systems range through tachyon's. I should have come down with you when that Mustante woman was aboard, I could have been..."
"You know the Captain wouldn't have allowed it. You know what I saw while in the Machine, Adam...what I saw---absolutely terrified me."
The Shadow equivalent of the Eye of Sauron. Yep. Pure 100 percent terror.
She shakes off the feeling and nods at me.
"It's time to go introduce you to the masses."
We then head to C-In-C where Sheridan is waiting for us.
"It's ready."
"ISN just went black." he tells us and Susan and I exchange looks.
"Let's do this." I say and both Sheridan and I are scanned by holo-imager. I nod at him.
"You're online. Go ahead." Susan reports
"May I have your attention please?" John Sheridan's holographic forms appears everywhere in the station. He can be seen everywhere, by everyone at once.
"In the last few hours, we have learned that warships are on their way to Earth. Their orders, are to seize Babylon 5 by force. As commanding officer and military governor of Babylon 5...I can not allow that to happen." He says letting the words sink in.
"President Clark has violated the Earth Alliance Constitution, by dissolving the Senate, declaring Martial Law, and personally ordering the bombing of civilian targets on Mars."
"He is personally responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Following these attacks, Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have broken away from the Earth Alliance, declaring independence. Babylon 5 now joins with them. As of this moment, Babylon 5 is seceding from the Earth Alliance."
I get goosebumps. Living history again. The score builds in my head as I continue to listen.
"We will remain an independent state until President Clark is removed from office. At the end of this current crisis, anyone who wishes to leave for Earth, may do so. Meanwhile, for your own safety, I urge everyone to stay in your quarters until this is over."
John then turns to look at me and my Avatar is Projected now.
"One last thing. The person standing next to me, only a few of you know, I deemed it neccessary to protect him, now though that isn't possible. His name is Adam, and he's here to help us. He's become a friend. He has the full protection of this station. If anything happens to him, for any reason, you will answer to me. That is all."
The message is over and I look at John.
"That was a little anti-climatic at the end there, sir. For a second I thought you were gonna make me do a speech too."
He laughs despite the situation.
"No time for that now. I just wanted the station to know you, now they do."
"Should we ask Draal to help with the defense?" Susan asks
"No, Draal's our ace in the hole. I want to keep him secret for as long as possible. Like with Mr. Young here. Well---we're in it now."
"It's also not Draal's fight." and Sheridan nods
"No it's not. It's ours, and we're gonna finish it."
He turns his attention to the Pit.
"All right. Anyone who wants to leave---do so now before you violate any regs."
Susan asks to leave for her Starfury and John rejects her but she says her speech and I just nod at him when he looks at me.
"What exactly are we looking at here, in the next few minutes, Mr. Young?"
"About a dozen or so Earth Alliance Destroyers, plus their full squadrons of Starfuries. They are coming anyways....General Hague's forces are still incommunicado, again if he listened to me, he'll stay away from the station no matter how overwhelmed we are."
"I trust we have some kind of aide?"
"Delenn sir, we need to hold them off long enough for her to get her with her fleet. It's...a long story, but that's who is coming."
He nods and Lt. Corwin reports that the Jumpgate is opening and the loyalist forces are coming through. Babylon 5 is on full battle alert. All Cobra Bays have launched their fighters now. One day I'm gonna have to get into a Starfury.
"Who's the lead ship, Mr. Young?" he asks me
"It's the Agrippa sir, Captain Dexter Smith."
"Here they come..." Corwin reports and they're hailing us.
"This is Captain Dexter Smith of the EAD Agrippa to Babylon 5. You are ordered to surrender your commands and prepare to be boarded. This is your only warning. If you do not surrender, we will be forced to initiate deadly force."
I watch the banter between Sheridan and Smith. Come on Delenn. We could use you any time now. We don't have the renegade ships this time. They could blow us up within a half hour or less...
It happens as it does on the episode and the blast doors close on the viewer and our full guns and cannons are brought online. I look on the main command console, I'm gonna have to ask to learn how to operate this thing eventually, and our Shields go up.
"Captain, they're going to dispatch a breaching pod to Brown 95."
"Don't tell me. Tell Garibaldi." he shouts.
"Young to Garibaldi."
"Go."
"Michael, they're going to launch a breaching pod to Brown 95."
"On it."
We start to take on damage as I rock back and forth. This is surreal. I should have gone to help Garibaldi and the others, but the Captain wouldn't allow that. Then...then...we hear HER voice as Corwin reports multiple jump points opening right after Captain Drake issues orders to surrender.
"This is Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari Federation. Babylon 5 is under our protection. Withdraw or be destroyed."
"Negative. We have authority here. Do not force us to engage your ship."
I Nearly laugh at that. Your punk ass is dead if you do that stupid move.
"Why not? Only one human Captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me, you are in front of me. If you value your lives...be somewhere else."
"All ships...return to base."
"YESS!!" I Exclaim and Sheridan frowns
I turn to Sheridan.
"I'm going to Medlab..." and he nods
It's over. For now...
G'Kar agrees to have his Narns act as Station Security replacing the multitude of security we lost to Nightwatch. It was some ridiculous number like 2 thirds of station security went over to the scumbags. Susan also offers him a conditional spot in the Army of Light, she mentions that I vouched for G'Kar to Captain Sheridan. She makes sure that he understands that. There are still Clark loyalists on the station. Not sure how many of them, not all of them were Nightwatch and exposed themselves. Meanwhile I've been busy attempting to use my contacts to figure out where Lise Hampton, and Lianna Bremmer are for Michael. So far not getting any response. Lise should still be on Mars, about to hook up with Old Man Edgars. I've been personally trying to find Lianna---but it could be she went dark or joined up with General Hauge's forces. JMS stated in one of his posts that she was not on Earth Force One when it exploded, but he felt she survived. My PPG is sitting on the desk, with a fresh charge and ready to be used if need be. Marcus has just begun teaching me how to engage multiple people at once. It has dawned on me that this is in fact "Batman Begins" shit---my body has been showing the damage of the training. I've reported to Stephen and Lillian multiple times now for treatment. The Regen Pack treatment for my foot has reached it's apex.
"We're going to have to do surgery. The good news is that we can go ahead with the cloning procedure. It will take a few months for the gestation process to happen. We'll schedule the surgery for near the end of next year---assuming we're all going to still be here---"
"We will be Doc."
I'm tempted to address his stim situation but I know that's a touchy subject for him, and it's just going to get me yelled at, and I'd much rather not have that happen. I hate being yelled at. He waves a dermal crystal wand over me and I feel instantly better.
"That just about does it for you now. I could tell you to be careful, but I'm starting to understand the extent of your---training has had on you."
"Thanks Stephen. I can take the pain, and the occasional dislocated shoulder...but I have to do this. In case I need to protect myself. That first day---kicking beaten like that---well---I don't want to experience that ever again."
Franklin nods.
"How are you doing for pain killers?" Don't bring up the stims. Don't bring up the stims.
"Fine I think. I've got the programming down for the pack. Fascinating little device. This would be...abused quite a bit back home." I Cringe inwardly hoping he doesn't pick up on the subtleness
"Yeah we have a lot of that here too...all right. I think that's it. You're discharged. I'll see you again soon." he jokes
"I hope not too soon."
My link goes off as I hop off the bed and give Stephen that knowing look about getting interrupted...
"Young here, go ahead."
" Ivanova. We're ready for the Code 7R." she says
"Acknowledged. I'm on my way."
I pick up my jacket off the bed and head out to the War Room. I step through the War Room doors and it is simply magnificent. Words can't do it justice. The round table in the center. The giant map of the galaxy on the right side (if you were watching from a tv). There are a few techs still hooking up cables and what not. It's not completely finished yet but nearly done. I nod at Susan.
"I was just finishing up with Doctor Franklin. What's up?"
"Not anything serious I hope?"
"No, he was just patching me up after the latest training session with Marcus and the Rangers. I'm all right."
"Marcus says you're doing very well."
"Really? It would be nice if for once he would tell me that."
Susan chuckles.
"We're ready with the connection---" and as if on cue---the great man himself---Draal appears before us in holographic avatar form. Or whatever it is the Machine projects as his avatar.
"Commander Ivanova."
"Draal. Thank you for taking time for our request. The Captain wanted to--"
"Mr. Young I presume?" he questions as he walks closer towards me and I feel goosebumps again as I am at awe again meeting another huge character----person.
"Yes sir. It is a honor to meet you Draal. I had hoped to come down to the planet in person, but---"
"There will be time enough for that. But now isn't it. You must be aware that the Great Machine has known of you, this whole time."
"I had a suspicion that was the case. Have you had a chance---"
"I have. Do you really want to know what happens? Spoilers." he says with a mischievous look on his face, he turns to Susan
"I am ready to serve, preparations are done. Captain Sheridan can send his message when he likes."
"Thank you Draal."
"I had a question actually." Susan arches her eyebrow
"Yes?" Draal answers theatrically
"This will be done next year anyways, but I was wondering if it would be possible to boost the War Room's communications systems using the Great Machine? Perhaps something Zathras can provide us with?"
"I don't see why not. I will consult with him on this and get back to you. I look forward to meeting, and talking with you under less pressing circumstances Mr. Young."
"You as well Draal. Give my regards to Zathras, and tell him---there are those that listen to him." I wink to Draal and he laughs
"I knew I'd like you." he bows to the both of us. Susan turns to me.
"What are you thinking?"
"We can use the technology of the machine to boost our comm systems range through tachyon's. I should have come down with you when that Mustante woman was aboard, I could have been..."
"You know the Captain wouldn't have allowed it. You know what I saw while in the Machine, Adam...what I saw---absolutely terrified me."
The Shadow equivalent of the Eye of Sauron. Yep. Pure 100 percent terror.
She shakes off the feeling and nods at me.
"It's time to go introduce you to the masses."
We then head to C-In-C where Sheridan is waiting for us.
"It's ready."
"ISN just went black." he tells us and Susan and I exchange looks.
"Let's do this." I say and both Sheridan and I are scanned by holo-imager. I nod at him.
"You're online. Go ahead." Susan reports
"May I have your attention please?" John Sheridan's holographic forms appears everywhere in the station. He can be seen everywhere, by everyone at once.
"In the last few hours, we have learned that warships are on their way to Earth. Their orders, are to seize Babylon 5 by force. As commanding officer and military governor of Babylon 5...I can not allow that to happen." He says letting the words sink in.
"President Clark has violated the Earth Alliance Constitution, by dissolving the Senate, declaring Martial Law, and personally ordering the bombing of civilian targets on Mars."
"He is personally responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Following these attacks, Orion 7 and Proxima 3 have broken away from the Earth Alliance, declaring independence. Babylon 5 now joins with them. As of this moment, Babylon 5 is seceding from the Earth Alliance."
I get goosebumps. Living history again. The score builds in my head as I continue to listen.
"We will remain an independent state until President Clark is removed from office. At the end of this current crisis, anyone who wishes to leave for Earth, may do so. Meanwhile, for your own safety, I urge everyone to stay in your quarters until this is over."
John then turns to look at me and my Avatar is Projected now.
"One last thing. The person standing next to me, only a few of you know, I deemed it neccessary to protect him, now though that isn't possible. His name is Adam, and he's here to help us. He's become a friend. He has the full protection of this station. If anything happens to him, for any reason, you will answer to me. That is all."
The message is over and I look at John.
"That was a little anti-climatic at the end there, sir. For a second I thought you were gonna make me do a speech too."
He laughs despite the situation.
"No time for that now. I just wanted the station to know you, now they do."
"Should we ask Draal to help with the defense?" Susan asks
"No, Draal's our ace in the hole. I want to keep him secret for as long as possible. Like with Mr. Young here. Well---we're in it now."
"It's also not Draal's fight." and Sheridan nods
"No it's not. It's ours, and we're gonna finish it."
He turns his attention to the Pit.
"All right. Anyone who wants to leave---do so now before you violate any regs."
Susan asks to leave for her Starfury and John rejects her but she says her speech and I just nod at him when he looks at me.
"What exactly are we looking at here, in the next few minutes, Mr. Young?"
"About a dozen or so Earth Alliance Destroyers, plus their full squadrons of Starfuries. They are coming anyways....General Hague's forces are still incommunicado, again if he listened to me, he'll stay away from the station no matter how overwhelmed we are."
"I trust we have some kind of aide?"
"Delenn sir, we need to hold them off long enough for her to get her with her fleet. It's...a long story, but that's who is coming."
He nods and Lt. Corwin reports that the Jumpgate is opening and the loyalist forces are coming through. Babylon 5 is on full battle alert. All Cobra Bays have launched their fighters now. One day I'm gonna have to get into a Starfury.
"Who's the lead ship, Mr. Young?" he asks me
"It's the Agrippa sir, Captain Dexter Smith."
"Here they come..." Corwin reports and they're hailing us.
"This is Captain Dexter Smith of the EAD Agrippa to Babylon 5. You are ordered to surrender your commands and prepare to be boarded. This is your only warning. If you do not surrender, we will be forced to initiate deadly force."
I watch the banter between Sheridan and Smith. Come on Delenn. We could use you any time now. We don't have the renegade ships this time. They could blow us up within a half hour or less...
It happens as it does on the episode and the blast doors close on the viewer and our full guns and cannons are brought online. I look on the main command console, I'm gonna have to ask to learn how to operate this thing eventually, and our Shields go up.
"Captain, they're going to dispatch a breaching pod to Brown 95."
"Don't tell me. Tell Garibaldi." he shouts.
"Young to Garibaldi."
"Go."
"Michael, they're going to launch a breaching pod to Brown 95."
"On it."
We start to take on damage as I rock back and forth. This is surreal. I should have gone to help Garibaldi and the others, but the Captain wouldn't allow that. Then...then...we hear HER voice as Corwin reports multiple jump points opening right after Captain Drake issues orders to surrender.
"This is Ambassador Delenn of the Minbari Federation. Babylon 5 is under our protection. Withdraw or be destroyed."
"Negative. We have authority here. Do not force us to engage your ship."
I Nearly laugh at that. Your punk ass is dead if you do that stupid move.
"Why not? Only one human Captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me, you are in front of me. If you value your lives...be somewhere else."
"All ships...return to base."
"YESS!!" I Exclaim and Sheridan frowns
I turn to Sheridan.
"I'm going to Medlab..." and he nods
It's over. For now...