BF110C4

Well-known member
Their doesn't even need to be an intentional orbital bombardment, they just blow up that big station the wrong way and most of the debris will fall back to Minbar's surface. Additionally, sniping surface command centers and military installations, well those are now likely in very built-up areas. Leveling those with capital ship weapons likely will cause collateral damage.
Maybe, maybe not. The attitude of the Warrior Caste is such that I have little doubt that they keep their members segregated from the Worker and Religious Caste and to do so they reserve a huge amount of land for their military bases, so military targets are going to be the perfect location for moraly clean nukes and orbital plasma strikes.

On the other hand I can see the shipyards and large crystal production facilities to be mostly orbital in nature with large stations sharing the habitable space between the workers assembling the ships and the warriors in training waiting for them to be manned so attacks to those facilities will have huge casualties, especially if they are caught by surprise and there is no time for a proper evacuation.

And there are of course civilian factories that could be adapted to military production, such as aircar plants (or whatever futuristic vehicle used in Mimbar) that are transformed to produce fighters and therefore are nested in the middle of cities because no one thought that they might eventually become a target of a limited raid (the Shadows would nuke the cities regardless of the position of the factories just because they can).
 
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Culsu

Agent of the Central Plasma
Founder
Their doesn't even need to be an intentional orbital bombardment, they just blow up that big station the wrong way and most of the debris will fall back to Minbar's surface. Additionally, sniping surface command centers and military installations, well those are now likely in very built-up areas. Leveling those with capital ship weapons likely will cause collateral damage.
And fallout. Those will be hardened facilities, meaning you'll need groundbursts (though with knietic impactors the difference really is just academic).
 

BF110C4

Well-known member
And fallout. Those will be hardened facilities, meaning you'll need groundbursts (though with knietic impactors the difference really is just academic).
Depends on the definition of 'reinforced', in the author's previous work a facility that made missiles based on Shadow technology had to be bombarded by multiple hits from a hyach battlecruiser until the bedrock was cleared and then received multiple multimegaton nukes in a sismic pattern to destroy the place, all without ever becoming overkill. And the mimbari had centuries to harden their important surface facilities before they forgot about the threat of The Shadows and became too complacent in their tech superiority so actually hitting something like their main groundbound C3 facilities will probably ruin the entire continent is located.
 

Seawolf

Member
Depends on the definition of 'reinforced', in the author's previous work a facility that made missiles based on Shadow technology had to be bombarded by multiple hits from a hyach battlecruiser until the bedrock was cleared and then received multiple multimegaton nukes in a sismic pattern to destroy the place, all without ever becoming overkill. And the mimbari had centuries to harden their important surface facilities before they forgot about the threat of The Shadows and became too complacent in their tech superiority so actually hitting something like their main groundbound C3 facilities will probably ruin the entire continent is located.

They were Gigaton-level nukes IIRC
 
Chapter 19

Harlock

I should have expected that really
19


Minbar



“I cannot adequately express my gratitude Vizier Muruk, I didn't expect the Protectorate worlds to mobilise this quickly.”

“Thank you Shai Alyt. In honesty though we had already begun gathering our strength before you requested our aid. When the Minbari patrols were recalled we understood the war had taken a turn for the worse.”

Branmer could only nod in acknowledgement as he strolled through the corridors of his flagship with the leader of the combined Protectorate fleet, an eight foot tall reptilian with claws that could gut an Ox but coupled with the demeanour of a friendly school teacher.

“Many mistakes have been made.” The Minbari leader spoke seriously. “Not just during the war but in the years before it. We are witnessing the Minbari warmachine enduring a sudden test and failing entirely. All we can do is endure, learn from those failings and hope we are still here to try again.”

“Your people are strong, the Minbari stood firm against the Ancient Shadows.” Muruk remarked.

“Only because we had Valen to inspire us, without him I fear our history would be much shorter.”

“Perhaps what you need is a new Valen then, one adequate to this task. Someone like yourself?”

“You flatter me.” Branmer chuckled. “Dukhat may have been that man, I am not. I will however do what I can in his place.”

He paused midstep.

“And the first thing I will do is apologise for not respecting the strength of the Protectorate sooner. You should have been equals to us, not wards we treated as children.”

“Our three races were all but annihilated by the Shadows, without the Minbari we would not have survived the anarchy of those years.”

“Even so Valen would never have wanted you subservient to us. It is one of our old mistakes and I will do what I can to correct it.”


“Much can change in a thousand years.” Muruk began walking again. “I have reviewed the information on the humans. We will be ready to meet them.”

“Your forces are mostly light ships, escorts, patrol vessels, a few frigates.” Branmer listed. “I need you to bolster our planetary garrisons, your crews have experience fighting Raiders and defending orbital facilities. We need that.”

“If you order it then it will be so, but I admit my people yearn for front line battles.”

“In time Vizier. But make no mistake this task is dangerous, human warships have been attacking our middle range colonies with increasing boldness. I guarantee your ships will see battle.”

“Then we will meet it with courage and subtlety. Our ships are Minbari built but without the same technology, without stealth we had to learn to fight a conventional battle.”

“Lessons I hope you can teach those Minbari ships also assigned to garrison duty.” Branmer requested. “Before we were too arrogant to heed such lessons, today they will listen to your words.”

“And we shall speak without conceit. The first fleet is waiting for your orders nearby, I will deploy them as directed.”

“My second, Alyt Neroon will provide the orders. He is organising our redeployment.”

“Very well, in that case I should return to my cruiser.”

“Once again thank you.” Branmer bowed. “We will speak much in the future Vizier, Valen warned this era would be one of great challenges ending with the return of the Shadows. We must all be ready.”

“You are a rare man Branmer, skilled with words and warships alike. I am eager to see where you lead us. In Valen's name Shai Alyt.”

“In Valen's name.”



The great Reptilian bowed and departed in a shimmer of robes. There were three main protectorate homeworlds that at one point had been major players in the galaxy rivalling the Minbari. They had been closer to Shadow space and bore the brunt of the early attacks in the years before Valen buying time for the Minbari to mobilise and fight back.

After the war Valen had ordered the Minbari protect these loyal allies and so it had been, but when Valen had left no one had thought to change his orders. Many imagined Valen had only wanted to defend these worlds until they recovered, others however deemed they would be forever under Minbari protection. Thus they became a permanent Protectorate safe under the shield of the Minbari Navy but unable to exercise true independence.

The Protectorate didn't have a true Navy but did have a surprisingly competent protection fleet tasked with guarding trade routes and borders from moderate threats. Though they didn't field anything bigger than a light cruiser they had fought numerous skirmishes with neighbouring minor nations and raiders giving them a level of practical experience the main Minbari force could not match.

While the Protectorate used older Minbari ships those vessels did not have stealth technology meaning the Protectorate fleet had never relied on it as a crutch. They had been forced to fight conventionally which was a skill set Branmer was very keen to exploit.


“I am surprised they are so eager to help after being dismissed so often by the Council.”

“They have a lot to prove to us.” Branmer answered the statement. “They see this as an opportunity to grow, to stand with us as equals. I am happy to give them the chance.”

“Greater autonomy for the Protectorate is something we have discussed before.” The new speaker stood beside Branmer, tiny in her grey robes. “My father always favoured it.”

“Your father was a wise man Delenn, and a good friend.” Branmer smiled with a moment of sadness. “His passing diminishes us all.”

“I will carry on the work he began, ending this war first of all.”

“Good. Regarding the Protectorate we won't have much choice, right now our fleet is far too weak to defend them. They need to expand their own military, I want the council to approve heavy cruiser construction yards for their key homeworlds.”

“You want them to grow from patrol fleets to a full war fleet?”

“I do, not just for this war.” Branmer expanded. “The Shadows will fall upon us again, the Protectorate will likely take the first wave as they did before. They need to be strong enough to meet that threat.”

“Many in the Council still do not believe the warning of Valen, they don't believe in the return of the Shadows.”

“It does not matter, I have used this war to sweep away anything that might hold us back when that day comes. All we need to do now is survive.”

“Speaking of, we need to talk about Sineval.” Delenn suggested. “Privately.”


The duo made their way deeper into the ship heading for Branmer's personal quarters. They passed a pair of silent guards and entered a dimly lit room, Branmer's meditation chamber. Instantly he paused and looked around him.

“Someone has been in here.”

“I have, just after my return from Omelos.” Delenn admitted. “There is something you need to see. Someone you need to see.”

A bulk moved in the dim corner of the room, large but utterly silent. It glided out of the darkness, shrouded and alien viewing the world through a single illuminated disk in its oblong head.

“A Vorlon?” The most powerful man in the Federation spoke with the awe of a child.

“Not just one.” Delenn smiled at his reaction remembering her own. Behind her a second Vorlon stirred, this one keeping a distance. “I arranged for Dukhat's shrine to be brought over here. I had been preserving it but I think it belongs to you. You are the one to lead us into the new future Shai Alyt, it is you the Vorlons should be speaking with in Dukhat's place.”

“How long have they been here?”

“A while now, nobody beside us and Sech Turval knows they are here. Not even the rest of the Council.”

“They have come to prepare us for the Shadow war?”

“Yes, but we must not move openly, not yet. There is much work yet to do.” Delenn spoke sincerely, a strong resolve in her voice. “We must start by making peace with the humans. They are important to the future, Dukhat wanted us to be friends and allies, we must end this conflict.”


“I agree.” Branmer addressed the nearest Vorlon. “How do we do this?”

The Vorlon did not reply.

“How do we make peace?”

“They do not answer often.” Delenn cut in with her own note of disappointment. “I have asked the same question, they do not answer. Perhaps they don't need to, we may have a way.”

“Sineval?” Branmer turned to her. “What did the Rangers find?”

“Clear evidence the Windswords have been conspiring with the Drakh.” Delenn answered. “We found Sineval's body beside that of a Drakh, they were apparently discussing weapons of mass destruction when a failure in the atmosphere scrubbers poisoned them both.We recovered several data crystals and found a cache of Drakh biological weapons due to be sent to Sineval.”

“That sounds remarkably convenient.” Branmer frowned. “Who tipped you off?”

“Guess.”

“Deathwalker.” Branmer didn't need to speculate. “The Narn suspected that during the war the Dilgar were in contact with agents of chaos. It would be trivial for one such as her to manipulate events to give us this result.”

“Yes, it seems likely.” Delenn agreed. “The data crystals were Minbari in origin but we traced them to the inventory of a missing Worker caste transport, not any Warrior Caste stocks.”

“The Windswords wouldn't use Worker Caste crystals. They are forgeries then?”

“Yes, but hard to spot. Aside from the Rangers I doubt many would be able to tell.” Delenn confirmed. “It is all but certain Deathwalker created this, provided us with both the forgeries and the weapons.”

“And with two dead bodies.” Branmer observed. “Including my main political rival.”


Branmer exhaled as he processed the information, acutely aware that the Vorlons were probably analysing his every response.

“She is giving us a doorway out of this.” Branmer concluded. “Good enough to pass scrutiny and be accepted as truth, but not so perfect that we don't know she was the one behind it.”

“Why? So we owe her a favour?” Delenn asked.

“Probably. No, no more than that. We know it is a lie, and if we accept this it means we will be lying to the whole galaxy in order to stop this war.”

“Minbari do not lie.” Delenn recited. “Except when we do.”

“It will expose us as hypocrites, but only to her. This is her victory over us, proving to all concerned that our morals are as flexible as hers.” Branmer scoffed. “Yes, that's exactly the sort of thing she would do, the lengths she would go to for such a demonstration.”

“We don't have to use it.” Delenn suggested. “We could find our own way out of this war.”

“Our efforts thus far have been disastrous.” Branmer spoke honestly. “We know Deathwalker has influence with the humans, it is likely she will use it to make sure her plan works. This is our best chance, and it will finally destroy the Windswords. In practical terms it gives us everything we want.”

“All we have to do is lie, sacrifice our honour.”

“Sacrifice it to Deathwalker.” Branmer chuckled. “We do not lie, but there are exceptions. To save the honour of our people, to save lives. It is a small price to pay.”


“Convincing the Council may be difficult, Satai Morann is deeply invested in this war.” Delenn looked ahead.

“He is a Windsword, his denials will be dismissed as he too is implicated as being a puppet of the Drakh.” Branmer shrugged. “It is a very neat way out.”

“Many of our people will not accept it, and they will likely blame you Shai Alyt for capitulating.”

“It will not be a surrender, just peace.”

“I doubt it will be seen that way.”

“Perhaps, but we can change perceptions. We can't change being dead.”

His planning was interrupted by the chime of an incoming signal from the control deck.

“This is Branmer, do you have something?”

“Shai Alyt, we have a report from Alyt Neroon. He has detected unusual hyperspace activity just off the main beacon.”

“Define unusual.”

“Possible unknown but very large vessels. In excess of three thousand meters.”

“We don't have any ships that big.” Delenn interjected. “The only people who use such large ships are the humans, deep range exploration ships.”

“Tell him to go to alert status, did Vizier Muruk make it back to his fleet?”

“Yes Shai Alyt.”

“Tell him to go an alert too, also warn orbital command and the Council.”

“At once Shai Alyt.”

He closed the channel and fixed Delenn with a reluctant smile.

“Perhaps all we have discussed will become pointless anyway. If the humans are here in force we might not have the option of honourable surrender.”

“We weren't expecting them to find our homeworld so quickly.” Delenn spoke with obvious concern. “Will they attack the planet itself? Our cities?”

“Our leadership told the humans in very clear terms we were going to exterminate them, we haven't retreated from that position. We should not expect mercy if we ourselves had none to give.” Branmer gritted his teeth. “Here is the moment we reap what we have sown.”

“I should return to the Council.”

“You won't make it, not to the ship or the surface. Here is the safest place for you now.” Branmer resolved. “I will make sure our homeworld does not fall. Stay with the Vorlons, if they have any wisdom to offer bring it to me.”

“And if they do not?”

“You are a Satai of the Religious Caste. Pray.”





*



“Final reports from our forward recon elements Warmaster.” Shai'jhur hand delivered a sheet of readouts. “The two hundred plus ships we monitored entering the system have not left. All of our units are in position and ready to initiate operations.”

Jha'dur passed a ghost of a frown, the only indication that she was not pleased with the news she was being given.

“Those vessels were Protectorate ships. We don't have much information on them, but we do know they are light warships. Mostly corvettes and frigates with a handful of outdated light cruisers.”

“They don't appear to be a front line fighting force. More of an Orbital Guard force.”

“Most likely. Still, they are an unknown variable, we don't have enough information on them to make an accurate assessment.” Jha'dur pursed her lips. “I dislike unknown elements, in every battle there is an element of chance but two hundred largely unknown ships is irritating.”

“By now the Minbari have probably spotted us. If we are going to abort the mission we must do so now Warmaster.”

“No.” The senior officer shook her head. “This mission is too important, we have planned for the possibility of a superior enemy force, we will proceed.”

“As you order Warmaster.”

“Take us into jump formation, set arrival point and standby.”

Shai'jhur set to work, the slight figure striding around the command deck organising the fleet. While Jha'dur handled the strategy Shai'jhur managed the various task forces of the Third Strike Fleet, a task she settled into with practiced ease.

“Captain MacDougan.” Jha'dur contacted the leader of the human detachment. “We will begin operations, what is your status?”

“Everything is ready, we'll go on your word Warmaster.”

“Very good. Be advised the Minbari have received moderate reinforcements. My fleet will deal with them and pin down any Minbari mobile elements. Your mission hasn't changed Captain, destroy the battlestation and then withdraw.”

“Understood.” He replied curtly. “We're in position.”

“Then it is time Captain, congratulations on becoming the first hostile ships to breach the Minbari System for a thousand years. Jump when ready.”


*


MacDougan for his part wasn't thrilled to be taking orders from a war criminal, a sentiment he shared with most of his command, but he couldn't deny Jha'dur was a master of warfare and she had managed to somehow put five hundred ships within striking range of the Minbari homeworld without tripping any alarms. Personal distaste aside she was the best officer to lead this attack, Earth Force Command knew it too, and so he would swallow his bile and do his duty.

“Explorer group, Task Force Command.” He took a breath and set to work. “Initiate jump and maintain data link. Omega group, standby to jump once we have full recon data.”

With that the die was cast, there was no further time for second guesses or doubts. The trio of Explorer ships under his command moved up toward the beacon, if the Minbari hadn't spotted them before they surely would now. Battle was inevitable, a battle planned and laid out by the Dilgar commanded by their most fearsome commander. The EA fleet would do its part, but it did feel a lot like they were just one part of a larger scheme.


The EAS DeSoto was once again part of the operation, this time making the jump in conjunction with her comrades the Cortez and Magellan. Once again they arrived at a safe distance, though as this was the home system of the Minbari Federation safety was a relative concept.

“Begin full scan, coordinate with the other two ships.” Captain Varma gave the nod. “Whatever happens this is a golden opportunity to gather information on the Minbari, we must not waste it.”

“Receiving data on Minbari forces, planetary defences, the battlestation is exactly where expected.”

“Copy that to the Achilles and the Dilgar forces.”

“Done Captain, triangulating optimal jump coordinates for the fleet.”

“Very good.” The Captain kept a very sharp eye on the movements within the Minbari defenders. There was no danger at the moment but if she determined her command was at risk she had authority to withdraw.

“As soon as you complete the calculations relay them back to the fleet.”



*


“Human long range exploration vessels.” Branmer easily identified the three targets. “Their regular scout cruisers were easily destroyed, but it shows impressive flexibility that they were able to adapt such specialised ships for the battlefield as replacements.”

“Shall I order an attack Shai Alyt?”

“Unnecessary.” Branmer shook his head, turning away from the holographic curtain surrounding his command chamber. “By now they have done their job of plotting jump coordinates. Ignore them, prepare for the main event.”

Almost exactly as he finished speaking the sky opened in a string of hyperspace vortexes, shimmering blue portals grandly announcing the true start of hostilities.

“Now we start.” He exhaled. “Full sweep, get me numbers and types.”

“Yes Shai Alyt.”

“Neroon, Vizier, are you tied into my communications?”

“Yes Shai Alyt.” Answered the ever calm Neroon from his own command ship.

“Protectorate fleet ready on your word.” Muruk gave his own answer.

“It would appear to be an understrength Dilgar Strike Fleet with a human task force in support.” Branmer checked the incoming data. “All of them are top of the line ships and based on the formations we should expect them to be well commanded and disciplined. A significant challenge.”

“We are outnumbered but we have the defence grid.” Muruk remarked. “They can't breach it with this many ships.”

“Our ships are also superior.” Neroon intoned. “And we boast the most experienced crews in the Federation.”

“Observe their flagship.” Branmer highlighted. “That is Jha'dur. Deathwalker herself is gracing us with her presence. This isn't going to be a conventional fight.”

“Your orders Shai Alyt?”

“Vizier, deploy behind the satellites, support them and let them support you. Neroon, gather your ships and standby as a reserve. I'll take my ships forward and see if I can determine what she is planning.”



*



“As expected Warmaster there are numerous Protectorate ships, they are moving to reinforce the satellite gun platforms.”

“They are deploying defensively, Branmer must not be confident of their skills in attack.” Jha'dur mused. “Logical enough, this is their first real battle in centuries.”

“We're also facing the main Minbari reserve fleet.” Shai'jhur brought up a few images, the unique patterns in the crystalline hulls making it possible to identify individual ships. “There is Branmer's command vessel, and Neroon moving to take a central position with his task force.”

“And look at this one.” Jha'dur's eyes widened. “The one with the green tinge to the hull, a different type of crystal. That's the Valen'tha.”

“The ship of the Grey Council.” Shai'jhur examined it with clear interest. “Still showing damage from the EAS Prometheus.”

“We really did catch them by surprise.” The Warmaster beamed. “Very well, my compliments to Captain MacDougan, update him on our position and then release him to engage the battlestation. He may use his own initiative regarding the mission, we're going to be too busy with Branmer.”


The fleets began to move, the Earth Force component breaking away from the main Dilgar group and traveling to a new position on the far flank directly above the Minbari capital city, Yedorr. Between the city and the warships sat the battlestation, the Lokka'Fi or Guardian Star. The key stone of the defences serving not only as a formidable obstacle in its own right but also the control centre for the various automated satellites and defensive fighter squadrons surrounding the planet.

As the Earth ships took position the Dilgar deployed for direct combat lining up just outside effective range of the satellites. The two sides staring at each other, taking their measure before taking any action.

“He's staying close to the satellites. Not very imaginative.” Shai'jhur projected the respective formations in a holographic display. “But very effective.”

“He's waiting to see what we do. He won't just hold there.” Jha'dur determined. “He doesn't have any reinforcements coming, he can't let us sit here and cut off his homeworld. Besides he's been fighting humans, he knows you win battles by inflicting as much damage as possible.”

“Shall we release the attack squadrons?”

“No. Bring up the bombardment ships.” Jha'dur smiled. “Let's see how he reacts to that.”


*


“The human forces appear to be lining up on the battlestation.” Neroon reported. “They intend to attack with only six ships?”

“Very bold, but foolish. Authorise the station to arm it's siege breakers.” Branmer ordered. “Once they have cleared the human ships they can turn to engage Dilgar forces.”

“The Dilgar are holding position outside range.” Muruk added. “Shall we advance?”

“No, the station can handle them.” Branmer kept an even expression. “They are probably using old Centauri intelligence, they have a good impression of our satellite defences but the true strength of our great battlestation is going to be an unpleasant surprise.”

He reviewed the tactical display, the disposition of his forces and the enemy. He did have a solid position but simply sitting back and allowing the enemy a free run of the system was a mistake. He had a trump card with the battlestation and its incredible firepower but he had learned not to put all his faith in a single asset.

“Neroon, the humans are deploying to the far left flank. The forces there are fairly light, I want you to move forward and split them. Divide the humans and Dilgar.”

“Yes Shai Alyt.”

“No need to press too hard, just apply some pressure and see if they react.” Branmer ordered. “Once the station engages prevent the Dilgar from supporting the human ships.”

“On my way.”

“All other forces hold position for now, engage any targets that come into range.”


A few flotillas moved away from the main Minbari force in a cautious formation, frigates and light ships forward with a handful of warcruisers at the rear. These were Neroon's personal cohort of warriors who had been more open to Branmer's vision and had managed to survive the great battles so far, they mixed the lifetime of training all warriors had with the flexibility and initiative Neroon had brought them. Ship for ship they were probably the best of the Minbari, but also very few in number.

Those forces now made Branmer's play launching fighters and angling for the Dilgar flank. They largely ignored the EA ships for now and lined up on the fairly light cruiser and frigate pentacans Jha'dur was using to pin her flank.

As they did so the immense battlestation came to life, fighters bleeding from a dozen bays as it slowly began to align toward its targets. The station also carried a compliment of gunships, small stubby craft more usually seen in the service of the Anla'shok and rarely deployed far from home. They and the fighters set the course for the human fleet to keep them busy while the station prepared for battle.


*


“Captain, enemy forces on the move. Dilgar fleet responding.”

“Hold station.” MacDougan acknowledged. “Will they cross into our sector?”

“Not if they keep on course.”

“Then we'll stick to the job in hand. All vessels engage hostiles as they enter range. Release fighter squadrons, intercept enemy light craft and keep them at a distance.”

Engines flared blue as the various Starfury squadrons advanced, three squadrons from each Omega fanning out to intercept the incoming Minbari light craft. Behind them at a further distance the Explorer ships also deployed their airwings putting them into a holding pattern to cover the more vulnerable vessels.

The two sides collided in a sudden flash of energy, the opposing squadrons wheeling and rolling in evasive patterns. Explosions began to mark the clash as craft on both sides began to fall.

“Interceptors, engage at will, watch for friendlies.”


Several hundred miles behind the DeSoto finally finished its scan, the information collating into an accurate picture of the minbari home system.

“Captain MacDougan, we have everything.” Varma informed. “Recommend we move on to our final phase.”

“Very good Captain, call up the Gandiva and get her in here.”

“At once. I should also note some unusually high energy emissions from the Minbari station.”

“Energy emissions? What type?”

“Unknown Captain, but it is unlikely to be anything pleasant. Please use caution.”

“Understood, bring up our support and hopefully we'll finish this without ever finding out.”

“Message away.”

“Captain!” Her second cut in. “Jump points forming near the Dilgar line.”

“Identify.”

“They are Dilgar ships, old ones. Captain I'm detecting Mass Drivers attached to several of those ships.”

She muttered slightly under her breath before responding.

“Captain MacDougan, there is another development.”



*


“The flank can hold for a while, Neroon isn't pressing it hard.” Jha'dur observed. “Move some reserves up but do not commit them yet.”

“Bombardment groups one and two are in position behind our main force.” Shai'jhur reported. “They are loading drivers and preparing to engage.”

“Watch Branmer.” Jha'dur smiled. “This will determine what calibre of a man he is.”

“Warmaster, signal from the human fleet.”

“As anticipated, patch it through.” She paused a second. “Captain MacDougan, do you require assistance?”

“I require an explanation for the deployment of Mass Drivers. Those weapons are banned by international treaty.”

“I will not be using them against the planet Captain, just the satellites. The Minbari defence grid is unmatched, if I move into range and engage with ships I'll lose most of my fleet. Instead I will snipe them from a distance, just as you plan Captain.”

“If you miss and one of those rocks hits the surface...”

“I don't miss Captain.” Jha'dur assured. “I will not use Mass Drivers against civilian targets or the surface, you have my word.”

“Warmaster, we are ready.” Shai'jhur cut in.

“Begin the attack.” She nodded. “Observe if you wish Captain, my targets are purely the satellites.”


Each of the bombardment ships took their shot in turn, the skeletal weapon array pulsing with magnetic force before lobbing a relatively small lump of rock downrange toward Minbar. Each Mass Driver was loaded with a smaller projectile than they could have used, the lesser mass allowing a greater speed though 'small' was a relative term.

The Minbari responded quickly, their green beams reaching out and cutting into each rock, smashing them down, reducing them to fragments, but even with their power it took time. The sheer density and mass of the rocks needed several hits each from multiple satellites. A scatter of pebbles bounced off the Minbari hulls harmlessly and flitterd down toward the planet fizzing in the upper atmosphere.

“I will use the bombardment to remove the satellites from the equation, either by destroying them or forcing them to engage the incoming rocks.” Jha'dur declared. “That lets me face their fleet ship to ship, a simple strategy Captain MacDougan. Focus on your sector Captain, in the interests of unity I will overlook your concerns to this point but from now on I expect obedience. Continue with the next stage.”


The next stage was for Earth Force to deploy its own long range bombardment ship, in this case the EAS Gandiva. The vessel arrived in a flurry of coruscating light, a massive vessel emerging near the trio of Explorer ships a safe distance from the front line. The Gandiva was essentially the hull of an Explorer that had been two thirds finished when the war began, it had the same engines and crew sections suspended around the long gridwork hull but lacked the massive sensor arrays. Instead firing down the centreline of the ship from within the cage like hull were a quartet of spinal laser cannons.

Earth had been trying for years to make spinal lasers work, based on Hyach weapons they were incredibly powerful and accurate but also intensely power hungry. Earth could build the weapons but not the miniaturized cooling and power systems that allowed it to fit on a warship. The sole prototype fitted to a Nova hull, the Cyclops, had been deemed a failure. However on an Explorer class hull size was suddenly no longer an issue, Earth Force could simply pack the space with as many secondary reactors and cooling systems as needed and when finished decided to add three more guns to really get the most from the design. Due to its size it wasn't going to hit a moving target which the EA had hoped for, but for engaging fixed targets it was ideal.

The Gandiva, named for the legendary bow from Hindu mythology, was the only ship of her type and had been rushed into action for this mission, she was Earth Force's special weapon and as far as anyone knew she packed more raw firepower than anything else in space.


“Gandiva in position, transmitting targeting data.”

“Tie it into the sensor feed.” Captain Varma ordered. “Ensure it has real time information on the target.”

“Aye Captain.”

“What is the station doing?”

“Still building energy.”

“The Gandiva should already be fully charged, we will fire first.” Varma observed. “Make certain they do not miss.”

The artillery ship adjusted position, its four kilometer long guns releasing safety mechanisms and opening their protective gunports there to stop foreign objects scratching the lenses. All four guns would fire at once to converge on the target to give the effect of a single immensely powerful beam that could defeat any known armour.

It was a precision weapon, but at these ranges even a tiny error could see the weapon miss. If it did sitting directly behind the station was the city of Yedorr which would of course suffer catastrophic damage. Everything relied on precision, if the targeting data was wrong or the ship fired at the wrong instant it could derail the entire goal of demonstrating power but without inflicting massive casualties.

“Thirty seconds until full charge.” The sensor officer reported. “Gandiva is aligned and on target.”


*


“I was expecting something like this, an attempt to remove our fixed defences and force a ship to ship battle.” Branmer carefully watched the new arrivals. “We will oblige, Deathwalker clearly expects us to attack her bombardment ships, she knows we can't ignore them.”

“The Mass Drivers.” Delenn stepped up beside her older colleague, keen to see how the battle was fought.

“Those aren't the best target, look behind them, the depot ships carrying spare ammunition.” Branmer pointed. “And there, the maintenance shuttles that move the rocks into the driver. They are easier targets than the warships themselves, fighters alone can neutralise them which is why she has deployed her escort frigates near them. Powerful anti fighter ships.”

“So we can't use fighters, and if we go after them with warships...”

“Her main battle line intercepts us. Cleverly deployed.” Branmer allowed. “She has covered every eventuality, except one. She expects a methodical attack, a careful measured advance as we have always done. She has not accounted for our new friends.”

Branmer smiled toward the protectorate ships.

“Vizier Muruk, I need your help.”

“We are ready Shai Alyt.”

“Patch me through to all your ships, I wish to speak to you all.”

“Proceed Shai Alyt.”

“I need you to destroy the depot ships servicing the Mass Drivers. They are protected by Dilgar escort frigates, a dangerous enemy but you are superior.”

“We are Shai Alyt, we will leave none alive.”

“Use all your skill and fury Vizier, the warriors of the Protectorate earned their place with blood and fire, you did not have technology or numbers, only the skill of your crews and resolve of your hearts. Minbar needs you today, billions of lives may depend on it.”

He set his jaw.

“Many of you will not survive, perhaps none of you, but we fight side by side as equals and whatever your fate shall also be mine. Will you join me Vizier?”

“To the death Shai Alyt!” Muruk replied with battle lust building, Branmer's words firing his spirit alongside his people. “In Valens name!”

“In Valens name.” Branmer intoned more sombrely. “Begin the attack.”


Without anything else the Protectorate ships broke cover and began to accelerate toward the Dilgar, the warrior race cheering and raising their voices in war chants they gleefully broadcast on all channels. It was the exact opposite of how a Minbari fleet would act, the ships taking wild evasive twists and rolls as they threw themselves into battle without hesitation.

“All vessels, advance in support.” Branmer ordered his own ships ahead. “Engage Dilgar cruisers and heavy units. Keep them from flanking the Protectorate fleet.”

The more stately wall of Minbari heavy ships began to advance, a few groups of Sharlins bulked up by smaller cruisers and filled out with frigates. Rocks still fell toward the planet, Branmer would have to trust the fixed defences to handle it for now which was a gamble but a calculated one.

“What about the human attack?” Delenn asked. “They have a siege ship.”

“I'll send in the fighter reserves, their large ship seems poorly defended and fragile.” Branmer decided. “Otherwise we must trust to the battlestation.”

“Shai Alyt.” A voice called over. “The Valen'tha wishes to join us.”

“The Grey Council ship? Let me speak to them.”

A holographic panel resolved to show Coplann, the stern Satai nodding curtly.

“Shai Alyt, we stand ready.”

“I respect your courage but you must remain in reserve.”

“I command a warcruiser Shai Alyt, one of precious few we have left. No commander can afford to waste such an asset.”

“The Dilgar would make you a priority target to...” He paused. “But perhaps not the humans. Assist Neroon Satai Coplann, join his unit, he is tasked with driving a wedge between the human and Dilgar forces.”

“As you order.”

The screen went blank returning Branmer to the view of the closing Dilgar battle line.

“It is dangerous, but I think the Valen'tha will endure a human attack.” Delenn nodded.

“Earth may attack her but their ships are few and have other concerns. Perhaps she can clear away some of those fighters and let us engage their sensor ships.”


The two main fleets began to engage, Branmer's core fleet keeping up a steady advance and holding a tight formation in the face of the larger but more loosely deployed Dilgar Pentacans. Fire was exchanged, the lighter ships on both sides moving to the flanks to give the heavier vessels clear lines of fire.

At the same time the Protectorate forces surged forward looping underneath the main Dilgar line fixed on the bombardment group. They ran into the escorting frigates with a fearsome and savage exchange of fire, the two groups tearing pieces from each other's hulls and merging into the closest thing frigates could manage to a fighter dogfight.

“Well done Branmer, very well done.” Jha'dur grinned widely. “Look at that recklessness, absolute commitment to battle with no consideration for survival. I haven't seen that sort of pure combat since Balos. Outstanding.”

“The Minbari themselves would never allow themselves to be so savage so we never accounted for it. A suicidal fury.” Shai'jhur acknowledged. “They think too highly of themselves to indulge in such fighting.”

“But Branmer knows that without an edge in technology or numbers what wins wars is fury, courage, that fire in the blood a real soldier feels.” Jha'dur enthused. “Earth has it, we have it, most of the League never did. The Minbari don't have it but Branmer is clever enough to import it from his outer worlds. Yes, yes this man is absolutely a peer. This is a leader we can reach an accord with.”


The two officers watched the Minbari groups engaging, one calm and controlled, the other wild and aggressive.

“He's keeping his main fleet in close formation to make up for his lack of numbers, making sure they cover each other. It will be costly to break them apart.”

“Looking at his position he wants to pin us here so we can't engage his Protectorate group.” Shai'jhur observed. “If we move to assist our forces there Branmer can break through, use his massed ships to achieve local superiority and smash clean through our centre.”

“This is turning into a real contest. So much the better.” Jha'dur nodded. “Commit fighter and strike squadrons against the Protectorate fleet. Give them another problem to overcome.”

“Yes Warmaster.”

“Then order Capital Pentacans to advance and engage the Minbari fleet more closely. Increase the pressure against him and have the bombardment ships switch to full sized asteroids.”

“Full sized shots from the Mass Drivers are likely to result in damage to the surface even if the satellites intercept them.”

“Yes. Your point?” Jha'dur raised an eyebrow.

“Understood, orders going out.”



*


With battle now fully joined the various commanders now had to rely on the skill and capabilities of their subordinates. Pentacan commanders remained mobile, rotating ships in and out of combat as damage began to accrue. Minbari captains steadfastly remained in formation, holding position even as Dilgar heavy weapons left their ships scarred with glowing hull breaches. Protectorate forces weaved through their enemies to take shots at the vulnerable Mass Driver squadrons, rapidly finding themselves under attack by fresh Dilgar Dartfighters armed with nuclear missiles.

MacDougan kept a close watch on those developments and especially Neroon's task force which was inching through the Dilgar flank and making overtures toward his Explorer group. Those ships could easily jump away if in danger of course, but doing so would rob him of his eyes and ears. Of greater priority though was the siege ship.

“Gandiva reports weapons armed, she's about to fire.”

“All ships, all fighters, watch her line of fire.” MacDougan warned. “Standby to move once the station is gone.”

In the distance the large warship made completed preparations and initiated its firing sequence, the reactors dumping into capacitors which in turn discharged into the final chamber. Four clustered beams of significant power burst from the prow of the vessel, cooling gas discharging in glimmering clouds of white ice reflecting the red of the beams. Despite the range the impact was almost instant, the station flashing as the beams connected before vanishing in a bright white glow of superheated material.

The ship adjusted very slightly walking the beams across the massive station cutting deep into its hull and severing its internal structure in a cataclysmic display of heat, molten material and plasma. When the beams finally stopped there was only a dense cloud of shimmering heat where the station had been.


“Direct hit!”

“Is the station destroyed?” Captain Varma did not allow a moment of relief yet.

“Unable to confirm, but judging by the amount of superheated gas and...”

“I do not require judgements I require facts. Find me confirmation.”

“Yes Captain, I can't scan past the gas right now, it is cooling and dispersing rapidly.”

“Energy spike!” A warning sounded across the command deck. “It's off the chart!”

“All hands brace!” Varma ordered, there was no point trying to evade in an Explorer, if something was heading their way that would be the end of it.

A massive burst of energy erupted from the dispersing cloud, a green beam that could only be a Minbari weapon yet of far greater strength than previously encountered. It passed by most of the fleet to strike the main threat, the Gandiva. The gigantic ship folded like burning paper, twisting and contorting in the stream of energy until its reactors gave up and tore the remains of the ship apart.


“Gandiva is down!”

“What was that weapon?” Varma focused her crew.

“A fusion cannon, but massive in scale.” The report came through. “Primitive compared to other Minbari weapons.”

“But most effective.”

“I have a reading on the station, it is still there but has taken massive damage.”

“Relay that to Captain MacDougan.”

In the distance as the cloud dimmed the Minbari Battlestation revealed itself, nearly a third of its mass was gone, cut away by the Gandiva and turned into fragments and drifting chunks. That sort of damage should have destroyed any target but not the station. At its core now visible was the Fusion cannon, intact and preparing for a second shot.

“Omega group this is Achilles.” MacDougan's voice filtered through. “Close the range and engage the station directly, focus on the damaged sections and the cannon. We can still finish the mission. Explorer group continue to offer what support you can.”

Varma's expression flickered a little but the order was given.

“Missile batteries, begin saturation fire.”

“Yes Captain.”

“Bravo squadron will remain on defensive duty, Alpha squadron will advance and support the attack.” She committed her forces. “Monitor the station, try to predict its next target.”

“On it.”

“Expend all our munitions and watch those Minbari flanking forces, we don't want ourselves within their range.”


*


“The Centauri didn't mention that.” Shai'jhur remarked plainly.

“It appears their reputation as the premier spies in the galaxy is taking further damage.” Jha'dur exhaled. “What sort of enemy requires a weapon of such... ah yes, of course they do.”

“Warmaster?”

“I'll brief you in detail later, in the past the Minbari have faced enemies that probably would require such excessive firepower to confront. Perhaps this station was a relic from that era? It would explain why the weapon is such an old fashioned piece of technology by Minbari standards.”

“Earth Force is moving to engage it directly, the station is heavily damaged but still operational.”

“Again probably over engineered to survive a far more dangerous enemy than us. No matter, destroying it will now have even more significance. We have little to spare, but send the reserve fighter wings. Have them clear those Minbari fighters and gunships so Earth can hit their target.”

“Battlemaster Ari'shan's squadron is among those wings Warmaster.”

“Good, I'm sure he'll enjoy flying with his new friends again. Send them in, then redress the right flank and wheel us around. That Neroon hasn't fully committed concerns me. He's probably sizing up those Explorer ships.”


Fresh squadrons launched from their ships, the last few fighters Jha'dur was holding back for such an eventuality. They quickly raced across the gulf and swept in to assist the human Starfuries adding their weight to the fierce contest. By now the duel was in full swing, small craft darting back and forth discharging their guns at any opportunity. All three participants had the firepower to blast apart an opposing fighter in a single clean hit meaning the gap between life and death could be only a fraction of a second, a moment of distraction or just plain bad luck often deciding things.

Among the fighters the six Omega Class destroyers advanced spitting pulse fire as they moved, smaller gun turrets sweeping back and forth to engage any passing Minbari targets. By now most of the gunships were finished, the last few limping into action spluttering flame and trailing debris from dozens of hits by strafing fighters.

“Alpha Squadron, focus on targets coming in from two o'clock.” Sinclair called out. “We'll make a high speed pass then break left and head for the station.”

He brought his squadron in directly from the DeSoto trusting on his comrades in Bravo squadron to keep the ship safe. With the engagement becoming increasingly dire Earth was throwing all it had into a push on the station, the shattered orbital structure still defiant in the face of the attack.

Sinclair led his fighters past an incoming gun boat, dodging some poorly aimed gunfire and responding with well placed concentrated fire as they swept past. It wasn't enough to destroy the small warship but it did wound it further leaving the gunship easy prey for the nearest Omega.


The Destroyers began to focus their attacks, heavy laser beams cutting into the station followed up by a hail of pulse cannons. Each hit inflicted damage, tearing at the structure of the facility but not nearly enough to have immediate effect. The sheer mass soaked up the hits before responding with its own storm of pulses. Interceptors met them but with so many saturating the destroyer group hits began to land.

“Get in close and try to take out some of those cannons.” Sinclair dived down toward the scorched battlestation. “By the numbers, strafe the gun mounts then get some distance.”

“Commander, energy spike!”

“Break off!” Sinclair reacted at once throwing his fighter aside. A few moments later another giant blast erupted from the station catching one of the destroyers. It was weaker than before but still obliterated most of the forward quarter of the vessel leaving it rolling away wreathed in flame. Below them the massive doors that shielded the fusion siege gun quickly slammed shut protecting the elderly super weapon.

“Squadron, fall back, we can't go forward without warship support!”

His computer beeped flashing up a message on the datalink, orders to standby for withdrawal.

“Move to the regroup position, watch for those Minbari on the right!”


Things were obviously going badly, even though the destroyers were still engaging furiously MacDougan must have calculated they couldn't break the station before it wiped out the destroyer group. It was a bitter feeling but it looked like this particular target was far more potent than anyone could have predicted.

“Alpha Leader, Knight Leader on your left.”

A familiar black and red Thorun fighter coasted up alongside, the personal craft of Ari'shan.

“We've been put on notice to withdraw, when the final order comes in we'll be jumping fast.”

“Yes, your Explorer ships are already moving.” Ari noted. “But if we can stop that siege cannon we might still be able to finish the fight.”

“It's too heavily defended, we can't get close without a destroyer.”

“No, no we can.” Ari spoke firmly. “We can, you and I.”

“That place is a firestorm, there's so much debris around the station, so many point defence guns still active, a few fighter squadrons...”

“Yes, it's going to be quite the challenge. But if we don't it will cost you at least two more ships, and then likely several Dilgar capital ships before we all retreat. I'm not going to let those lives be lost.”

“It's suicide.” Sinclair said frankly.

“Not for us.”

“Even if we got close we don't have the firepower to stop it.”

“I do, I have two anti ship nukes. They won't breach the station but if we drop one down the muzzle we can silence it.”

“That's crazy.” Sinclair exhaled. “But you're right, in the time it takes to prepare jump drives we're going to lose ships. We have to try.”


Sinclair swung around, Ari in perfect formation.

“Alpha squadron continue to withdraw, no questions just go. Knight leader, I'll go ahead and find a path, stay close and launch those missiles the second you get a clean shot.”

“Right with you.”

Sinclair took a steadying breath, this was insane but in a situation like this it might just save a few thousand lives. He opened the throttle and began to build speed, the station ahead and the pale orb of Minbar itself behind causing a fair amount of glare. He adjusted his visor to compensate and loosened his body, settling into his crash couch and putting his brain into high gear.

The way down was choked with wreckage thrown up from the Gandiva's direct hit offering no clear path. Gunfire still rose up from the station but focused mainly on the warships, two fighters amid the debris weren't immediately spotted. In the other direction red lasers and orange pulses still slammed past as MacDougan put a final effort into destroying or at least disabling the station but to little avail. The doors protecting the main cannon resisted every attack and would open only briefly to take their shot.

“We need to time our approach, arrive just as the weapon is ready to fire.” Ari recommended. “Too soon and we're sitting ducks, too late and we're vaporised.”

“We won't have to worry about being early, energy levels are rising fast.” Sinclair noted. “We'll need to go through at full throttle.”

“Right with you, take the lead.”

This was far and away the most stupid thing he had ever done, and it was a long list.

“Afterburners on my mark... mark!”


The Starfury kicked forward, Ari almost immediately following in his wake. At this sort of speed there was no room for error, no second chance if his reactions were even marginally wrong. They shot past a slab of fractured crystal armour, its surface a criss cross of hairline cracks passing by just a couple of metres from the fast moving craft. Bursting from its shadow they banked sharply to miss the forward hull of a gunship, then rolled over more debris before lining up directly over the station.

Every threat warning system he had warbled in alarm, the station spotted them and assigned a series of guns to end their brief escapade filling space with blue and green pulses. Sinclair couldn't waste time trying to dodge them, trying to predict the path of each salvo. He just picked a route and flew on instinct, turning, twisting, sidestepping at random whenever his senses told him to. There was no plan, just blind hope that nothing would touch him.

The debris helped by absorbing some hits, the friendly destroyers also managed to still appear the main threat and so draw most of the fire, but it was a gauntlet of fire.

“Energy spike, she's going to shoot!” Ari called, his voice seeming incredibly distant. “Watch the doors!”

Sinclair banked hard putting both of their craft right over the heart of the station diving toward the still sealed doors at breakneck speed. As if seeing their intent every gun on the station seemingly opened fire on them, a hurricane of fusion energy that swamped their course. He took a hit to one engine, even the extraordinary skills he possessed reaching their limit against this impossible task.

“Doors opening!”

Sinclair tilted his craft to give Ari the smallest window of opportunity, less than half a metre below his Fury to make the shot. It was more than enough. Both missiles raced past and as they did the two fighters turned aside, Sinclair trailing fire from his shattered engine, the gunfire getting closer.


Both missiles struck in a flash of white light, their destructive power relatively slight but placed precisely enough to sever the power feed to the cannon. With nowhere to go the energy discharged directly into the weapon itself triggering a massive secondary explosion, a blast big enough to hollow out the centre of the station and shut down it's reactors.

The remaining destroyers capitalised at once pouring on more energy, hitting the now exposed central components of the massive space station, methodically breaking it apart. It was perhaps not quite so clean and spectacular as hoped but with its main weapons gone and most of its insides melting away Earth force only needed to give it a small further nudge into oblivion.

“We got it!” Ari exclaimed. “I knew we were that good! Your father would be proud to see that!”

“I still took damage, reactors failing.” Sinclair reported. “I can't make it back to my ship.”

“Then follow me to mine.” Ari resolved.

“There's half the Minbari starfighter corps between us and them.”

“A minor obstacle. Even in a damaged fighter you are worth a thousand of them, and I'm worth ten thousand!”

Despite himself Sinclair laughed.

“Are you always this modest?”

“A knight should always have plenty of tall tales, this one is a fine addition. Now follow me, my squadron will be eager to meet you.”



*


“They did it.” Jha'dur nodded. “I'm a little impressed, pleasantly so.”

“Earth Force fleet is beginning its withdrawal, Neroon is vectoring toward them but he won't catch them.”

“Very well.” The Warmaster acknowledged. “We're moving, shift us to the flank as the humans leave. Right above that wrecked space station.”

Shai'jhur complied, the flagship and her escorts moving swiftly behind the still fierce fighting and looping around to stare down on the wreck.

“Very nicely done, we have a clean shot right down to their capital city. With the station gone, the Minbari fleet engaged and their satellites weakened or busy we can do as we please.”

“I can prepare the main weapons but at this range the diffusion probably won't penetrate the atmosphere.”

“That won't be necessary.” Jha'dur tapped a button on the comms station. “Vendetta, initiate jump.”

Her second paused.

“The Vendetta is here? Your former flagship?”

“It is.”

“I was not aware of this.”

“You are my chief of staff but some things are classified even beyond you.”

On the sensors the warship arrived, an older Sekhmet class cruiser that still showed the scars of its last battle.

“I thought it was fitting, the Minbari gravely wounded my old ship, she should be the one to repay the favour.”

“A single Sekhmet can't do much, if it tries to close into weapons range Neroon will intercept it and...”

Shai'jhur spotted the modification, the addition that had changed the old warship, the final part of Jha'dur's plan that she had kept so close even her closest allies had not been told.

“I purged the Drakh, but not before securing their gifts for us.”


Slung under the vendetta was a long black missile, a weapon as enigmatic as it was ancient. It was not a weapon made by the Dilgar and it showed, something alien and intimidating, a device even the warlike Dilgar deployed with great care and respect.

“It is a missile made by those who command the Drakh, a sample of their power.” Jha'dur noted. “A weapon of exceptional strength, it is designed to penetrate the crust of a planet and detonate with excessive force triggering large scale earthquakes across a wide area. Apparently these old aliens deployed them by the thousands, enough to destroy a biosphere and render a world uninhabitable. Obviously we can't do that, but we can still leave an impression.”

She tapped the controls again.

“Vendetta, time to launch?”

“Three minutes Warmaster.”

“Fire when ready, don't wait for further orders, then withdraw.”

“We had such weapons?” Shai'jhur finished her scan, the readings matching the description Jha'dur had given.

“A few, we planned to make more but the Drakh were reluctant to offer such technology without our full devotion. Their masters by all accounts are far more generous. If this doesn't get their attention nothing will.”

“You still want to make contact with them?”

“Of course, one way or another we need to know who they are and what they stand for. Dukhat apparently wanted something similar, we need to know. This achieves that goal and several others.”


Shai'jhur accepted the words of her commander, personal questions aside she had her duty.

“Based on the impact point the weapon will completely destroy Yedorr and three adjascent cities, estimated casualties in excess of twenty million.”

“Not so my friend.” Jha'dur smiled the sort of smile that usually emerged before something truly apocalyptic occurred. “The missiles create earthquakes, send shockwaves transmitted through rock and water yes?”

“Yes Warmaster.” Shai'jhur's mind worked fast to catch up to what Jha'dur had apparently planned.

“Tell me about Tuzenore.”

“Tuzenore?”

“Quickly now.”

“The City of Sorrows, one of the wonders of the galaxy carved directly from crystal, the entire city catches sunlight during the day and radiates the light back out again at night.”

“Yes, a simple form of the energy manipulating crystal the Minbari have embraced. Many of their cities and buildings are carved from single huge pieces of crystal, as were their early ships. What does it tell us?”

“That they have access to a lot of crystal.”

“Yes, but more than that.” Jha'dur wrapped up. “It means they have massive deposits of pure crystal in their planetary crust. Miles and miles across, hundreds of metres deep, laid thickly across the whole planet. What happens when natural Minbari crystal is struck?”

“It shatters.” Shai'jhur's eyes widened. “The earthquake missile, the impact, it won't send shockwaves through rock.”

“Because there isn't much rock, it will send shockwaves through crystal which will instead shatter.” Jha'dur's expression burned with anticipation. “The foundation of every major city will transform from solid crystal to trillions of smaller fragments, anything above them will collapse, buildings, lakes, mountain ranges. It will swallow everything within the blast range, and with crystal the range is far greater.”

Shai'jhur tried to predict the level of damage but couldn't.


“It will sink the entire continent, one quarter of the landmass of Minbar and trigger tsunami's of untold scale.” Jha'dur answered for her. “I predict one third to one half of their population wiped out and the end of Minbari dominance forever. By the time they recover in a few generations we will have taken their place.”

Shai'jhur's eyes were fixed on the planet. “So that was the plan all along?”

“It was either humans or Minbari who would fall so we could take their place, and frankly I like humans more.” She shrugged before her expression turned to ice. “Besides, while the humans tried to kill me often enough they were at war with us. The Minbari had no excuse for their attack on me, on us. Their arrogance needs a response. Minbari fight to win, whatever else they say they only ever fight to win because they almost never lose. When they do lose a fight they just come back with more force until they eventually win. That is the entire philosophy of the Warrior Caste, they simply can't see any other reason to fight. It is why they couldn't fathom why humans kept battling even when defeat was certain. They don't understand why people could fight for other reasons.”

Jha'dur listed a few on her fingers

“Duty, fatalism, anger, spite, honour.”

“Because it is better to die on your feet than cower on your knees.” Shai'jhur recited.

“Such a thought is alien to the Minbari, but not Branmer, and not those of Valen's age. That is why Branmer is so dangerous, he is giving the Minbari reasons to fight which don't rely on a clear victory at the end. That will make the Minbari a great people, but only if they listen to him. We're going to help him with that, after this little lesson they will listen to nobody else. They will see how right he was all along, perhaps one day he will even thank us.”

“I wouldn't be sure of that.”

“You're probably right. It doesn't matter I suppose, either way this war is over.”



*



“”How long until the debris begins falling from orbit?”

Branmer quietly observed the remains of the great batlestation making sure to keep his demeanour neutral. He could tell his staff were shaken and the last thing they needed was to see anything other than calm confidence from their leader. Losing the station was a grievous blow, the facility was both a part of their culture and a very practical asset for the coming Shadow war. Replacing it would take serious effort especially alongside replacing warship losses.

“Some already has, the larger pieces will take longer, calculating their path now.”

“We have almost wiped out the Dilgar Mass Driver units, once they are gone their main fleet can't break the defence grid.” Branmer focused his people on the immediate task. “Whatever our losses we have so far prevented casualties on the ground. One final effort will seal this battle.”

“There's a new ship.” Delenn spotted the jump point. “Not far from where the human ships departed.”

Branmer examined it, a Dilgar heavy cruiser that was linking up with a dreadnought unit.

“Not much of a reinforcement, a single cruiser is worth far less than the human ships that just left. Why not keep them in the field?”

“The vessels nearby include the Dilgar flagship.”

Branmer frowned. “If Deathwalker is giving it her attention then it has value. Is Neroon still in the area?”

“Yes Shai Alyt, he still has most of his task force.”

“Send him to destroy them.”


As the orders were sent something changed, several alarms sounding on the ship.

“A new energy reading from the cruiser. It isn't Dilgar in origin.”

“That is Shadow technology!” Delenn recognised instantly, her eyes growing wide. “How?”

“It doesn't matter, identify exactly what it is.” Branmer enforced calm. “Neroon, are your sensors showing Shadow technology?”

“They are, it just activated.”

“Whatever it is, destroy it as a priority.”

“There!” Delenn examined the ship. “It's a missile, I don't recognise the type, but that blackness...”

“Neroon, did you hear that?”

“I did Shai Alyt, accelerating to engage.”

As they watched the long stiletto weapon dropped from the lower hull of the Dilgar cruiser, it hung in space for a second and then with a screech that should have been impossible to hear it threw itself at the planet.

“Missile has launched!” Neroon called in simultaneously. “It is targeting the capital, all ships intercept!”

“Neroon, whatever that missile is, it is Shadow technology, a Shadow weapon. Do not let it reach the surface.”

“I understand Shai Alyt.”

“By whatever means at any cost Neroon. It cannot reach Minbar.” Branmer repeated for emphasis. “It cannot touch our home.”

“In Valen's name Shai Alyt, I swear it will not.”


The black dart fell for the surface picking up speed, a dozen Minbari warships moving to block its path, the closest ships opening fire with every possible weapon. It was a ferocious display, but actually hitting the relatively small missile complete with its own exceptional stealth systems was extremely difficult.

“Missile on course, the Minbari are moving to intercept.”

“Of course they are.” Jha'dur folded her arms. “That is why we are here, open fire on the Minbari ships. They will be too distracted to respond.”

The Dilgar flagship and her heavy escorts began long range fire, beams and pulses searing across the distance in support of the missile cutting into the closest Minbari ships. The effects were devastating, the pinnacle of Dilgar technology concentrated one by one on the smaller Minbari ships deliberately knocking out the frigates and light cruisers that were fast enough to catch the missile.

“Two warcruisers are moving into the path of the missile, one is Neroon's ship.” Shai'jhur reported.

“Continue firing on the light ships with our main weapons, we can't hurt a capital ship at this range.”

“Neroon is almost directly ahead of the missile, if he misses he can ram it.”

“Only if he can see it.” Jha'dur signalled. “Launch nuclear missiles, saturation pattern between Neroon and our special delivery. Let's use a lesson Earth taught us in the last war.”


Neroon's flagship was racing for the interception point, every gun blazing as it tried to stop the Shadow weapon. It still carried damage from the last few battles, its engines melting down with the effort but it didn't matter. Neroon wasn't going to allow such a disaster to befall his people even at the cost of his life and ship.

“Contact in 25 seconds!”

He hoped to shoot it down of course and as the range decreased that chance increased dramatically, but if he could not then he'd stop it by putting his ship in its path. Even that wasn't guaranteed, the missile could simply punch clean through and carry on, but he had nothing else to give.

“Dilgar ships firing on us!”

“Hold course, ignore them!” Neroon snarled.

“Our escorts are down!”

“Hold course! Keep firing!”

The warship pushed on through the void, placing itself ahead of the planet, burning out its weapons with long continuous sweeps of green beams. Behind the Shadow weapon the Dilgar force ripple fired a salvo of missiles, dozens of them that streaked down at exceptional speed. The missiles split after a distance releasing several small nuclear warheads that scattered in front of the Shadow weapon at the most critical moment. Their detonation wasn't very violent but the flash and burst of radiation overloaded the sensors of the warcruiser. In the moment when they had the best chance of hitting the missile they were blind and left to simply lash out wildly.

The projectile burst through the hot nuclear haze at point blank range, the guns unable to track. The warcruiser lunged forward, a final dive to put the massive blue hull in the path of the black stiletto, a last great surge of power throwing Neroon into the missiles path.

It wasn't enough. The black dart barely clipped the bow of the ship leaving a shallow glowing cut in the upper deck of the warcruiser before racing on, the warships guns still handicapped by the bursts of energy from the nukes scrambling their targeting.


“Shadow missile is past us! It broke through our perimeter!” Neroon barked the warning. “We're giving chase but our sensors are recalibrating!”

“Do what you can.” Branmer watched stoically. “Warn ground based defences, have them engage.”

It was little more than a gesture, the ground based planetary defences predated the Shadow War and had only a ghost of a chance.

“Shall we send people to shelters? Warn them?” Delenn asked her breath shortening.

“It won't matter, the Shadows scoured whole planets, wherever it hits there will be no survivors.”

Fighters were still giving chase as the weapon crashed through the debris of the broken station, flitting away from bigger chunks and weaving through the wreckage. The small craft did all they could, but they were too small to have an effect.

“This is the price or our pride, our isolation, our sneering supremacy. This is where all our sins have brought us.” Branmer observed the fall of the Shadow device. “Perhaps this is where our path was leading all along.”


In an instant a blue shape moved from behind the debris of the station, forcing through the wreckage, crashing through. Its hull cracked, debris embedded within it but it dd not matter, the ship made that last desperate push and threw itself into the Shadow projectile. The weapon detonated in a titanic blast immolating the ship and much of the station debris around it in a colossal eruption of light.

“What just happened?” Branmer shot a look to his sensor officers. “Who was that?”

“The Valen'tha.” Delenn answered instead. “It was Coplann.”

Branmer's expression grew stony, he had deployed the Grey Council's ship himself to support Neroon, sent them into harms way. Yet their sacrifice had just saved countless lives, he suddenly found himself regretting many of the harsh words he had exchanged with those who had been on the ship.

“We still have a battle to win.” He spoke simply. “Neroon, destroy the Dilgar command ship. All other units continue to attack.”

“The Council...” Delenn stared at the fading explosion. “They're gone...”

“We can deal with that later, we still have an enemy fleet over our homeworld.” The Shai Alyt nudged. “Now is the time to exploit the situation decisively. Wars can turn on a heartbeat, we must not let this opportunity slip.”

“Of course Shai Alyt.”

“It isn't cruelty Delenn, it is reality. This is the way of leadership.”



*



“Incredibly disappointing.” Jha'dur exhaled. “I really wanted to see how the crystal veins reacted to such massive seismic activity. Next time I'll launch several decoys beside the real missile, live and learn.”

“Minbari ships are rallying Warmaster, they are concentrating on us and our flank. Bombardment group is reporting increasing casualties.” Shai'jhur passed along with some urgency. “Shall we redeploy our line to meet them?”

“No, further battle serves no benefit. Issue the withdrawal order. Disengage and leave the system, retreat by division.”

“Yes Warmaster.”

The Dilgar fleet was unsurprisingly well drilled and had little difficulty extricating itself from battle. The different elements began to open jump points and depart, the Minbari careful to keep their distance allowing the Dilgar to leave without much issue.

“Was I correct in identifying that ship was the home of the Grey Council?”

“Yes Warmaster, but we cannot confirm if they were aboard.”

“Killing them would be a silver lining, and potentially create a succession crisis among the Minbari.” Jha'dur mused. “Perhaps not an entirely wasted journey after all.”

“Jump engines are online.” Shai'jhur kept an eye on the approaching Minbari, presumably led by an extremely angry Neroon. “We can jump but we are still missing Knight Leader.”

“Ari? He didn't land?” Jha'dur raised an eyebrow.

“No Warmaster, he was last seen escorting a human fighter.”

“He probably landed on a closer ship. Continue the jump.” She dismissed. “It would take far more than this to bring him down.”


The Dilgar forces turned their back on Minbar and left, the scene behind them one of chaos, destruction and barely averted armageddon. Branmer had needed something to convince his people to change, Earth had wanted a show of power, the Dilgar had desired a decisive knock out blow. Perhaps all of them had been given what they had wished for.

Deep within the Minbari flagship the Vorlons said nothing, they did not need to. This path was unexpected, unpredicted, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that it led to the same place, the same end result, the same vindication. How the galaxy arrived at that revelation was irrelevant, only that the great contest would have its victor. Order would assert itself over this chaos, they would ensure it.
 

Tryglaw

Well-known member
LC, I'm kind of surprised you didn't use railgun Novas, either conventional or in mobile freight train launcher variant...
;)
Also, I must wonder, whatever happened to Sinclair and Ari'shan?

Also, the Triluminary just got vaporised with along with the Minbari flagship, so unless the Vorlons have a spare one (and seeing as the bloody thing time-trips with every loop of the Circle there's probably just one of them in existence, travelling from one timeline to another every time (if you pardon the pun) the timeline branches out, so they'd need to make one, though that's easy enough for them I suppose...), pulling another Valen revelation won't work.
 

Arlos

Sad Monarchist
Deep within the Minbari flagship the Vorlons said nothing, they did not need to. This path was unexpected, unpredicted, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that it led to the same place, the same end result, the same vindication. How the galaxy arrived at that revelation was irrelevant, only that the great contest would have its victor. Order would assert itself over this chaos, they would ensure it.

As someone not familiar with the setting, I am curious about what the Vorlons actually want?
 

Harlock

I should have expected that really
As someone not familiar with the setting, I am curious about what the Vorlons actually want?

I'll probably expand on it in the future for this setting, but broadly the Vorlons are a very old race in conflict with another very old race known only as Shadows. Both like to manipulate younger worlds into supporting their particular philosophy and fighting over which is right.

Vorlons favour order as the best way to grow, Shadows consider chaos the correct path to evolution. They've been at war over this for countless years. In the near future of B5 (The time of the TV show) this turns into the main conflict for the galaxy
 

Arlos

Sad Monarchist
I'll probably expand on it in the future for this setting, but broadly the Vorlons are a very old race in conflict with another very old race known only as Shadows. Both like to manipulate younger worlds into supporting their particular philosophy and fighting over which is right.

Vorlons favour order as the best way to grow, Shadows consider chaos the correct path to evolution. They've been at war over this for countless years. In the near future of B5 (The time of the TV show) this turns into the main conflict for the galaxy
Ah, that sound like an unpleasant situation for the younger races, why are they not just fighting it out between them and leaving others out of it?
 

Spartan303

In Captain America we Trust!
Administrator
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Osaul
Ah, that sound like an unpleasant situation for the younger races, why are they not just fighting it out between them and leaving others out of it?


It is. This war is one the Vorlons sort of had a hand in creating or at least, their inaction allowed it to come to fruition. But that is mainly because something is created after the war that the Vorlons need. They take it, then send it back into the past to ensure the last great war was won.

Vorlons are playing the long and slow game.
 

Harlock

I should have expected that really
Ah, that sound like an unpleasant situation for the younger races, why are they not just fighting it out between them and leaving others out of it?

Mostly it is because their goal is not to defeat the enemy but to make the enemy see they were wrong. They don't especially want to kill each other, though in the far past they did wage huge wars, they want to be superior and they want the enemies to acknowledge their greatness.

Basically it isn't enough to just kill the other side, they want them humiliated and forced to accept they were wrong. The way they do this is to make younger worlds chose a side, and then fight as proxies. So far there has been no decisive winner, just lots and lots of dead planets.

The show explains it in more detail and there is more to the actual war goals, worth a look if you can find it :)
 
D

Deleted member

Guest
Anyway, @Harlock that was so very Jha'dur when a plan doesn't quite come together... As she's certainly known in the past. Quite matter-of-fact about it, despite the anticipation. Shai'jhur is surely privately relieved.
 

Flintsteel

Sleeping Bolo
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Ah, that sound like an unpleasant situation for the younger races, why are they not just fighting it out between them and leaving others out of it?
Because they Vorlons and the Shadows aren't fighting a war - they're having a philosophical debate. That kills planets. Such is the way with races millions of years old.

Technically, it didn't start as a war. The Vorlons and the Shadows were originally meant to be guides to the younger races, but their disagreements, over the millennia, caused them to get into a heated debate on the value of their respective philosophies. A direct confrontation is pointless, because they are each trying to prove themselves right and the other wrong, and have the other admit that. Which you can't do if they're dead.
 

Tryglaw

Well-known member
@Tryglaw I think there were three Triluminaries canonically anyway.

Hmmm, I don't recall ever seeing more then one, in fact when spoken about singular form is used in specific ("The Triluminary is our most holy relic, it can not be questioned") so just the name would imply tri-(...).
;)
And the one item known would loop back time and again, Sinclair took with him on the B4 trip the same one he was "interrogated" with during the Battle of the Line, then he as Valen would leave it with the Grey Council, only to be "interrogated" again with the next BotL and take it back with the next B4 trip.
 
D

Deleted member

Guest
@Tryglaw the Babylon 5 wiki sources the number of triluminaries to an actual episode of the show, and I seem to remember hearing that.
 

Tryglaw

Well-known member
@Tryglaw the Babylon 5 wiki sources the number of triluminaries to an actual episode of the show, and I seem to remember hearing that.

Hmmm, let me check... OK, here's the link.
It just says there >were< 3 of them in existence, with no source for that statement. Episode indicated just shows the capacity to stun / stasis someone.
Of course, in B5 lore "were / are" are a subjective term, keep in mind how Zathras spoke of The One (One that was, One that is, One that will be).

Also, B5 Wiki, War Without End, pt.2, act 5 description:

"The White Star emerges from the time rift back in 2260. As they exit, the time rift closes and all temporal distortions in Sector 14 cease: its role finished at last. Delenn reveals that this is not the only circle that is closing. She reminds him of the fact that Human and Minbari souls began crossing one thousand years ago. Her transformation into a part-human hybrid was part of an effort to correct this imbalance, but now she reveals an insight into what started it. The Triluminary that brought about her transformation also came from one thousand years ago. Someone had to present the station to the Minbari in the past, and they wouldn't have trusted a human. A stunned Cole realizes the implication: "a Minbari not born of Minbari."

So it could well be just that, the three Triluminaries are in fact: the Triluminary that was (brought by Sinclair -> Valen), one that is (same item, used by Delenn to turn human-like), and will be (used by Sinclair in future / past as the loop is completed once more).

Also, this brings up an interesting point, since the Triluminary used by Grey Council to "test" Sinclair and indicate him to "have the soul of Valen" is literally the same one that Sinclair used to "Valen-ise" himself in previous time-loop, it could well be argued that it's not so much the Triluminary did truly scan and confirm Valen's soul, but simply detect Sinclair's DNA* and go "Oh, it's you again. Like...didn't we do this before? Or do you want another round of the same?"

With Triluminary being "our most holy relic", it's extremely unlikely the Minbari would ever disasseble and analyze it so see what is it exactly, what does it do and how does it do what it does. Much rather they'd put it on a shelf somewhere and venerate it. Thus mistaking a genetic (re)sequencer** for a soul detector.

(*) (**) Because DNA scanning and resequencing is exactly what it does, it turns a Human into Human-Minbari hybrid, then a Minbari into Minbari-Human hybrid. Over and over again. So nothing to do with soul engineering, just plain old genetic one...

In short, Minbari surrendered in BotL for wrong reasons...
;)
 

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